Object Relations Brief Therapy: The Therapeutic Relationship in Short-Term Work(The Library of Object Relations)

Object Relations Brief Therapy combines practical techniques with the depth of object relations theory, the wisdom of previous brief therapy writers, and, most notably, an emphasis on the unique therapeutic relationship. Often, therapists despair of doing any meaningful work in brief therapy. To this, Michael Stadter suggests the following pragmatic approach, "think dynamically, address some underlying issue(s) and do what you can." Specifically, the book emphasizes the depth of understanding of human experience that comes from an object relations perspective; the insight and experiential vitality of attention to the therapeutic relationship including its real, transferential, and countertransferential elements; the impact of the psychodynamic techniques that have been carefully studied and delineated by brief therapy writers such as Davanloo, Horowitz, Malan, Strupp, and Binder; and the flexibility of an eclectic approach that thoughtfully and selectively incorporates non-psychodynamic interventions. Therapists do not have to "escape" managed care, according to Stadter. Rather, they need to learn how to deal with it in a way that preserves their integrity and enables them to practice the kind of healing psychotherapy they know how to do. In today's health care climate, Object Relations Brief Therapy is a much-needed guide for committed therapists.

About the Author :
Michael Stadter, Ph.D., is a member of the faculties of the International Institute of Object Relations Therapy and the Washington School of Psychiatry.

Review :
This is a thorough, honest, and thoughtful book. It is a pleasure to read and will provide both beginners and experienced brief therapists with much to ponder and readily apply. Stadter skillfully ties the literature together and puts the therapeutic relationship back into brief therapy. Stadter presents a comprehensive, scholarly, and creative synthesis of concepts from object relations theory and principles from various schools of brief therapy. Eschewing a doctrinaire attitude, his way of thinking about and doing brief therapy pragmatically allows for the world of HMOs and managed care, enhancing the sense of usefulness of the often frustrated therapist. His approach is also helpful to the practitioner in the face of the kinds of characterological resistances associated with developmental and structural problems. Rich in clinical examples, this is a book that will increase the clinical wisdom of therapists at all levels of experience.