Principles and Practices of Relational Psychotherapy

This book provides an overview of the basic principles in relational therapy, which, in combination with the latest research about the significance of the therapeutic relationship, makes it possible to present practical therapeutic tools and techniques to help the therapist make optimal use of the interaction between patient and therapist.

It presents models and concepts in relational psychotherapy that may contribute to the patient?s development of relational and emotional competence, and to more authentic and meaningful ways of living with oneself and others. The book specially emphasizes the significance of the mutually constructed emotional interplay as the material for key experiences in the development of the patient ? and therapist.

The focus is on the usefulness of relational principles and research findings in psychotherapies of shorter duration, in primary care, psychiatric clinics, and private practice.

Rich in clinical examples, Principles and Practices of Relational Psychotherapy is an extremely useful resource for psychotherapists and clinical psychologists in training and practice.

Foreword; PART I Principles; 1. Invitation; 2. Empirical studies; 3. The road to the relational perspective; 4. Problems in relating; 5. Theoretical principles; 6. Problems, goals, procedures, and processes; 7. Affects, attachment, and mentalizing in the therapeutic relationship; 8. Support and challenge; 9. Recipes and tools; PART II Practices; 10. David; 11. Try to understand who the patient is; 12. Listen for your own thoughts, fantasies, and feelings; 13. Stay in the present, be concrete and specific; 14. Be spontaneous, be genuine, and talk about your reactions; 15. Be mindful of the affective interplay; 16. Attend to the common potential space; 17. Listen for conflicts, stay in conflicts; 18. Meta-communication; 19. Model mentalizing; 20. See the patient from the outside; 21. See yourself from within; 22. How to develop as a relational psychotherapist; References; Index

Rolf Holmqvist is a Professor of Clinical Psychology at Linköping University, Sweden, where he researches and teaches in psychotherapy. He has worked as a psychotherapist and clinical supervisor for 50 years.