Guntrip believed that the self is formed through the subject's early experiences with their caregivers, and he saw the development of a healthy, integrated self as the central goal of psychoanalytic treatment. He used the term "ego self" to refer to the core aspect of the self that emerges from the subject's internalization of the object, particularly their experience of being loved and nurtured by a caregiver.
Guntrip saw the ego self as a coherent, stable, and integrated aspect of the personality that provides a sense of continuity and identity over time. He believed that the development of a healthy ego self requires a caregiver who is capable of providing the subject with a secure base for exploration and a safe haven for emotional regulation.
However, Guntrip also recognized that the development of a healthy ego self is often disrupted by early experiences of neglect, rejection, or abuse. In these cases, the subject may develop a "fragmented self," which is characterized by a lack of coherence, instability, and a sense of disconnection from others.
Overall, Guntrip's use of the term "self" emphasizes the importance of understanding the subject's internal experience and sense of identity in relation to their early experiences with caregivers, and the development of a healthy, integrated ego self as a central goal of psychoanalytic treatment.