Read more
This is a step-by-step guide to the key skills and techniques of the psychodynamic approach used at each stage of the therapeutic process. Updated in a second edition, the book includes a new chapter on neuropsychology and its implications for theory and practice, new content on working in the NHS and other settings, additional case material and updates to all chapters reflecting recent literature, research and understanding.
List of contents
The Psychodynamic Approach
Becoming a Therapist: The Personal Journey towards Skilled Practice
Becoming a Therapist: Other Ways to Enhance Personal Growth
Therapist as Neurosurgeon: Understanding the Brain and the Implications for Psychotherapy
Setting the Scene for Therapy: The Therapeutic Frame
The First Sessions: The Therapeutic Alliance
Working with Unconscious Communication
The Theory Underlying Technique: Transference and Countertransference
Types of Interpretation
Interpreting the Transference and Countertransference
Understanding and Working with Defences
Managing the Therapeutic Process
Assessment and Formulation
How Do We Know it Works? And Why Has it Been So Difficult to Spread the Good News?
About the author
During her forty year career Susan Howard has worked as both a psychoanalytic psychotherapist and clinical psychologist. Sharing knowledge about the psychodynamic approach with lay people and other professionals has been both a cornerstone and a highlight of her professional career. This included teaching psychotherapy to clinical psychologists at the University of Surrey for over two decades. Now semi-retired, she still has a small private practice focussing on supervision and training. Towards the end of her career she undertook an additional training in Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) which has its roots in the psychodynamic approach. She is currently Chair of IPT UK.
Summary
This is a step-by-step guide to the key skills and techniques of the psychodynamic approach used at each stage of the therapeutic process. It not only addresses how to implement skills, but also why they are being implemented.
Report
Well written and thoughtfully structured, this highly accessible, lively text offers the reader a contemporary and comprehensive introduction to psychodynamic practice. Howard provides lucid explanations of core psychodynamic ideas and skills rooted in engaging clinical illustrations. It will be an invaluable companion both during and beyond training.
Prof Alessandra Lemma
