Object Relations Brief Therapy: The Therapeutic Relationship in Short-Term Work (The Library of Object Relations) [Hardcover]

Michael Stadter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1996 | ISBN-10: 1568216602 | ISBN-13: 978-1568216607 | Edition: 1St Edition

Object Relations Brief Therapy combines practical techniques with the depth of object relations theory, the wisdom of previous brief therapy writers, and, most notably, an emphasis on the unique therapeutic relationship. Often, therapists despair of doing any meaningful work in brief therapy. To this, Michael Stadter suggests the following pragmatic approach, "think dynamically, address some underlying issue(s) and do what you can." Specifically, the book emphasizes the depth of understanding of human experience that comes from an object relations perspective; the insight and experiential vitality of attention to the therapeutic relationship including its real, transferential, and countertransferential elements; the impact of the psychodynamic techniques that have been carefully studied and delineated by brief therapy writers such as Davanloo, Horowitz, Malan, Strupp, and Binder; and the flexibility of an eclectic approach that thoughtfully and selectively incorporates non-psychodynamic interventions. Therapists do not have to "escape" managed care, according to Stadter. Rather, they need to learn how to deal with it in a way that preserves their integrity and enables them to practice the kind of healing psychotherapy they know how to do. In today's health care climate, Object Relations Brief Therapy is a much-needed guide for committed therapists.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This is a thorough, honest, and thoughtful book. It is a pleasure to read and will provide both beginners and experienced brief therapists with much to ponder and readily apply. Stadter skillfully ties the literature together and puts the therapeutic relationship back into brief therapy. (Budman, Simon H. )

Stadter presents a comprehensive, scholarly, and creative synthesis of concepts from object relations theory and principles from various schools of brief therapy. Eschewing a doctrinaire attitude, his way of thinking about and doing brief therapy pragmatically allows for the world of HMOs and managed care, enhancing the sense of usefulness of the often frustrated therapist. His approach is also helpful to the practitioner in the face of the kinds of characterological resistances associated with developmental and structural problems. Rich in clinical examples, this is a book that will increase the clinical wisdom of therapists at all levels of experience. (Althea Horner )

About the Author

Michael Stadter, Ph.D., is a member of the faculties of the International Institute of Object Relations Therapy and the Washington School of Psychiatry.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Jason Aronson, Inc.; 1St Edition edition (July 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568216602
• ISBN-13: 978-1568216607
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,583,992 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the better books on brief dynamic therapy, March 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Object Relations Brief Therapy: The Therapeutic Relationship in Short-Term Work (The Library of Object Relations) (Hardcover)

Stadter's book is wonderful, especially in comparison to some of the other books available on brief therapy from psychodynamic perspectives (e.g., Strupp and Binder's "Psychotherapy in a New Key" or Levenson's more recent exposition on TLDP). This book has a good, clear synopsis of object relations theory, compares the approach to other dynamic brief treatments, and provides a very thorough guide for employing object relations theory in time-limited work. The reader is taken step-by-step through the initial, middle, and end phases of the work, and is also given suggestions for conducting very brief (one or two session) therapy. Finally, a discussion of using brief object relations therapy with clients presenting various types of character pathology is included. Overall, this is perhaps the best book available on conducting short-term therapy using a depth-oriented approach.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Alternative to Long-Term Therapy, February 10, 2007

By 

B. U. Reed (Maryland USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Object Relations Brief Therapy: The Therapeutic Relationship in Short-Term Work (The Library of Object Relations) (Hardcover)

An excellent book that describes Dr. Stadter's approach to object relations therapy. He demonstrates ways to deal with the difficult problem of establishing the therapeutic relationship and doing intervention in a short-term situation. In the past long term therapy was undertaken for this process, but current conditions: lack of time, money and commitment make it necessary to try to accomplish lifetime goals in a very short time span. Although Dr. Stadter's approach does not replace long-term therapy, in my opinion, it is an excellent approach to solving the therapist problem. My husband uses this book in his classroom and when he is teaching and supervising new and experienced therapist in the discipline of the object relations therapeutic process.