The Art of Holding in Therapy

by Karen R Kleiman

First conceptualized by D.W. Winnicott, holding in this book refers to a therapist’s capacity to respond to postpartum distress in a way that facilitates an immediate and successful therapeutic alliance. Readers will learn how to contain high levels of agitation, fear, and panic in a way that cultivates trust and the early stages of connectedness. Also addressed through vignettes are personality types that make holding difficult, styles of ineffective holding, and how to modify holding techniques to accommodate the individual woman. A must-read for postpartum professionals, the techniques learned in this book will help clients achieve meaningful and enduring recovery.

Genres: Professional Development, Psychology

288 pages, Hardcover

Published January 30, 2017

Reviews

[Lewis White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good - I think the central thesis that the main feature of providing mental health support to perinatal women is through 'holding' and that what 'holding' means is to provide a stable therapeutic relationship that provides some directive reassurance. This is distinct from other realms of mental health where you presume the individual to have more agency. In perinatal, the woman does not have the luxury of time or energy to express that agency, and must trust you to hold that for her. It is codependent in a way that normal psychology is not, and that is appropriate.

The six components are extremely handy!

Bad - I am Scottish. If I spoke to any perinatal women using any of the language in this book I would, rightfully, be verbally or physically dissuaded from doing so again. It's far too self-aggrandising, and the structure of the book itself reflects this. It could have been an introduction, then a chapter on each component, one on each common presentation, and done. The rest is repetition.

However, if you can translate it into your own dialect, and flick through the dross to what's relevant for you, then I think the substance is actually invaluable and essential reading for anyone working perinatally.

[Brooke Andria Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great textbook for a therapist working with postpartum. A lil dry, and the real stuff doesn’t start until Ch 6, but good material nonetheless.

[Heather Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any Pediatric psychologist working with babies needs to read this book.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many valuable takeaways. Not overly "textbook". Karen is a trusted expert in the field and absolutley delivered. Immediately recommended to every therapist I know working with the perinatal population. So much info on helping the client, but even more info on helping yourself, so you can best hold space for your client. At times a little repetitive but definitely recommend to therapists, new and old!

[Manda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very helpful, but a slower read.