Psychodynamic psychotherapy arose in reaction to hierarchical, doctor-patient aspects of Freudian psychoanalysis. It emphasizes instead the partnership between therapist and client, and a conscious focus on the power dynamics involved in this inherently unequal relationship. In this book, Joan E. Sarnat describes a relational approach to clinical supervision that is based upon this therapeutic approach. While some clinicians treat the supervisory relationship as entirely distinct from therapy, Sarnat presents a straightforward and ethical framework within which a supervisor uses his or her clinical skills to help supervisees navigate their responses to their work with clients. Clear, concise chapters cover the theoretical and empirical basis for a relational model of supervision, and offer specific recommendations for addressing typical problems related by beginning, intermediate, and advanced supervisees. These include challenges associated with racial and ethnic differences as well as legal and ethical issues that occasionally arise in supervision. Practical matters including documentation, and the format and timing of evaluations, are discussed. The book also includes revealing transcripts and analyses of the author's supervisory sessions with real trainees, including those documented in the author's companion DVD, Relational Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Supervision. Comprehensive yet straightforward, this guide is intended for new and longtime supervisors alike, as well as clinical supervisees seeking a conceptual and practical understanding of this essential relationship.

In the past two decades, many psychodynamic therapists have begun to view the relational processes taking place between patient and therapist as a central source of transformation. Yet traditional paradigms of clinical supervision, focusing primarily on didactic teaching, have limitations for training therapists to work in these new ways. This groundbreaking volume is the first to elaborate a comprehensive contemporary model of supervision. Using a wealth of examples and vignettes, the authors show how working within the vicissitudes of the supervisory relationship can allow the supervisee to gain a deeper understanding of the treatment method being taught. Key topics discussed include issues of power and authority, regression in the supervisory relationship, rethinking the "teach/treat" question, parallel process as a relational phenomenon, working with group process in case conference, and the role of the organization in supporting training. This is a richly informative resource for psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, psychoanalysts, and others involved in clinical supervision and training. It also will serve as a text for courses in supervision and organizational psychology.

Provides first-person, subjective accounts of the supervisory process from the viewpoint of both the supervisor and the supervisee.

"In Relational Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Supervision, guest expert supervisor, Dr. Joan E. Sarnat, demonstrates and discusses this approach to supervision. The goal of relational psychodynamic supervision is to create a more experiential, participatory, and relationship-focused form of supervision, one that not only provides usable psychotherapeutic knowledge and skills, but also facilitates the emotional and relational development that is essential to becoming an effective psychodynamic psychotherapist. In this video, Sarnat and her supervisee engage in a supervisory session, and host Dr. Hanna Levenson interviews them about their work together, exploring the constructs of this model and the nature of the supervisory relationship. In the session, Dr. Sarnat's supervisee conveys that she is frustrated by how her patient is discounting her during the termination phase of therapy. By becoming aware of and working with her own feelings of frustration within the session, Dr. Sarnat demonstrates the art of using a reenactment to help the supervisee deepen her awareness and thereby facilitate the therapy."--

Winner of the 2014 Goethe Award for Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic Scholarship! A Relational Psychoanalytic Approach to Couples Psychotherapy presents an original model of couples treatment integrating ideas from a host of authors in relational psychoanalysis. It also includes other psychoanalytic traditions as well as ideas from other social sciences. This book addresses a vacuum in contemporary psychoanalysis devoid of a comprehensively relational way to think about the practice of psychoanalytically oriented couples treatment. In this book,Philip Ringstrom sets out a theory of practice that is based on three broad themes: The actualization of self experience in an intimate relationship The partners' capacity for mutual recognition versus mutual negation The relationship having a mind of its own Based on these three themes, Ringstrom's model of treatment is articulated in six non-linear, non-hierarchical steps that wed theory with practice - each powerfully illustrated with case material. These steps initially address the therapist’s attunement to the partners' disparate subjectivities including the critical importance of each one's perspective on the "reality" they co-habit.Their perspectives are fleshed out through the exploration of their developmental histories with focus on factors of gender and culture and more. Out of this arises the examination of how conflictual pasts manifest in dissociated self-states, the illumination of which lends to the enrichment of self-actualization, the facilitation of mutual recognition, and the capacity to more genuinely renegotiate their relationship. The book concludes with a chapter that illustrates one couple treated through all six steps and a chapter on frequently asked questions ("FAQ's") derived from over thirty years of practice, teaching, supervision and presentations during the course of this books development. A Relational Psychoanalytic Approach to Couples Psychotherapy balances a great range of ways to work with couples, while also providing the means to authentically negotiate their differences in a way which is insightful and invaluable. This book is for practitioners of couples therapy and psychoanalytic practitioners. It is also aimed at undergraduate, graduates, and postgraduate students in the fields of psychiatry, psychology, marriage and family therapy, and social work.

Core Competencies of Relational Psychoanalysis provides a concise and clearly presented handbook for those who wish to study, practice, and teach the core competencies of Relational Psychoanalysis, offering primary skills in a straightforward and useable format. Roy E. Barsness offers his own research on technique and grounds these methods with superb contributions from several master clinicians, expanding the seven primary competencies: therapeutic intent, therapeutic stance/attitude; analytic listening/attunement; working within the relational dynamic, the use of patterning and linking; the importance of working through the inevitable enactments and ruptures inherent in the work; and the use of courageous speech through disciplined spontaneity. In addition, this book presents a history of Relational Psychoanalysis, offers a study on the efficacy of Relational Psychoanalysis, proposes a new relational ethic and attends to the the importance of self-care in working within the intensity of such a model. A critique of the model is offered, issues of race and culture and gender and sexuality are addressed, as well as current research on neurobiology and its impact in the development of the model. The reader will find the writings easy to understand and accessible, and immediately applicable within the therapeutic setting. The practical emphasis of this text will also offer non-analytic clinicians a window into the mind of the analyst, while increasing the settings and populations in which this model can be applied and facilitate integration with other therapeutic orientations. Core Competencies of Relational Psychoanalysis is inspired by Barsness’ students; he was motivated to create a primary text that could assist them in understanding the often complex and abstract models of Relational Psychoanalysis. Relevant for graduate students and novice therapists as well as experienced clinicians, supervisors, and professors, this textbook offers a foundational curriculum for the study of Relational Psychoanalysis, presents analytic technique with as clear a frame and purpose as evidenced based models, and serves as a gateway into further study in Relational Psychoanalyses.

Drawing on deep reserves of experience and theoretical and research knowledge, Nancy McWilliams presents a fresh perspective on psychodynamic supervision in this highly instructive work. McWilliams examines the role of the supervisor in developing the therapist's clinical skills, giving support, helping to formulate and monitor treatment goals, and providing input on ethical dilemmas. Filled with candid clinical examples, the book addresses both individual and group supervision. Special attention is given to navigating personality dynamics, power imbalances, and various dimensions of diversity in the supervisory dyad. McWilliams guides mentors and mentees alike to optimize this unique relationship as a resource for lifelong professional learning and growth.

The Art of Relational Supervision demonstrates the clinical implications of the relational approach when applied to supervision. Describing her philosophical and theoretical rationale for setting up relational supervision groups, Helena Hargaden’s goal in supervision is to reveal the relational unconscious within the client/therapist relationship. Here, with chapters from members of these groups, the vitality of supervision is brought to life as the clinical implications of the therapist's internal world are highlighted by group members. The complexity of group dynamics are explored and psychotherapists show how this positively affects their work with clients and patients. The main themes examined in the book are the: Bi-directionality of the relational unconscious Ubiquity of therapeutic enactments and ruptures Intuitive use of improvisation Co-creation of the intersubjective third – the analytic third Focus on mutuality and reciprocity Filled with case study examples, readers of The Art of Relational Supervision will gain a deep insight into the complex dynamics which form an integral part of any supervision and discover how, this type of relational approach strengthens the therapeutic relationship to bring about significant psychological change for the client. It will be an invaluable resource for psychotherapists, counsellors and psychologists.

For many therapists, conflict with their clients, whether overt or subtle, can be a frustrating impediment to change. The same is true for clinical supervisors, who must juggle trainees' relationships with their clients alongside the complex and often charged interactions that take place during the supervisory hour. This book provides a blueprint to help supervisors navigate the most challenging dilemmas and conflicts that arise in the supervisory process. These include addressing skill deficits and competency concerns, working through role conflicts, and ethnicity and gender-related misunderstandings. Because these interpersonal dilemmas can be so challenging, they often represent a golden opportunity for real progress, in psychotherapy and supervision alike. With the aid of detailed and compelling case examples, the authors present a process model that offers specific strategies - such as exploration of feelings, focus on self-efficacy, and attention to parallel processes - that together enable supervisors and trainees to successfully resolve the problem at hand and achieve lasting success. This theoretically-grounded text is appropriate for supervisors and trainees of all theoretical orientations.

'Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.' Carl Jung The essence of successful therapy is the relationship, a dance of growing trust and understanding between the therapist and the patient. It is an intimate, messy, often surprising and sometimes confusing business - but when it works, it's life-changing. Gill Straker and Jacqui Winship, two esteemed Sydney-based psychotherapists, bring us nine inspiring stories of transformation. They introduce us to their clients, fictional amalgams of real-life cases, and reveal how the art of talking and listening helps us understand deep-seated issues that profoundly influence who we are in the world and how we see ourselves in relation to others. We come to understand that the transformative power of the therapeutic relationship can be replicated in our everyday lives by the simple practice of paying attention and being present with those we love. Whether you have experienced therapy (or are tempted to try it), or you are just intrigued by the possibilities of a little-understood but transformative process, this wise and compassionate book will deepen your understanding of what it is to be open to connection - and your appreciation that to be human is to be a little bit mad.