Trusting in Psychotherapy

Solidly grounded in contemporary research, yet appealing to therapists who prioritize the patient-therapist relationship, Trusting in Psychotherapy presents psychotherapy as a craft and embraces the developmental perspective that mastery is the work of a lifetime. In a graceful, conversational style, the author, a psychologist with more than 50 years of experience in both outpatient and hospital practice, melds the scientific and academic with the humanistic and clinical. He contends that the continual development of countless brands of therapy, to the relative neglect of the personal and professional development of therapists, has been detrimental to the practice and progress of psychotherapy. Without questioning their character and motivation, he challenges therapists to focus on becoming trustworthy in each therapeutic relationship.

Incorporating diverse theoretical perspectives, the author addresses generalist psychotherapists who work with patients for whom trusting is problematic, but in its comprehensive understanding written in plain language, the book is potentially of interest to anyone interested in the promotion of trust and trustworthiness in social relationships. The author emphasizes that trust must be created anew in each relationship, and it must be developed, maintained, and repaired when disrupted. Trusting in Psychotherapy is that rare book that speaks to both sides of the therapeutic compact, and its wisdom, rigor, and compassion are as refreshing as they are edifying.