Relational Theory and the Practice of Psychotherapy

Psychoanalysis, as opposed to psychotherapy, has fallen out of favor in the past generation. Freud's theories that all psychoses derive from childhood experiences have been shown to be flawed. Wachtel (clinical psychology, CUNY) argues against throwing the baby out with the bathwater. He proposes the use of relational theory, a term that has yet to be firmly defined, due to its use in a number of disparate conditions. One of the goals of this book is to find a clear meaning for the term, both referring to how people relate to each other but where they are in relation to each other. He blends this with traditional forms of analysis covering a number of situations for which people consult a therapist. He concludes by reminding the practitioner that there is no one "right" method and that listening to the patient is the first responsibility of a good therapist. Annotation c2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)