Practical Psychoanalysis for Therapists and Patients

by Owen Renik

A clear and readable how-to manual for results-oriented psychoanalysis.

By now, the term "practical psychoanalysis" has become an oxymoron. The way psychoanalytic treatment is generally conducted is extremely impractical and doesn't serve the needs of the vast majority of potential patients, who want to achieve maximum relief from emotional distress as quickly as possible. This unfortunate state of affairs is ironic, considering that psychoanalysis became popular on the basis of its therapeutic efficacy.

In this essential new book, Owen Renik describes how clinical psychoanalysis can focus on symptom relief and deliver results efficiently. With a humane, direct, and engaging voice, he takes up how to begin treatment, how to end it, and how to deal with the in-between. He offers chapters on the therapy of panic attacks and depersonalization, on how to get out of an impasse, on the relation between sexual desire and power in the analytic relationship, on patients who seem to want to sabotage their treatments, on flying blind as an analyst, and on a number of other intriguing, important practical topics. Renik's down-to-earth presentation and discussion of clinical anecdotes, combined with useful recommendations for both analyst and patient, amounts to a clear and readable how-to manual. The book is intended for all mental health caregivers, patients and potential patients, and for anyone who is curious about what makes for effective, helpful psychotherapy.

Genres: Psychology, Psychoanalysis, Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published September 5, 2006

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice book that is jargon free and very specific about how psychoanalysis actually looks and helps people. It has helped me to feel more free to intervene in creative ways, and less concerned about secretly wanting to be a blank slate. Renik keeps it real with his clients, and it's an approach I admire.

[D · Rating 2 out of 5]

Generally an approachable read in analytic case study. However, after getting through a few cases, you begin to realize the author's account of the proceedings and outcomes is suspect.

Almost every case follows the same pattern: patient is stuck; author thinks of brilliant, silver-bullet idea or says just the right thing to trigger a devastating, long-lost traumatic memory; patient is suddenly, miraculously cured. It's not realistic and sounds an awful lot like these patients were dismissed as "fixed" rather prematurely. I think this guy is blinded by his ego / need to see himself as helpful (as many doctors are).

[Kavie]

“The best safeguard against infringing upon a patient’s autonomy is for an analyst to acknowledge the highly personal nature of his or her participation in the treatment so that the patient feels free to evaluate the analyst’s contributions for what they are”

[Oana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot recommend this enough and would be hard pressed to indicate another book that answered my professional questions better and more to the point. It does say that it is for everyone but some basic notions of psychoanalytical therapy go a long way with this awesome read.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

a bit too technical at times, but overall an interesting and useful book

[José Bahamondes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un excelente libro para trabajar con pacientes desde una mirada práctica del Psicoanálisis, pero sin perder la profundidad y el compromiso ético que un proceso de este tipo requiere

[Kimberly Hardy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a behaviorist, so I'd say-- for what it is, I enjoyed it.

[stephanie]

because the back review says this is evidence-based therapy, and i'm reading it for annice (and marsha).