How Can Talking Help?

This book is about the positive forces at work in a psychotherapeutic relationship. Over the years the study of therapeutic failures has led to advances in understanding and consequent changes in technique expanding the range of psychological disturbances capable of being treated effectively. Information on those forces that further progress has grown, and it is now possible to be more specific in determining what is most likely to be curative with a given patient. Understanding what is required of a therapist at each step along the way is a complex task. This may require the therapist's sensitive reading of the nonverbal aspects of the therapeutic interaction, which places emphasis on the therapist's intuitive and empathic responses for discerning what is necessary. An environment conducive to trial-and-error methods has to be created, for it is the cure that determines the cause. It is crucial to become more aware of the early signs of an incipient mistake, for then it may be possible to absorb the detrimental effects and even turn the negative features into therapeutic gain. This book brings out just what factors in a therapist's conduct and personality are growth promoting. It focuses attention on both the therapist's and the patient's contribution to the therapeutic interaction and examines the place of interpretations leading to insight. The book shows how to encourage constructive positive identifications. It explores the positive effects of profound regressive experiences. The book details the significance of a therapist's subjective responses, defining the role of empathy and countertransference. It outlines the patient's contribution, illustrating the distinction betweenacting out and reenacting preverbal experiences. Finally, it concisely summarizes the forces that further growth in the psychotherapeutic process.