Cambridge Guide to Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

Reviews / Votes

'Unlike psychoanalytic authors whose writing is oriented mainly toward colleagues with extensive analytic training, these contributors intend their chapters to reach audiences that may be new to a psychoanalytic frame of reference, or sceptical of it, or confused by it. Somehow, they have also made the book interesting and clinically relevant to experienced psychoanalytic readers ... I know from experience that it is not easy to produce a multi-authored compendium whose final product embodies an overall continuity and integration, and so I am impressed that the authors of this volume have managed that feat. I urge readers of all mental health disciplines, professional involvements, and theoretical orientations to spend time with this worthy and important book. I think you will find it as fascinating and clinically helpful as I did.' Nancy McWilliams, Ph.D., Distinguished Retired Professor, Rutgers Graduate School of Applied & Professional Psychology 'I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and found it accessible and informative. The various authors conveyed the principles, practices, research, theories, and history of psychoanalysis in a way that was engaging and easy to understand, even for those such as myself, from outside the field. For clinicians (specialists and generalists alike) understanding the unconscious processes taking place in the consulting room can be invaluable in delivering effective care to our patients, and this book was able to provide insights into this important area.' Dame Clare Gerada, President, Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), PRCGP FRCPsych FRCP (Hons) 'This excellent book does exactly what it says it will; to be a guide to what psychodynamic psychotherapy is, how to do it well and for whom it works best. For too long, psychodynamic psychotherapy has been plagued by what we now might call 'deep fakes'; first, that the idea that psychological therapists who think this way holds strange and esoteric sets of beliefs about how the mind works, and second, that there is no evidence that treatments based on this paradigm might be helpful. This helpful book outlines why both ideas have been conclusively proved wrong. I have no doubt that the future of psychiatry needs to be psychodynamic, and this book shows why psychodynamic thinking applied to psychiatry not only makes it more interesting, but makes us as psychiatrists more human and more effective.' Gwen Adshead, Consultant forensic psychiatrist and psychotherapist, Broadmoor Hospital, Berkshire 'The book demonstrates the ways in which psychodynamic psychotherapy can be applied with different diagnostic conditions. It describes important techniques and explains their use in clinical examples. Readers will not be disappointed with this wonderful publication.' Gary B. Kaniuk, Doody's Reviews 'It is a daunting task to undertake an intensive guide to the whole history and practice of psychodynamic psychotherapy. It is to the great credit of the authors and editors involved in the creation of this book that this has been carried out to such a high standard. It is not a textbook, despite being a comprehensive account of the field. It is not didactic or prescriptive enough for that, despite the clarity of presentation. The reader is introduced to the ambiguities and contradictions inherent in the work in a readable way, with many illuminating case histories and anecdotes. The comprehensive references and cross-referencing throughout the book provide the reader with opportunities to explore particular issues further should they wish to ... I found this book to be a clear, thoughtful text which sets out the methods and scope of the general psychodynamic principles that underpin psychotherapy in all settings. I therefore recommend it to you.' Sandra Grant, International Journal of Forensic Psychotherapy 'Where the book excels is in its ability to bridge the theoretical and the practical. The chapters on technique are a treasure trove for clinicians... This guide changed the way I think about psychotherapy. It reminded me that beneath the observable symptoms and diagnoses lies a deeper narrative - of relationships, conflicts and unconscious patterns - waiting to be understood. It is not a book to be read passively; it is a conversation with a tradition, a call to engage with the emotional and relational complexities of human experience. For that, it deserves a place not only on the shelf but in the mind of every reflective practitioner.' Vullong Kwarkas, The British Journal of Psychiatry