The Present Moment in Psychotherapy and Everyday Life

by Daniel N. Stern

While most psychotherapies agree that therapeutic work in the 'here and now' has the greatest power to bring about change, few if any books have ever addressed the problem of what 'here and now' actually means. Beginning with the claim that we are psychologically alive only in the now, internationally acclaimed child psychiatrist Daniel N. Stern tackles vexing yet fascinating questions such as: what is the nature of 'nowness'? How is 'now' experienced between two people? What do present moments have to do with therapeutic growth and change?

Certain moments of shared immediate experience, such as a knowing glance across a dinner table, are paradigmatic of what Stern shows to be the core of human experience, the 3 to 5 seconds he identifies as 'the present moment.' By placing the present moment at the center of psychotherapy, Stern alters our ideas about how therapeutic change occurs, and about what is significant in therapy. As much a meditation on the problems of memory and experience as it is a call to appreciate every moment of experience, The Present Moment is a must-read for all who are interested in the latest thinking about human experience.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Psychoanalysis

320 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2003

Reviews

[Sheziss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Al principio es una 'rallada' mental. Pero luego se despliega y me pareció muy revelador. Permite entender muchas cosas, conceptos que permanecían en el umbral de la consciencia pero no se nombraban. Es bonito bautizar aquello a lo que no eras capaz de ponerle palabras.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A review of a psychotherapy book won't capture everyone's attention, but if you're in the field, it should! I happen to greatly enjoy readings and theories related to the Intersubjective Matrix, and I have enjoyed Daniel Stern in the past for his mother infant/dream work, even before such a new angle was offered to us. I really enjoyed and loved the synthesis of work presented by Stern and the Boston Change Process Group, and I learned a lot. I also agree with his ideas that the intersubjective matrix is often implicit knowing and not necessarily enhanced by interpretation/intervention. And that its on-going in small moments, every moment, its not just about the big enactments, or the reveries. Its about the constant shift and dynamic and recognization of how were all connected. And that therapy contexts, and relational contexts, and mothering contexts, enhance that tremendously. Simply loved it.

On the psychology side, now re-reading and re-enjoying "The Uses of Enchantment," by Bruno Bettleheim, recommended as a re-read by one of my mentors, for use in conceptualizing modern parenting. Also reading a doctoral thesis which is quite good, and will be a strong contribution to our field. Finally, preparing for a course beginning next week on Ogden. I'll keep you posted.

On the fiction side, between books, (what a rare state) and will soon start either The Postmistress, which can fit in my purse, or James McBride (Color of Water) Song Yet Sung, (large size book) which hasn't yet been picked up from the library, and will be due three weeks as soon as it is. I had to return it last time, because my focus went to other places. Suggestions of which way to go, let me know. I am leaning towards Postmistress, as I'm quite drawn to it... Happy Reading, Amy...

[BBJones_91 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un'ottica microanalitica sulla psicoterapia. I concetti di momento presente-momento ora-momento incontro sono un esempio mirabile dell'abilità di Stern di parlare di ciò che é impronunciabile senza tradirne l'ineffabilità.

[LRKK · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stern’s 1985 ‘The Interpersonal World of the Infant’ was, and remains, a seminal work of great importance for infant development studies and psychotherapy. His 1995 ‘The Motherhood Constellation’ is smart and important. This 2004 effort is thinner, and far too ambitious for its actual content, but contains enough of interest to merit a read, but not close study.

[Amit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Microanalysis of the present moment, brilliant!
Have only read it partly, but I really hope this book will have an impact that brings health and presence both within the therapeutic community and elswhere.

[Ley30uk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the concept of this book and I wish Stern had lived long enough to add to his work on the present moment in Psychotherapy.

[Cathy Hasty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This explains pretty much everything I've ever half thought, but never been able to articulate.

[Theo Tkachuk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could've been a medium post. Also "a world in a grain of sand" was repeated like 200 times 😁 I get that author liked the phrase, but come on.

[Evil Secret Ninja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Check out my youtube channel where I review books
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg4e...

I am not sure of my take away from this book. In therapy you focus on the present moment because that is what is going on so I don't feel like I learned anything new or useful in this book. It was also very technical explaining how long the present moment existed (3 to 10 seconds) and it took a lot of space to explain it. It just wasn't that great. The examples of using present moment in a therapy session were just weird there didn't seem a need to explain what every grunt and groan meant in the session.

[Jason]

p. 178