Contexts and Connections: An Intersubjective Systems Approach to Couples Therapy [Hardcover]

David Shaddock (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0465095704 | ISBN-13: 978-0465095704 | Publication Date: August 15, 2000 | Edition: 1st

Shaddock makes sense of intersubjectivity, the functional paradigm shift in highbrow psychotherapy, as both a way of thinking about our psychological lives and a way of doing clinical work. Applying it to relational systems means investigating the experience of each partner/ member from inside his/her perspective and without judgment.The book illustrates how that approach lowers defenses and lets in insights, mutual understanding, and renewed hope; it demonstrates that treatment built on empathic awareness of contexts and connections can actually also lead to individual transformation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Building on the conceptual scaffold erected in his masterful and now classic Neurotic Styles, David Shapiro ventures into new territory to further refine his architectonic views on psychopathology, this time encompassing psychotic conditions (mainly schizophrenia) as well. His emphasis on formal, structural commonalties and contrasts across the spectrum of psychopathology (along such dimensions as degree of volitional self-regulation) allows for a much needed, comprehensive, psychological understanding of the varieties of emotional and mental disorders we confront in our daily practice. Without in any way diminishing the role of biology as a predisposing factor, Dynamics of Character offers a refreshing antidote to the extreme 'medicalization' of psychopathology. And as one has come to expect from Dr.Shapiro, it is well written, logically and persuasively argued, and a joy for the clinician to read." -- Leo Goldberger, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, New York University

"In this brilliant book Shapiro deepens his previous investigations of neurotic character and extends them into the realm of the psychoses. This is vintage David Shapiro, with all of the trademark features that have made his previous books contemporary classics. The writing is direct, precise and eloquent. His observations of human nature are as keen and nuanced as ever, and his understanding of the fundamental dimensions underlying diverse character structures has, if anything, become more insightful. Through his rigorous and meticulous exploration of the various styles through which different "ways of being" all function to diminish the experience of personal responsibility, Shapiro provides us with a powerful and compelling understanding of human character that is essential reading for all students of psychopathology and the psychotherapeutic process." -- Jeremy D. Safran, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, New School for Social Research

"Shapiro plumbs the depths of human personality not by tracing it to presumed infantile origins but by a persistent, insightful focus on the consequences of character, on the ways in which the bed we lie in is indeed the bed we have made. Character, Shapiro shows, creates dynamics that make the perpetuation of that character style almost inevitable, and the therapist who dares to challenge that inevitability must understand the self-perpetuating processes that Shapiro parses with consummate skill and subtlety. Undaunted by dogma, Shapiro brings our attention to the actual experience of the people we aim to understand, and in so doing continues his lifelong project of redefining the very nature of what we mean by 'dynamics' in the realm of personality." -- Paul L. Wachtel, Ph.D., CUNY Distinguished Professor, City College of New York

From the Publisher

Also by David Shapiro:

Neurotic Styles
"A significant contribution to an understanding of dynamic psychiatry and ego psychology." --The American Journal of Psychiatry

Autonomy and Rigid Character
"A brilliant continuation of his classic Neurotic Styles [that] moves the frontiers of psychoanalytic and psychodynamic thinking forward.... It is packed with clinical wisdom [and] profound implications for a theory of pathology." --Philip S. Holzman, Ph.D.

Psychotherapy of Neurotic Character
"When Dr. Shapiro writes a book, we all should pay close heed." --Journal of Psychotherapy Practice and Research

"A profound book, simply written. The obscure processes of therapy, particularly the minute pivotal points of personality change, are illuminated with clarity, precision, and elegance." --Allen Wheelis, M.D.

"This long-awaited volume richly fulfills its promise. Few writers on the psychotherapy scene have as interesting, or important, things to say." --Paul L. Wachtel, Ph.D.

"Ultimately, the best endorsement of Shapiro's book is how helpful it is. I found myself regularly applying its insights in sessions before I finished reading it." --Frank Yeomans, M.D.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books; 1st edition (August 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0465095704
• ISBN-13: 978-0465095704
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #332,532 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #84 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Schizophrenia

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Good buy, February 15, 2011

By 

Chaiam Yankel's bubbie "Bubbie near and far" (Washington DC) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Contexts and Connections: An Intersubjective Systems Approach to Couples Therapy (Hardcover)

Book arrived quickly (for non-Amazon shipper) and in excellent condition. This is a nicely written interpretation of intersubjective (self) psychology as applied to working with couples. Helpful for therapists; clinical presentations included.

5.0 out of 5 stars profound, July 10, 2009

By 

Eugene V. Sperandeo - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Contexts and Connections: An Intersubjective Systems Approach to Couples Therapy (Hardcover)

this book will appeal to any and all therapists of any paradigm. It is invaluable to the help and insights of couples therapy. There are concepts and ideas that will only enhense and make more workable the difficult and intertwinned experience of the couple with the therapist. It is a valuably needed tool in the working with couples.

3 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Who's on First?, April 5, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Contexts and Connections: An Intersubjective Systems Approach to Couples Therapy (Hardcover)

While I found Shaddock's book interesting and well-written what intrigued me more than the book itself was trying to figure out whether David Shaddock is David Shapiro in disguise.... Is this a psychoanalytic slight of hand? An intersubjectivity joke? A post-modern name game? Whatever might be going on here, if you're interested in Kohut' Self-psychology, intersubjectivity theory and how they might be applied in couples therapy this book should do you fine.