Customer Reviews

Back to One: A Practical Guide for Psychotherapists

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I read this book as an assignment during my internship at a mental health counseling center. It examines the relationship between the therapist and client in a way that was not done in any of my coursework. It was very readable, and I would recommend it to any psychotherapy student interested in the dynamics of the relationship between therapists and clients.

This book offers a description of how the author conducts psychotherapy. I hope there aren't many people following his guidelines; they are rigid and off-putting. The therapy situation should be a collaborative effort, not one in which the therapist is all-powerful, all-knowing and over-controlling. If I met my therapist on an elevator and he aknowledged my presence by closing his eyes and concentrating on his breathing, I would not make it all the way to his office. Much better books on psychotherapy are The Heart of Psychotherapy by George Weinberg and On Being a Therapist by Jeffrey Kottler. Read these instead. I'm sending back Back to One.

Sheldon Kopp practiced as a true master of the art and technique of psychotherapy. One's own personality is part of the tool bag available to a psychotherapist. Uncertain beginners may be inspired by this book, or they may be a tad intimidated. If you are not ready for this one, try Kopp's earlier "Guru" or "Buddha" books. Come back to this one after you have gained more real experience as a psychotherapist -- that would be a reasonable way to begin to become aware of the work of this impressive figure.

If you want to be a better psychotherapist, Sheldon Kopp can help you with practical suggestions.