A half-century of psychotherapy research has shown that the quality of the therapeutic alliance is the most robust predictor of treatment success. This unique book provides a systematic framework for negotiating ruptures and strains in the therapeutic alliance and transforming them into therapeutic breakthroughs. Cutting-edge developments in psychoanalysis and other modalities are synthesized with original research and clinical wisdom gleaned from years of work in the field. The result is a practical and highly sophisticated guide that spells out clear principles of intervention while at the same time inspiring therapists toward greater creativity.

A combination of social and economic factors have led to the current surge of interest in brief psychotherapy. But how do the time limitations affect the central relationship between therapist and client? How do therapist and client determine the focus of their work together? How does the therapist deal with ruptures in the working alliance and the pressure of termination issues?

Introduction : Pressure in the therapeutic relationship -- The Science of performance under pressure -- The Science of the therapist under pressure -- From emotion to rupture -- From emotion to repair -- The Way to Therapist Training -- The Way to therapist Self-care -- Conclusion : In the pressure cooker.

Following on the success of the bestselling Cognitive Therapy: Basics and Beyond, this groundbreaking book from Judith S. Beck addresses what to do when a patient is not making progress in cognitive-behavioral therapy. Provided is practical, step-by-step guidance on conceptualizing and solving frequently encountered problems, whether in developing and maintaining the therapeutic alliance or in accomplishing specific therapeutic tasks. While the framework presented is applicable to a range of challenging clinical situations, particular attention is given to modifying the longstanding distorted beliefs and dysfunctional behavioral strategies of people with personality disorders. Helpful appendices include a reproducible assessment tool, and the Personality Belief Questionnaire.

In the past decade, the working alliance has emerged as possibly the most important conceptualization of the common elements in diverse therapy modalities. Created to define the relationship between a client in therapy or counseling and the client's therapist, it is a way of looking at and examining the vagaries and expectations and commitments previously implicit in the therapeutic relationship, explaining the cooperative aspects of the alliance between the two parties.

What makes therapy work? Clearly, the therapeutic alliance is an important component of a successful relationship between therapist and client, but how does it fit into the relationship more broadly conceived? A better question might be "What works with whom and in which circumstances?' In this unique book, master clinicians and psychotherapy researchers examine how technique and the therapeutic relationship are inseparably intertwined. Using a variety of theoretical and research "lenses" and drawing on various models of psychotherapy, including psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, emotion-focused therapy, and brief family therapy, the contributors discuss the factors affecting client outcomes. The link between relationship processes and technique is bought to life in a rich array of engaging case studies that demonstrate how successful therapists negotiate the relationship, make key moment-to-moment decisions, and promote positive change in their clients.

Working Alliance Skills for Mental Health Professionals is intended for students in counseling and for professional level practitioners interested in learning how to establish and maintain the working alliance. The book can also be targeted to the broader mental health care community, including seasoned clinical psychology professionals, training programs in counseling and clinical psychology, and students in social work.

Geared toward practicing therapists and supervisors who help novice psychotherapists deal with the potential harmful emotions they may experience in their training, The book draws on integrative and relational psychotherapy, research on the therapeutic alliance, and social psychology research on the reattribution of motive.

Although the therapeutic relationship is a major contributor to therapeutic outcomes, the cognitive behavioral psychotherapies have not explored this aspect in any detail. This book addresses this shortfall and explores the therapeutic relationship from a range of different perspectives within cognitive behavioral and emotion focused therapy traditions. The Therapeutic Relationship in the Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapies covers new research on basic models of the process of the therapeutic relationship, and explores key issues related to developing emotional sensitivity, empathic understanding, mindfulness, compassion and validation within the therapeutic relationship. The contributors draw on their extensive experience in different schools of cognitive behavioral therapy to address their understanding and use of the therapeutic relationship. Subjects covered include: · the process and changing nature of the therapeutic relationship over time · recognizing and resolving ruptures in the therapeutic alliance · the role of evolved social needs and compassion in the therapeutic relationship · the therapeutic relationship with difficult to engage clients · self and self-reflection in the therapeutic relationship. This book will be of great interest to all psychotherapists who want to deepen their understanding of the therapeutic relationship, especially those who wish to follow cognitive behavioral approaches.

Praise for the First Edition: `An excellently edited book... It touches upon the core philosophical bases of psychodynamic/psychoanalytic, cognitive and humanistic counselling, and explores the complicated and sometimes contradictory nature of contracting within these approaches... The book is written in an accessible language and often uses very powerful imagery to underline its message... I found this book to be extremely stimulating, accessible and readable. I recommend it to all people interested in counselling, and particularly to students of counselling at all levels′ - British Journal of Guidance and Counselling Contracts in Counselling and Psychotherapy, Second Edition is a practical guide to an essential area of professional knowledge and skills. Any kind of therapeutic relationship requires an agreement between practitioner and client at the outset. When contracting with clients, practitioners need to consider a whole range of factors including: " goals of counselling " theoretical orientation " brief or open-ended counselling " different personality types " ethical and legal issues. This book provides a unique guide to the nature of counselling contracts, why they are needed and how they are made. For the second edition, the book has been thoroughly updated to take account of the BACP ethical framework. Two new chapters have been added covering the legal aspects of contracting, and how to make contracts with trainees. Contracts in Counselling and Psychotherapy, Second Edition is an authoritative source of information and practical guidance for trainees and practitioners in counselling and psychotherapy. Charlotte Sills is Visiting Professor at Middlesex University, and Head of Transactional Analysis Department at Metanoia Institute, London