Therapeutic Communication: Principles and Effective Practice

by Paul L. Wachtel

Dr. Wachtel explores the largely unmapped territory of what the therapist says in the therapeutic setting, demonstrating a use of language that shows understanding, avoids inducing resistance, and yet does not sidestep the confrontation of painful realities. Extensive annotated transcripts of therapy sessions give insights into the principles discussed. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

Genres: Psychology, Counselling, Nonfiction, Social Work, Psychoanalysis, Professional Development, Communication

308 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Paul L. Wachtel, PhD, is CUNY Distinguished Professor in the doctoral program in clinical psychology at City College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. He received his doctorate in clinical psychology from Yale University and is a graduate of the postdoctoral program in psychoanalysis and psychotherapy at New York University, where he is also a faculty member. Dr. Wachtel has lectured and given workshops throughout the world on psychotherapy, personality theory, and the applications of psychological theory and research to the major social issues of our time. He has been a leading voice for integrative thinking in the human sciences and was a co-founder of the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration. Dr. Wachtel is a recipient of the Hans H. Strupp Memorial Award for psychoanalytic writing, teaching, and research; the Distinguished Psychologist Award from Division 29 (Psychotherapy) of the American Psychological Association (APA); and the Scholarship and Research Award from Division 39 (Psychoanalysis) of APA.

Reviews

[emre · Rating 5 out of 5]

özellikle -benim gibi- mesleğin ilk yıllarında, terapötik düzlemde konuşurken kimi zaman kendini yapmacık ya da sakil hisseden, incitmeden yüzleştirme yapmak, tam bir şeyler oldu derken karşılaşılan dirençle verimli biçimde mücadele etmek gibi konularda yardıma ihtiyacı olan ve terapi sürecine dair kafa karışıklıkları yaşayan kişilerin bayılacağı bir kaynak. içindeki bir sürü açıklamalı vaka sunumu sayesinde anlattığı hiçbir konu teoride kalmıyor.

[Aj · Rating 5 out of 5]

it's slow reading because there's so much to absorb, but I've learned a lot thus far.

after about a year-long hiatus, i've picked this book up again. i think having a year of psychodynamic training to compliment the cbt training i had already received, makes this book much more accessible. it's well written, very dense with knowledge, but also provides numerous examples. wachtel makes me believe i can be a better clinician.

[Hanan AL-Raddadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book comes highly recommended by Jonathan Shedler, a psychologist I respect and admire. It is one of the books that you must take your time reading if you really want to appreciate the dense materials it provides. Wachtel write in a humble tone that is not easy to find in authors today. With all the discussion of theories and the examples to illustrate them I am surprised this book is not an assigned reading for clinicians. I am not a clinician, but reading the book I found myself paying more attention to how I phrase my massages especially to the people I work with.

[whereisiris · Rating 5 out of 5]

平平无奇五颗星 挺好 应该不会经常重读

[Stayz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most helpful books for clinicians. The author masterfully begins to integrate psychodynamic oriented therapy with cognitive behavioral perspectives and gives specific examples of clinical interventions that directly correspond with his theoretical framework. This book is dense, but is a must read.

[Sadaf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think every psychologist would benefit from this book, It's very well written, I have read it many times and took notes from all the chapters, It made me more conscious about the words I use on a daily basis and gave me a lot of alternatives for talking/asking.

[Stephi Cham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would recommend this for anyone working in a psychiatric setting, and I hope more therapists and psychologists read this timeless work. At times the writing is bogged down by the author's musings, but for the most part it is well-paced and well-written, with clear examples and rationales.

[Ruby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very dense, and very repetitive (especially with each chapter). The case examples provided in the second half are helpful and I will certainly re-read the chapters on self-disclosure and building on patient strengths.

[Heiki Eesmaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both in-depth and detailed. Very useful as well as thought-provoking.

[Michael Marsden · Rating 2 out of 5]

For me, this book is so dense it is almost unreadable. While reading this book I felt like I was trudging through mud. There are great examples of "what to say when," but the what to say/mud ratio is very bad. I know eventually I will return to this book, but do not look forward to it and hope at that time it will be a better experience. I'm not holding my breath, though.

[Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing earth shattering to someone whose trained well and is aware of psychodynamic, strengths based, and behavioural theoretical frames. However it does a great job of tying this together and offering more nuance and care to things such as delivery and wording. Definitely worth a read and a place on the shelf for reference and reminders.

[Antonio · Rating 4 out of 5]

I work in mental health and was hoping to learn more about communication with patients. I learned and realized a lot about my own personal issues but also a bit about validating others concerns. It was a long but interesting read from a general readers perspective and not one from a therapists.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm just a big Wachtel fan. I keep going back to his stuff. Much more to read. Always much more to read and learn, but I guess that's why I like my profession.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think therapists should read this book every 6-9 months. Great information

[Tim Browne]

MCEP BOOK TO READ FOR CREDIT