A uniquely practical guide and widely adopted text, this book shows precisely what therapists can say at key moments to enhance the process of healing and change. Paul Wachtel explains why some communications in therapy are particularly effective, while others that address essentially the same content may actually be countertherapeutic. He offers clear and specific guidelines for how to ask questions and make comments in ways that facilitate collaborative exploration and promote change. Illustrated with vivid case examples, the book is grounded in an integrative theory that draws from features of psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, systemic, and experiential approaches. New to This Edition * Reflects nearly 20 years of advances in the field and refinements of the author's approach. *Broader audience: in addition to psychodynamic therapists, cognitive-behavioral therapists and others will find specific, user-friendly recommendations. *Chapter on key developments and convergences across different psychotherapeutic approaches. *Chapter on the therapeutic implications of attachment theory and research. See also Wachtel's Relational Theory and the Practice of Psychotherapy, which explores a new direction in psychoanalytic thought that can expand and deepen clinical practice.

A uniquely practical guide and widely adopted text, this book shows precisely what therapists can say at key moments to enhance the process of healing and change. Paul Wachtel explains why some communications in therapy are particularly effective, while others that address essentially the same content may actually be countertherapeutic. He offers clear and specific guidelines for how to ask questions and make comments in ways that facilitate collaborative exploration and promote change. Illustrated with vivid case examples, the book is grounded in an integrative theory that draws from features of psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, systemic, and experiential approaches. New to this edition: reflects nearly 20 years of advances in the field and refinements of the author's approach broader audience: in addition to psychodynamic therapists, cognitive-behavioral therapists and others will find specific, user-friendly recommendations chapter on key developments and convergences across different psychotherapeutic approaches chapter on the therapeutic implications of attachment theory and research.This book will be invaluable to clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, psychiatric nurses, counselors, psychotherapy students and trainees. It will also serve as a text in graduate-level psychotherapy courses.

*Clear, pragmatic, and realistic direction from a distinguished therapist--a portable supervisor in a book. *Wachtel is known for her strengths-based approach. *Interweaves systemic, CBT, experiential, and psychodynamic principles to focus on doing what works rather than theoretical purity, which sets it apart from other books. *Addresses the unique challenges of moving therapy forward with distressed couples and the particular skills therapists need to develop. *Highlights include an epilogue by award-winning therapist Paul Wachtel that situates this work's flexible approach within current scholarly discourse about effective treatment.

*Clear, pragmatic, and realistic direction from a distinguished therapist--a portable supervisor in a book. *Wachtel is known for her strengths-based approach. *Interweaves systemic, CBT, experiential, and psychodynamic principles to focus on doing what works rather than theoretical purity, which sets it apart from other books. *Addresses the unique challenges of moving therapy forward with distressed couples and the particular skills therapists need to develop. *Highlights include an epilogue by award-winning therapist Paul Wachtel that situates this work's flexible approach within current scholarly discourse about effective treatment.

Integrating systemic, psychodynamic, and cognitive-behavioral perspectives, this acclaimed book presents an innovative framework for therapeutic work. Ellen Wachtel shows how parents and children all too often get entangled in patterns that cause grief to both generations, and demonstrates how to help bring about change with a combination of family-focused and child-focused interventions. Vivid case examples illustrate creative ways to engage young children in family sessions and conduct complementary sessions with children and parents alone, using a variety of strengths-based, developmentally informed strategies. The paperback edition features a new preface in which the author reflects on the continuing evolution of her approach.