In Session: The Bond Between Women and Their Therapists [Hardcover]

Deborah A. Lott (Editor), Marie Cohen (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1999

Why do so many women develop profound feelings for their therapists? Why do many of them fall in love with their therapists, and what happens to them when they do? "In Session" enters the consulting room and cuts straight to the heart of the complex psychotherapy relationship.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Basing her work on a research questionnaire and in-depth interviews, journalist Lott seeks to explore the therapeutic relationship from the patient's point of view. In traditional Freudian theory, the patient essentially relives early important relationships in a healthier way. The therapist's role is to be a neutral but supportive "projection screen," able to encourage clients to discuss strong feelings without encouraging or suppressing emotions ranging from love to anger. Lott finds that most therapists are not able to walk this fine line, either becoming entangled in their patients' emotional dramas or refusing to allow any discussion of the relationship. Nor do training programs offer much advice. Pressure from insurance companies is making the kind of in-depth therapy described in the book increasingly rare, a development Lott discusses in her final chapter. A good addition to any academic library supporting counseling programs; public libraries should buy where similar titles circulate well.AMary Ann Hughes, Neill P.L., Pullman, WA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"In Session is a wonderful guide to understanding how therapy can and should succeed despite the inherent difficulties that the relationship imposes." -- Los Angeles Times

"A good addition to any academic library supporting counseling programs." -- Library Journal

"Lott writes with ease and her consumer-oriented text will engage the interest of anyone curious about the therapeutic relationship."

-- Publishers Weekly

"This fascinating book becomes contemplation on the role of love and respect in all human relationships." -- Feminist Bookstore News

Transference and countertransference are usually discussed in the professional literature of psychoanalysis. Yet with hundreds of thousands of people, mostly women, seeing therapists each year, the delicate connections forged in the "approximate relationship" of therapist and client deserve further scrutiny. Lott, a consumer health writer and herself in therapy, comes to this project prepared in both theory and practice. Based on extensive interviews with women in therapy and in a significant review of the literature, her prove proves more than a how-to for consumers, thought it is also that, as it explores the sometimes blurry boundaries between therapist and client in great depth. Although sexual abuse may leap to mind as an example of bad therapeutic pracitce, any time therapists put their own needs ahead of a client's they act unprofessionally. Well researched and well considered, In Session is also impressively well written and filled with stories, ideas, and insights. -- BOOKLIST April 1, 1999 Patricia Monaghan

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 321 pages
• Publisher: W.H. Freeman & Company (April 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0716735628
• ISBN-13: 978-0716735625
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #432,114 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

85 of 89 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In Session : The Bond Between Woman and Their Therapists, December 12, 1999

By 

Shannon G. Converse ([e-mail]) (Modesto, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In Session: The Bond Between Women and Their Therapists (Hardcover)

This is without a doubt the most incredible book I have ever read on any aspect of psychotherapy, transference and the therapeutic relationship. Thanks to Deborah Lott's book, I will never be the same. I am both a client and a soon to be graduate student in psychology. This book was lifechanging. It showed me the way to achieve the deepest therapeutic relationship with my therapist possible and in doing so, the deepest healing is occuring. I always believed I had a open honest relationship with my therapist and this is true; however, this book allowed me to see that there were some things I was not saying and feelings I was not expressing, that I needed to. Some that both shocked and scared me. I did not realize this because I had driven these feeling and thoughts underground (particularly ones involving erotic transference, since both my therapist and I are female and heterosexual). These feeling became 'secrets' in my therapy, that prevented progression to even more deeper levels of the therapeutic process. Ms Lott's book opened my eyes to what was going on, helped me understand I was not alone, that these feeling were common and normal and inspired me (despite great anxiety and fear) to confess these feeling to my therapist; to say everything I had been holding back and by doing so experiencing tremendous relief. I have had a very close, deep therapeutic relationship with my therapist for almost 4 years, that just became closer and deeper than I ever imagine. I never knew the fear and anxiety that holding this 'secret' had created. This book and my therapist's reaction of total acceptance and understanding released me from an emotional prison. I was freed to experience trust, freedom and happiness I had not known before. All therapist, clients, prospective clients and student of the disciplin should put this one at the top of their reading list. Ms. Lott's contribution to the field, and to clients as well as to therapists is remarkable considering that she is not a therapist; something one would never know had she not said so in her book. I look forward with great anticipation to her next book.

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Therapeutic Read!, August 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: In Session: The Bond Between Women and Their Therapists (Hardcover)

For several months I had been searching the shelves in bookstores for a publication that would even mildly address (and attempt to explain) the romantic feelings that I have towards my shrink. I never expected to find any books on that exact subject because I figured only a fool could fall "madly in love" with someone who never discloses anything about himself. You would think that the therapist would fall for the patient since he gets to know your heart and eventually expose your soul. I felt guilty and dirty for feeling inexplicably attracted to him. Then I came across "In Session" and realised that in no way shape or form am I alone. I couldn't put this book down. Not only was it a fascinating read, it was extremely therapeutic.I recommend this book to any woman who is feeling unusually compelled - to the point of distraction- by the patient/therapist relationship. How I'd love a sequel from the therapists' point of view.

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 10 Stars!, May 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: In Session: The Bond Between Women and Their Therapists (Hardcover)

If I could give this book a 10-star rating, I would -- without any hesitation! The relationship developed between women and their therapists is so unique, powerful and virtually universal among women in therapy; ironically, it's rarely given public attention or focus, even in the therapeutic session itself. Lott (the author)is not a therapist, nor does she attempt to portray herself as one; rather, she is a journalist/author/woman who knows how to ask thought provoking questions that make for extremely interesting reading. This book is easy to read (I couldn't put it down!) and easy to identify with (there are real-life stories throughout). If you are a client and are uncertain how to talk about this important relationship with your therapist, this book can become a great vehicle for opening a deeper level of communication and understanding between the two of you. If you are a therapist, it's a great book to recommend to your clients, too. It's a continually thought-provoking book, almost guaranteed that any client and/or therapist who reads it will strongly identify with it.