The Art of Co-therapy: How Therapists Work Together [Hardcover]

Bill Roller (Author), Vivian Nelson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0898625572 | ISBN-13: 978-0898625578 | Publication Date: February 15, 1991 | Edition: 1

This text represents the first examination of both the theory and practice of co-therapy. It explores in depth the co-therapy relationship, its creation, and the potential therapeutic value of its successful utilization.

The Practice of the Art of Co-Therapy considers why a therapist would choose to practice co-therapy, elucidating the major benefits for therapists and patients alike. The crucial points to be considered in choosing a co-therapist are thoroughly analyzed and, to facilitate the selection process, insightful questionnaires and other helpful tools are provided. The reasons underlying the success of co-therapy teams (e.g., compatibility, equality, communication) are highlighted, as are those factors leading to impasses and crises. Rounding out Part I is a demonstration of co-therapy in action as the authors chronicle their treatment of a borderline personality and a narcissistic personality using co-therapy.

Part II features contributions from other master practitioners of co-therapy. Included among these is a model for viewing the co-therapy relationship as one that develops incrementally over time. Also offered are a highly personal account of a husband-wife co-therapy team in practice over two decades and a provocative commentary on co-therapy and the nature of the therapy process itself.

Given that many therapists will practice co-therapy at some point in their careers, The Art of Co-Therapy satisfies a long-neglected need for a practical handbook geared to those just initiating a co-therapy relationship as well as those faced with the immediate challenge of

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Mix a professional marriage for Process with a personal marriage for power. Then spice with clinical research and add a section by Virginia Satir. The result is an excellent short course on co-therapy."--Carl Whitaker, M.D.

"As one who has spent his entire career immersed in the practice of co-therapy, I am delighted to find a cogent and useful book addressed to this uniquely intimate work relationship....This is an insightful and helpful book. It gives us threads of specific wisdom, and a weave that connotes the positiveness of co-therapy as a hopeful and expansive linking up of two individuals for the common good. I only wish Virginia Satir, whose chapter is by itself worth the price of the book, could have gone on and on...."--Augustius Y. Napier in Journal of Family Psychotherapy

About the Author

Bill Roller, M.A., is a licensed Marriage, Family, and Child Counseler in private practice as a psychotherapist and a organizational consultant in Berkeley, California.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Guilford Press; 1 edition (February 15, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898625572
• ISBN-13: 978-0898625578
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,087,281 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing..., March 21, 2008

By 

Shrink in MN (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Art of Co-therapy: How Therapists Work Together (Hardcover)

As a psychology intern co-leading several groups, I had hoped for an insightful guide to the dynamics of co-leading and ways of conceptualizing our role with the group. This book is essentially a long review of a small survey and a few chapters based on casual interviews. The chapter with Virginia Satir is the most substantial but there are much better places to find her ideas. I suggest looking elsewhere for insights into co-leading groups.