Introduction to Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Technique

by Sarah Fels Usher

Introduction to Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Technique is a revised edition of the popular technical guide to the conduct of psychodynamic psychotherapy written by Sarah Fels Usher , published in 1993. In her thoroughly updated book, the author takes the student from the very beginning through to the end of the processes involved in using psychodynamic psychotherapy as a method of understanding and treating patients. Introduction to Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Technique offers explanations of how psychoanalytic/psychodynamic theory underwrites the technique, and demonstrates how the technique follows from the theory in a clear and accessible style. Each chapter is organized around the psychoanalytic concepts of transference and counter-transference, demonstrating how these concepts bring the work together. New material includes a chapter devoted to working with patients’ defenses, an in-depth look at the emotions on both sides during termination, and a chapter on the experience of supervision, all accompanied by lively clinical examples. The book is unique in that it is written from the point of view of the student, highlighting the difficulties they may encounter in practice and offering concrete suggestions for technique. Introduction to Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Technique will be of interest to psychoanalysts, psychotherapists, psychiatric residents, graduate psychotherapy students and social work students.

144 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1993

Reviews

[Katherine Archibald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good primer on psychodynamic therapy!! I really wish everyone who gives psychodynamic approaches a bad rap/thinks it’s too Freudian would read this book. Def does a great job at illustrating that psychodynamic therapy has a place in contemporary therapy.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: the book is the second edition, not the first. This is an easy-to-read introduction to Psychodynamic Psychotherapy by a knowledgeable and experienced practitioner. It contains a lot of practical and sensible advice. There is also a lot of emphasis on transference and counter-transference.

[Jan S · Rating 4 out of 5]

It explains psychodynamic psychotherapy very well.

[Trevor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Usher's book is a helpful tool for new psychotherapists and student psychotherapists in training. Although not as practically laid out like Cabaniss et. al's "Psychodynamic Psychotherapy : A Clinical Manual," the text and clinical examples are accessible and flow naturally.