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.

Acknowledgment -- Current research and history of relational psychoanalysis -- Core competencies : a qualitative study / Roy Barsness -- The case for psychoanalysis : exploring the scientific evidence / John Thor Cornelius, Chapter 3: THE RELATIONAL TRADITION: LANDSCAPE AND CANON -- Adrienne harris -- Core competencies -- Competency one : therapeutic intent / Steven Tublin -- Competency two : therapeutic stance/attitude / Nancy McWilliams -- Competency three : deep listening/affective attunement / Stuart Pizer -- Competency four: relational dynamic : the there and then and the here and now / Lewis Aron -- Competency five : patterning and linking / Steven Knoblauch -- Competency six : repetition and working through / Karen Maroda -- Competency seven : courageous speech/displined spontaneity / Roy Barsness & Brad Strawn -- Core competency : love / Daniel Shaw -- New frontiers -- Relational ethics / Roy Barsness & Brad Strawn -- The brain and psychoanalysis / Allan Schore -- Sexuality and gender / Karol Marshall & Roy Barsness -- Culture considerations / Pratyusha Tummala-Narra -- Self care / Roy Barsness & Anita Sorenson -- A critique -- Critique of relational psychoanalysis / Jon Mills with a postscript by Steven Kuchuck

Acknowledgment -- Current research and history of relational psychoanalysis -- Core competencies : a qualitative study / Roy Barsness -- The case for psychoanalysis : exploring the scientific evidence / John Thor Cornelius, Chapter 3: THE RELATIONAL TRADITION: LANDSCAPE AND CANON -- Adrienne harris -- Core competencies -- Competency one : therapeutic intent / Steven Tublin -- Competency two : therapeutic stance/attitude / Nancy McWilliams -- Competency three : deep listening/affective attunement / Stuart Pizer -- Competency four: relational dynamic : the there and then and the here and now / Lewis Aron -- Competency five : patterning and linking / Steven Knoblauch -- Competency six : repetition and working through / Karen Maroda -- Competency seven : courageous speech/displined spontaneity / Roy Barsness & Brad Strawn -- Core competency : love / Daniel Shaw -- New frontiers -- Relational ethics / Roy Barsness & Brad Strawn -- The brain and psychoanalysis / Allan Schore -- Sexuality and gender / Karol Marshall & Roy Barsness -- Culture considerations / Pratyusha Tummala-Narra -- Self care / Roy Barsness & Anita Sorenson -- A critique -- Critique of relational psychoanalysis / Jon Mills with a postscript by Steven Kuchuck

Ever since its nascent days, psychoanalysis has enjoyed an uneasy coexistence with religion. However, in recent decades, many analysts have been more interested in the healing potential of both psychoanalytic and religious experience and have explored how their respective narrative underpinnings may be remarkably similar. In Toward Mutual Recognition, Marie T. Hoffman takes just such an approach. Coming from a Christian perspective, she suggests that the current relational turn in psychoanalysis has been influenced by numerous theorists - analysts and philosophers alike - who were themselves shaped by an embedded Christian narrative. As a result, the redemptive concepts of incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection - central to the tenets of Christianity - can be traced to relational theories, emerging analogously in the transformative process of mutual recognition in the concepts of identification, surrender, and gratitude, a trilogy which she develops as forming the "path of recognition." Each movement on this path of recognition is given thought-provoking, in-depth attention. Chapters dedicated to theoretical perspectives utilize the thinking of Benjamin, Hegel, and Ricoeur. In her historical perspectives, she explores the personal and professional histories of analysts such as Sullivan, Fairbairn, Winnicott, Erikson, Kohut, and Ferenczi, among others, who were influenced by the Christian narrative. Uniting it all together is the clinical perspective offered in the compelling extended case history of Mandy, a young lady whose treatment embodies and exemplifies each of the steps along the path of growth in both the psychoanalytic and Christian senses. Throughout, a relational sensibility is deployed as a cooperative counterpart to the Christian narrative, working both as a consilient dialogue and a vehicle for further integrative exploration. As a result, the specter of psychoanalysis and religion as mutually exclusive gives way to the hope and redemption offered by their mutual recognition.

In the relational literature, the subject of termination - the ending of an analysis - has received scant attention, and traditional Freudian or ego-psychological criteria are not always enough to assess the readiness to terminate therapy in the coconstructed, intersubjective analytic relationship. Good Enough Endings seeks to remedy this gap, bringing together contributions from contemporary relational thinkers, while at the same time engaging with ideas from other psychoanalytic perspectives. Topics given consideration include: Can there be a relational criteria or paradigm for termination, and what would it include? How do treatment goals of the analyst and/or that of the patient affect the decision to terminate? How do recent developments in attachment theory and research influence the preparation to end analysis? What occurs for the patient after termination, and how do we assess the need for follow-up? Integrating elements of existing psychoanalytic theory with the fruits of the relational turn, Good Enough Endings expands and expounds upon the relational considerations in ending analysis, providing a resource for reflection and insight into the final - and perhaps most difficult - aspect of psychoanalytic treatment.

In this update of Dr. Wachtel's seminal work, Psychoanalysis and Behavior Therapy, the author has developed a new integrative theory, cyclical psychodynamics, that has reworked traditional psychoanalytic concepts and proved capable of addressing observations and clinical experiences on which both psychoanalytic and behavioral theories are based. Psychoanalysis, Behavior Therapy, and the Relational World carefully examines the implications of new developments in both psychoanalytic and behavioral approaches and significantly extends the cyclical psychodynamic model clinically and theoretically. The book addresses the increasingly powerful influence of cognitive perspectives in the thinking of behavior therapists and the emergence of a distinctive and integrative "relational" point of view in psychoanalysis. Both developments have been incorporated into the evolving cyclical psychodynamic model, as has increasing attention to the systemic point of view that guides the work of family therapists. In addition, this book introduces the reader to an innovative approach to the therapist's use of language. Dr. Wachtel considers in detail what the therapist says and how his or her choice of words can enhance or impede the therapeutic process. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2004 APA, all rights reserved)

This book identifies the core competencies shared by expert therapists and helps clinicians—especially those providing brief dynamic/interpersonal therapy—to develop and apply them in their own work. Rather than being a cookbook of particular techniques, the book richly describes therapists' mental processes and moment-to-moment actions as they engage in effective therapeutic inquiry and improvise to help patients achieve their goals. The author integrates the psychotherapy and cognitive science literatures to provide a unique understanding of therapist expertise. Featuring many illustrative examples, the book offers fresh insights into how learning and interpersonal skills can be enhanced for both therapist and client.