The Therapeutic Relationship in the Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapies [Hardcover]

Paul Gilbert (Author), Robert L. Leahy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 6, 2007 | ISBN-10: 0415384370 | ISBN-13: 978-0415384377 | Edition: 1

Although the therapeutic relationship is a major contributor to therapeutic outcomes, the cognitive behavioral psychotherapies have not explored this aspect in any detail. This book addresses this shortfall and explores the therapeutic relationship from a range of different perspectives within cognitive behavioral and emotion focused therapy traditions.

The Therapeutic Relationship in the Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapies covers new research on basic models of the process of the therapeutic relationship, and explores key issues related to developing emotional sensitivity, empathic understanding, mindfulness, compassion and validation within the therapeutic relationship. The contributors draw on their extensive experience in different schools of cognitive behavioral therapy to address their understanding and use of the therapeutic relationship.  Subjects covered include:

·         the process and changing nature of the therapeutic relationship over time

·         recognizing and resolving ruptures in the therapeutic alliance

·         the role of evolved social needs and compassion in the therapeutic relationship

·         the therapeutic relationship with difficult to engage clients

·         self and self-reflection in the therapeutic relationship.

This book will be of great interest to all psychotherapists who want to deepen their understanding of the therapeutic relationship, especially those who wish to follow cognitive behavioral approaches.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book will be useful to all psychotherapists who want to deepen their knowledge and understanding, and especially those who are following cognitive-behavioural approaches." - Francine Brett, Therapy Today

"Revolutionary and Evolutionary." - PsycCRITIQUES (Contemporary Psychology: APA Review of Books)

"The book will help cognitive behavior therapists to recast the therapeutic relationship in an information-processing context. It might help therapists to examine the therapeutic process from a holistic perspective and to incorporate historical and cultural contexts in understanding the role of the therapeutic relationship in healing and promoting behavior change. As the concluding authors urge, 'It is time for cognitive therapists to engage in self-reflection' to indentify substance differences and promote an integrative approach to the practise of psychotherapy." - Dr. Jean Lau Chin, Dean of California School of Professional Psychology, part of Alliant International University, USA

"This book brings together in one volume a wealth of perspectives and conceptualisations of the therapeutic relationship in cognitive behavioural therapy in an accessible way, and as such is a rich new resource. Do read it." - Dr. Anne Cooper, European Journal of Psychotherapy and Counselling, Vol. 10, No. 3, September 2008

"This is a useful resource for cognitive behavioural psychotherapists and, due to the breadth of the psychological material presented, may also be of interest to a wider audience of psychologists working with people to change behaviour." - Ruth Lukeman, The Psychologist, Vol. 22 No. 9, September 2009

About the Author

Paul Gilbert is Professor of Clinical Psychology at the Mental Health Research Unit at Kingsway Hospital, University of Derby and Derbyshire Mental Health Services Trust.

Robert L. Leahy is Clinical Professor of psychology in psychiatry at the Weill-Cornell University Medical College. He is the founder and director of the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy and President of the International Association for Cognitive Psychotherapy.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 312 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (March 6, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415384370
• ISBN-13: 978-0415384377
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,161,092 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I guess I was destined to become a psychologist---given the experiences that I had. My parents were divorced when I was an infant--my father was an alcoholic and he was unable to support us. We moved back to New Haven Connecticut, lived with my Italian grandparents, and then moved to an Irish working-class housing project. We were poor, but we always had kids to play with and we learned the values of honesty, perseverance, fairness, and keeping your eye on the prize. When I wasn't playing basketball, I was reading everything. My mom told me that she couldn't afford to send me to college, but I insisted I would get a scholarship. Fast forward--- I got my undergraduate degree and PhD at Yale. Later I did my postdoctoral training with Aaron Beck, the founder of cognitive therapy.
I have been interested in helping people overcome depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and relationship issues. Someone asked me, "Don't you get depressed talking to depressed people?", and I respond, "There's nothing more rewarding than helping people overcome depression". I've written and edited fifteen other books for psychologists-- books on depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, etc. I lecture throughout the world and I am excited that several of my books have been adapted as training texts at leading schools. The great appeal of cognitive and behavioral therapy is that it actually works. People get better. There is hope--even if you feel hopeless.
I have also been fortunate to be able to play a role in professional organizations that promote cognitive therapy. I am the President of the International Association of Cognitive Therapy, President-elect of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy and I serve on a number of international and national committees, boards, and journals. My colleagues and I are helping to coordinate the training of cognitive therapists in Beijing, China, and at The American Institute for Cognitive Therapy we are training psychiatrists and psychologists in cognitive therapy in the New York area. I began working on the popular audience book, The Worry Cure, a few years ago. I decided to write an "honest" and "informed" book---one that drew on the best work by the top people worldwide. I have identified seven steps to overcome worry-- each step reflecting not only my own ideas but the work of leading experts. I am honored that many of them in USA, Canada and the UK have told me personally how much they appreciate the work reflected in this book. I owe a great deal of gratitude to the leading researchers throughout the world who really made this book possible. The Worry Cure tries to provide you with a serious understanding about the nature of worry--- the intolerance of uncertainty, the over-valuation of thinking, the avoidance of emotion, procrastination, the sense of urgency, and the maladaptive beliefs underlying your worry. I try to provide you with a full-range of self-help tools--- realizing that no one of them will work for everyone. A number of our patients at our clinic use the Worry Cure as part of their self-help--and they find it reassuring to know that they can now understand why their worry has persisted and how they can reverse this detrimental process.
The Worry Cure was named by Self Magazine as one of the top eight self-help books of all time. I was stunned when I read that--- my colleague Rene showed me the story in the magazine. But I have been fortunate to have been able to learn from my patients about the nature of their worry and what helps them--and to be able to write something that can make a difference.
My friend, Bill, said to me when I was writing this, "Bob, if you help one person overcome their anxiety it would be worth it." It's like the wise saying, "You save the world one life at a time".