Michael Eigen

Michael (Mike) Eigen (born January 11, 1936) is an American psychologist and psychoanalyst. Eigen is known for his work with patients "who had been given up on by others", including people who experience psychosis.

Biography Eigen was born in Passaic, New Jersey, to a Jewish family, the son of Jeanette (née Brody), a teacher, and Sol, a lawyer. Eigen received his B.A. (with honors) in 1957 from the University of Pennsylvania and his PhD in 1974 from The New School. They have two sons, David and Jacob.

Therapeutic approach Eigen relates to his patients with humility and curiosity. He learns from his patients.

Mysticism Eigen integrates mysticism and spirituality into his work with psychoanalysis. He draws on the work of a number of analysts and spiritual traditions in this work.

Writings

Selected articles "On Breathing and Identity". Journal of Humanistic Psychology, (1977) 17(3), 35–39. 10.1177/002216787701700304 "The Area of Faith in Winnicott, Lacan, and Bion". International Journal of the Psychoanalytic Association, (1981) 64: 413-33 "Dream Images". Journal of Religion and Health, (2004) 43(2), 115–122. "Beginnings and Endings in Therapy". ISPS-US Newsletter, (2007) 8(2): 8. "Incommunicado core and boundless supporting unknown". European Journal of Psychotherapy & Counselling, (2007) 9: 415-22 "Life kills, aliveness kills". New Therapist, (2012) 76 The Bad Edition. "O, Orgasm and Beyond". Psychoanalytic Dialogues, (2015) 25(5), 646–654. "Affect Images and States". The Journal of Humanistic Psychology, (2019) 59(5), 714–719.

Books

The Psychotic Core (1986) The Electrified Tightrope (1993) Psychic Deadness (1996) Toxic Nourishment (1999) Ecstasy (2001) Damaged Bonds (2001) Age of Psychopathy (2006) Dialogues with Michael Eigen: Psyche Singing, ed.: Loray Daws (2019) Eigen in Seoul Volume Three: Pain and Beauty, Terror and Wonder (2021)