The Psychotherapist's Own Psychotherapy: Patient and Clinician Perspectives

The Psychotherapist's Own Psychotherapy: Patient and Clinician Perspectives lifts a curtain that has long shrouded the intimate alliances between therapists and those of their patients who share the same profession. In this unique volume, distinguished contributors explore the multi-faceted nature of the psychotherapy of psychotherapists from "both sides of the couch." The first-person narratives, clinical wisdom, and research findings gathered together in this book offer guidance about providing effective treatments to therapist patients. Part I presents multiple theoretical positions that justify and guide the work of therapists' therapists. In Part II, eminent therapists write eloquently and intimately about their own experiences as patients. Their personal reflections offer valuable insights about what is healing and educational about psychotherapy. These narratives are followed by several chapters reviewing scientific research on therapists in personal therapy, including the first report of relevant findings from a major international survey of psychotherapists. In Part III, celebrated therapists from different theoretical orientations offer guidance on conducting therapy with fellow therapists. They reflect on the many challenges, dilemmas, and rewards that arise when two people do the same work. Their chapters offer wisdom and warnings about such issues as power dynamics, boundary maintenance, therapist self-disclosure, the termination process, and the post-termination phase of the relationship. These first-hand accounts are enhanced by research overviews on coducting personal treatment, including a new study of American therapists commissioned for the book. The Psychotherapist's Own Psychotherapy: Patient and Clinician Perspectives is an essential resource for practitioners and students of all orientations and disciplines.

Review :
"This is a rather groundbreaking book that delves into the fascinating area of discussion regarding the therapist's own therapy...Most therapists have, at some time or another, sought out or have provided psychotherapy to one another. Now there is finally an open discussion about it. Recommended!"--Doody's "This is an impressive book. It must have been no small editorial feat to herd 32 different author-cats into producing the 27 drastically different chapters on a topic so loaded with emotional charge as the therapist's own psychotherapy. Yet Jesse Geller, John Norcross, and David Orlinsky have done so with clear vision, editorial muscle, and admirable finesse. Their efforts have yielded an interesting volume which, despite its challenging mix of personal reports from therapist patients, observations from therapists' therapists, and an extensive compilation of research findings, somehow comes together to leave readers with the conviction that they have received the very best available current status report on the topic."--Bill MacGillivray, Editor, Newsletter of the Division of Psychoanalysis "The authors of this book have succeeded in giving material for reflection on the intrinsic values of the relationship in psychotherapy."--Person-Centered and Experiential Psychotherapies "The Psychotherapist's Own Psychotherapy delivers the first comprehensive overview of this imortant subject for an audience that includes graduate students, researchers and practitioners...--New England Psychologist "This is a rather groundbreaking book that delves into the fascinating area of discussion regarding the therapist's own therapy...Most therapists have, at some time or another, sought out or have provided psychotherapy to one another. Now there is finally an open discussion about it. Recommended!"--Doody's "This is an impressive book. It must have been no small editorial feat to herd 32 different author-cats into producing the 27 drastically different chapters on a topic so loaded with emotional charge as the therapist's own psychotherapy. Yet Jesse Geller, John Norcross, and David Orlinsky have done so with clear vision, editorial muscle, and admirable finesse. Their efforts have yielded an interesting volume which, despite its challenging mix of personal reports from therapist patients, observations from therapists' therapists, and an extensive compilation of research findings, somehow comes together to leave readers with the conviction that they have received the very best available current status report on the topic."--Bill MacGillivray, Editor, Newsletter of the Division of Psychoanalysis "Geller, Norcross and Orlinksy have compiled a group of theoretically diverse essays that tackle the topic of the therapist's psychotherapy from both the viewpoint of the therapist-patient, as well as the therapist's therapist. Through various insightful and informative essays, readers are offered a great deal of information on the subject, as well as an emphasis on the importance of psychotherapy for the practicing psychotherapist." --Alexa D'Angelo, United States Association for Body Psychotherapy