Wisdom and Compassion in Psychotherapy: Deepening Mindfulness in Clinical Practice [Hardcover]

Christopher K. Germer (Editor), Ronald D. Siegel (Editor), Dalai Lama (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 7, 2012 | ISBN-10: 1462503764 | ISBN-13: 978-1462503766 | Edition: 1

Bringing together leading scholars, scientists, and clinicians, this compelling volume explores how therapists can cultivate wisdom and compassion in themselves and their clients. Chapters describe how combining insights from ancient contemplative practices and modern research can enhance the treatment of anxiety, depression, trauma, substance abuse, suicidal behavior, couple conflict, and parenting stress. Seamlessly edited, the book features numerous practical exercises and rich clinical examples. It examines whether wisdom and compassion can be measured objectively, what they look like in the therapy relationship, their role in therapeutic change, and how to integrate them into treatment planning and goal setting. The book includes a foreword by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I am very happy to see that ancient teachings and practices from the Buddhist tradition can be of benefit today when they are employed by Western scientists and therapists. In today's world, many people turn to psychotherapy to understand what is making them unhappy, and to discover how to live a more meaningful life. I believe that as they come to understand compassion and wisdom more deeply, psychotherapists will be better able to help their patients and so contribute to greater peace and happiness in the world."--from the Foreword by His Holiness the Dalai Lama

"The essential message of this book is one of hope. Ably guided by the contributors to this important volume, therapists are invited to peer beyond therapeutic tools and techniques and glimpse the vast potential that compassion and wisdom hold for healing and self-transformation."--Zindel V. Segal, PhD, CPsych, Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Canada

"A rich introduction to--and rigorous exploration of--the current dynamic convergence of Buddhist psychology and Western psychotherapy. Thoughtful and eminently practical, this timely volume will be a key reference for counselors and psychotherapists, and is also important reading for students preparing for careers in the field. It will serve those looking for ways to offer the fruits of their personal mindfulness practice to their clients and colleagues."--Sharon Salzberg, author of Real Happiness and Lovingkindness

"The deep message of the movement toward acceptance- and mindfulness-based methods is that the world without and the world within are interlinked. We need to begin to treat ourselves as we would want others to treat us: with kindness, patience, and wise attention. This book explores profound issues and describes powerful new methods for clinical practice that will carry far beyond the doors of our consulting rooms."--Steven C. Hayes, PhD, Foundation Professor of Psychology, University of Nevada

"With this enlightening volume, Germer and Siegel bring the dialogue between contemporary psychotherapy and Buddhist psychology to a new level, proposing that compassion and wisdom--like mindfulness--are capacities that can be deliberately cultivated to promote health and well-being. Enlisting contributions from fields as diverse as neuroscience, theology, trauma studies, and positive psychology, Germer and Siegel have put together a book that is stimulating, scholarly, and, above all, clinically relevant. This book illuminates fresh directions and resources for psychotherapy, bringing an inspiring sense of possibility to the 'impossible profession.'"--David J. Wallin, PhD, private practice, Mill Valley and Albany, California

"This book examines the nature of wisdom and compassion in psychotherapy from every conceivable perspective. Buddhist psychology, neurobiological foundations, psychological research, and clinical applications all receive thoughtful and comprehensive treatment. Clinicians, scholars, teachers, and students interested in the alleviation of human suffering will appreciate this volume, especially its emphasis on the cultivation of mindfulness and loving-kindness skills as paths toward the wisdom and compassion that are so essential to effective psychotherapy."--Ruth A. Baer, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky

"A...very important aspect of this book is its breadth of perspectives on the topic....Will appeal primarily to practicing psychotherapists who desire an in-depth conversation about the theory and research of compassion and wisdom because it has a heavier focus on practice than do some other volumes. The other nice aspect of this volume is that the Buddhist foundations for the concepts used in therapy are very clearly laid out. Because Part III focuses on specific clinical applications of principles of compassion and wisdom introduced throughout earlier sections, it will appeal to clinicians working with these specific groups."--PsycCRITIQUES

(PsycCRITIQUES 2013-01-23)

About the Author

Christopher K. Germer, PhD, is a clinical psychologist in private practice, specializing in mindfulness, acceptance, and compassion-based treatment. He has been integrating the principles and practices of meditation into psychotherapy since 1978. Dr. Germer is Clinical Instructor in Psychology at Harvard Medical School and a founding member of the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy. He lectures internationally on mindfulness and self-compassion, is coeditor (with Ronald D. Siegel and Paul R. Fulton) of the professional book Mindfulness and Psychotherapy, and is author of The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion: Freeing Yourself from Destructive Thoughts and Emotions.

 

Ronald D. Siegel, PsyD, is Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School, where he has taught since 1984. He is a long-time student of mindfulness meditation and serves on the board of directors and faculty of the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy. Dr. Siegel teaches internationally about mindfulness and psychotherapy and mind-body treatment, while maintaining a private clinical practice in Lincoln, Massachusetts. He is author of The Mindfulness Solution: Everyday Practices for Everyday Problems and coeditor of Mindfulness and Psychotherapy.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 407 pages
• Publisher: The Guilford Press; 1 edition (March 7, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1462503764
• ISBN-13: 978-1462503766
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.3 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #116,555 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A major milestone! April 23, 2012

By Tom Pedulla

Format:Hardcover

As a long-time meditator and practicing psychotherapist, I love the way this book deepens the connection between the two traditions. By illuminating the role of wisdom and compassion, it truly advances the mindfulness conversation, taking us right to the heart of where Buddhist and Western psychologies intersect. It's a practical, readable, expertly edited volume, and features significant contributions from an all-star lineup of clinicians, scientists and scholars, including Marsha Linehan, Daniel Siegel, Tara Brach, Alan Marlatt, Richard Davidson, Paul Gilbert, Barbara Frederickson, Robert Sternberg, John Makransky, and Andrew Olendzki. Some chapters are archival, such the the ones by Marsha Linehan and Alan Marlatt, where they describe the origins of their well-known and highly regarded treatment approaches. Others are visionary, such as the seminal contributions by the Buddhist teachers. I was touched by the warmth of the writing and the remarkable scholarship throughout the book -- a true meeting of heart and mind. In my opinion, this book will be an important resource to mental health professionals and students for many years to come. -- Tom Pedulla, LICSW

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Real Deal November 2, 2012

By mindfulpsyche

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Germer and Siegel have outdone themselves with this second, decisive textbook on Mindfulness and Psychotherapy. This book is an antidote to the saturation of "McMindfulness" books that have unfortunately populated the psychotherapy marketplace since publication of their first seminal textbook in 2005. By choosing to focus on the cultivation of compassion and wisdom--the two wings of enlightenment--they have relegated mindfulness back to its rightful place as a tool for cultivating these qualities rather than an end in itself. This allows their book to successfully elucidate the "deepening in" that has been so needed on the clinical use of mindfulness. The beauty of this book is it features excellent chapters written by the crème de la crème clinicians and researchers who have long been involved in studying neuroscience of meditation and/or delivery of mindfulness and heartfulness interventions in mental health settings. Many of the contributors are IMP faculty, most are serious, longtime meditation practitioners, and there are even a few dharma teachers. The style of the book is largely secular and focused on offering information with a plethora of citations on the latest research. As in their first book clinical interventions are offered for patients and clinicians, and there is a wonderful chapter on cultivating wisdom through ethical conduct targeted specifically for psychotherapists. I was happy to see the inclusion of chapters on trauma, substance use disorders, and relationships, along with the usual topics of depression, anxiety and personality disorders. Bravo!

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow- What a Resource! July 15, 2012

By ctw

Format:Hardcover

I've only just started reading, but already I'm impressed and learning so much. Solid on research, solid on practical wisdom, solid on theory and what a list of heavy hitter contributors!