Making emotional contact and inviting patients to use therapeutic relationships for their relational and developmental aims is a risky and intimate proposition. But, as the author of this book argues, therapists must be willing to engage deeply with patients to work from within the relationship extending the therapeutic relationship to reach the private experience of self and other and offer new relational experience. Moving beyond traditional thinking, the author presents a relational approach that integrates psychoanalytic thinking with the latest findings from infant research to give therapists the theoretical framework to orient the treatment and maintain psychic equilibrium and safety during times of arousing and destabilizing affect and relational scenarios. A therapeutic stance, which is fluid and open to intrapsychic and interpersonal influence, allows for the experience and elaboration of complex unconscious affects and shifting points of identification. Compelling clinical narratives bring the reader into the consulting room and show how the therapist may forge deep emotional connection within a bounded therapeutic relationship that relies upon mutual influence and self-revelation and opens up relational space to ultimately rearrange a patient's experience of self and other.
Moving Beyond the Comfort Zone in Psychotherapy
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Editorial Reviews
Review
In Moving Beyond the Comfort Zone in Psychotherapy, Nancy A. Bridges offers an accessible, engaging, and clinically focused text situated in the relational tradition. Overall, Moving Beyond the Comfort Zone in Psychotherapy's strengths--it'saccessibility, clinical detail and focus, and candor--all make it a worthwhile read, particularly for less experienced therapists. It would provide a useful stimulus for discussion and self-reflection among trainees and supervisees. The more experiencedclinician will likely appreciate Bridges' choice of clinical vignettes, which address a variety of difficult clinical situations that most experienced therapists have faced at one time or another... (Psyccritiques?Contemporary Psychology: Apa Review Of Books )
This very informative and readable book is a valuable addition to those teaching psychotherapy and psychoanalysis particularly for students beyond the initial phase of training. (Bulletin Of The Menninger Clinic )
This book met the author's goal of helping the reader conceptualize some very difficult issues in psychotherapy. Ms. Bridges has chosen to address some of the traditionally uncomfortable boundary issues in psychotherapy, and she has done so in a well-written book that clearly conveys her empathetic approach as well as her willingness to take risks with and for her patients with the goal of their own progress. This book would be helpful to others who wonder or worry about how to be helpful to patients in these times when therapy reaches points when the boundaries are challenged. (Psychiatric Services )
Moving Beyond the Comfort Zone in Psychotherapy overflows with illuminating theoretical explanations, clinical wisdom, and clear examples that are thought-provoking for advanced clinical social workers and sufficiently detailed for those who are in the early phase of their professional development. This book, based on extensive bibliographical research and many years of experience as a clinical social worker, supervisor, and educator, should find its way into the well-used libraries of clinical supervisors and classrooms of clinical social work education. (Clinical Social Work Journal )
Equipped with the best of traditional psychodynamic theory and new insights from infancy research and the relational perspective, Nancy Bridges takes her readers on a journey into the largely unexplored affective interior of the clinical encounter. Compelling case vignettes illuminate the shadowy recesses of such phenomena as therapeutic aggression, destabililzing sexual and aggressive arousal in both patient and clinician, the risks and rewards of therapist self-revelation, and the therapeutic management of exceptional patient requests. Joining Bridges on her courageous excursion beyond the clinical comfort zone is well worth the trip for beginners and seasoned clinicians alike. (Jeffrey Applegate, Ph.D. )
Nancy Bridges takes on the difficult topic of therapists' intense affective and erotic feelings about patients. She provides a balanced,broad -ranging rich discussion including the use of supervision and consultation. It will be an invaluable resource for therapists and their teachers . (Malkah Notman )
Following in the heartfelt and highly empathic tradition of clinicians like Searles, Coltart, and Russell, Nancy Bridges makes us feel deeply about the therapeutic process and stimulates our intellectual curiosity about why and how we intervene. She says we must be knocked off our perches routinely if the process goes well. And she does not hesitate to provide dozens of case studies where she backs up her theoretical stand with detailed descriptions of actual interventions with her patients. Bridges' writing style is both accessible and emotionally engaging. Moving Beyond the Comfort Zone in Psychotherapy succeeds in the challenging task of making the reader comfortable with the notion of being uncomfortable as an essential part of the process. I highly recommend this book for everyone who is invested in translating relational theory into practice. (Karen J. Maroda, Ph.D. )
Nancy Bridges reminds us all that erotic feelings and fantasies permeate the increasingly intimate relationships that patients and therapists construct together over the course of treatment. There is no more useful lesson that contemporary therapists can learn. (Schamess, Gerald )
Wise as well as keen, this valuable book shows us the essential conditions for effective work. (Dr. Leston Havens )
In Moving Beyond the Comfort Zone in Psychotherapy, Nancy A. Bridges offers an accessible, engaging, and clinically focused text situated in the relational tradition. Overall, Moving Beyond the Comfort Zone in Psychotherapy's strengths--it's accessibility, clinical detail and focus, and candor--all make it a worthwhile read, particularly for less experienced therapists. It would provide a useful stimulus for discussion and self-reflection among trainees and supervisees. The more experienced clinician will likely appreciate Bridges' choice of clinical vignettes, which address a variety of difficult clinical situations that most experienced therapists have faced at one time or another. (Psyccritiques—Contemporary Psychology: Apa Review Of Books )
It is clear from the text that Bridges thoughtfully and respectfully incorporates traditional psychodynamic and analytic theory into her clinical formulations and interventions. (Psychoanalytic Social Work )
This very informative and readable book is a valuable addition to those teaching psychotherapy and psychoanalysis particularly for students beyond the initial phase of training. (Bulletin Of The Menninger Clinic )
This book met the author's goal of helping the reader conceptualize some very difficult issues in psychotherapy. Ms. Bridges has chosen to address some of the traditionally uncomfortable boundary issues in psychotherapy, and she has done so in a well-written book that clearly conveys her empathetic approach as well as her willingness to take risks with and for her patients with the goal of their own progress. This book would be helpful to others who wonder or worry about how to be helpful to patients in these times when therapy reaches points when the boundaries are challenged. (Psychiatric Services )
Moving Beyond the Comfort Zone in Psychotherapy overflows with illuminating theoretical explanations, clinical wisdom, and clear examples that are thought-provoking for advanced clinical social workers and sufficiently detailed for those who are in the early phase of their professional development. This book, based on extensive bibliographical research and many years of experience as a clinical social worker, supervisor, and educator, should find its way into the well-used libraries of clinical supervisors and classrooms of clinical social work education. (Clinical Social Work Journal )
Equipped with the best of traditional psychodynamic theory and new insights from infancy research and the relational perspective, Nancy Bridges takes her readers on a journey into the largely unexplored affective interior of the clinical encounter. Compelling case vignettes illuminate the shadowy recesses of such phenomena as therapeutic aggression, destabililzing sexual and aggressive arousal in both patient and clinician, the risks and rewards of therapist self-revelation, and the therapeutic management of exceptional patient requests. Joining Bridges on her courageous excursion beyond the clinical comfort zone is well worth the trip for beginners and seasoned clinicians alike. (Jeffrey Applegate, Ph.D. )
Nancy Bridges takes on the difficult topic of therapists' intense affective and erotic feelings about patients. She provides a balanced,broad -ranging rich discussion including the use of supervision and consultation. It will be an invaluable resource for therapists and their teachers . (Malkah Notman )
Following in the heartfelt and highly empathic tradition of clinicians like Searles, Coltart, and Russell, Nancy Bridges makes us feel deeply about the therapeutic process and stimulates our intellectual curiosity about why and how we intervene. She says we must be knocked off our perches routinely if the process goes well. And she does not hesitate to provide dozens of case studies where she backs up her theoretical stand with detailed descriptions of actual interventions with her patients. Bridges' writing style is both accessible and emotionally engaging. Moving Beyond the Comfort Zone in Psychotherapy succeeds in the challenging task of making the reader comfortable with the notion of being uncomfortable as an essential part of the process. I highly recommend this book for everyone who is invested in translating relational theory into practice. (Karen J. Maroda, Ph.D. )
Nancy Bridges reminds us all that erotic feelings and fantasies permeate the increasingly intimate relationships that patients and therapists construct together over the course of treatment. There is no more useful lesson that contemporary therapists can learn. (Schamess, Gerald )
Wise as well as keen, this valuable book shows us the essential conditions for effective work. (Dr. Leston Havens )
In Moving Beyond the Comfort Zone in Psychotherapy, Nancy A. Bridges offers an accessible, engaging, and clinically focused text situated in the relational tradition. Overall, Moving Beyond the Comfort Zone in Psychotherapy's strengths--it's accessibility, clinical detail and focus, and candor--all make it a worthwhile read, particularly for less experienced therapists. It would provide a useful stimulus for discussion and self-reflection among trainees and supervisees. The more experienced clinician will likely appreciate Bridges' choice of clinical vignettes, which address a variety of difficult clinical situations that most experienced therapists have faced at one time or another. (Psyccritiques—Contemporary Psychology: Apa Review Of Books )
It is clear from the text that Bridges thoughtfully and respectfully incorporates traditional psychodynamic and analytic theory into her clinical formulations and interventions. (Psychoanalytic Social Work )
From the Inside Flap
"Wise as well as keen, this valuable book shows us the essential conditions for effective work."
--Dr. Leston Havens, Harvard Medical School and The Cambridge Hospital
--Dr. Leston Havens, Harvard Medical School and The Cambridge Hospital
"Nancy Bridges reminds us all that erotic feelings and fantasies permeate the increasingly intimate relationships that patients and therapists construct together over the course of treatment. There is no more useful lesson that contemporary therapists can learn."
--Gerald Schamess, Smith College School for Social Work
"Following in the heartfelt and highly empathic tradition of clinicians like Searles, Coltart, and Russell, Nancy Bridges makes us feel deeply about the therapeutic process and stimulates our intellectual curiosity about why and how we intervene. She says we must be knocked off our perches routinely if the process goes well. And she does not hesitate to provide dozens of case studies where she backs up her theoretical stand with detailed descriptions of actual interventions with her patients. Bridges' writing style is both accessible and emotionally engaging. "Moving Beyond the Comfort Zone in Psychotherapy" succeeds in the challenging task of making the reader comfortable with the notion of being uncomfortable as an essential part of the process. I highly recommend this book for everyone who is invested in translating relational theory into practice."
--Karen J. Maroda, Ph.D.
"Equipped with the best of traditional psychodynamic theory and new insights from infancy research and the relational perspective, Nancy Bridges takes her readers on a journey into the largely unexplored affective interior of the clinical encounter. Compelling case vignettes illuminate the shadowy recesses of such phenomena as therapeutic aggression, destabililzing sexual and aggressive arousal in both patient and clinician, the risks and rewards of therapist self-revelation, and the therapeutic management of exceptional patient requests. Joining Bridges on her courageous excursion beyond the clinical comfort zone is well worth the trip for beginners and seasoned clinicians alike."
--Jeffrey Applegate, Ph.D., Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research, Bryn Mawr College
"Nancy Bridges takes on the difficult topic of therapists' intense affective and erotic feelings about patients. She provides a balanced,broad -ranging rich discussion including the use of supervision and consultation. It will be an invaluable resource for therapists and their teachers."
--Malkah Notman, Harvard Medical School
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21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Important Book,
By Keeroll (USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Moving Beyond the Comfort Zone in Psychotherapy (Hardcover)
Moving Beyond the Comfort Zone in Psychotherapy is a wonderful and important book. With insight and compassion, Ms. Bridges has written a book that will appeal to therapists and those in therapy alike but for different reasons.
Therapists will appreciate Bridges' use of intersubjective/relational, attachment, and developmental theories to explore the relationship between the therapist and patient in order to affect therapeutic change and growth. As a psychotherapist, I appreciate the combination of sound, innovative theory as well as many case examples. Through these, Bridges helps therapists conceptualize and navigate their relationships with patients in an engaged, empathic manner that honors the safety and mutuality of the relationship by establishing negotiated rather than rigid boundaries. Bridges skillfully uses this framework to examine the often complex and intense feelings a therapist can have toward a patient (e.g., sexual and loving feelings as well as anger, hatred, and rage); exceptional requests (e.g., gift-giving, hugs, attending a patient's wedding); and disclosures by the therapist (e.g., balancing expressiveness and restraint). I found her perspective quite helpful in thinking about my work with patients: how to stay deeply engaged, even in the most challenging of circumstances, rather than distancing or acting out. Those in therapy will also find this book helpful. It offers an inside view of therapy from the therapist's perspective. Bridges explores her feelings, thoughts, struggles, and clinical decisions as she navigates often complex and intimate therapeutic relationships. A real contribution to the field. Carolyn Stevenson, L.C.S.W., M.Div.
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