This book presents a comprehensive integrative theory and style of therapeutic involvement that reflects a relational and non-pathological perspective. It discusses various psychotherapy theories and methods, and examines the implications and magnitude of an involved therapeutic-relationship.

The authors present their empirically based model of therapeutic presence, along with practical, experiential exercises for cultivating presence.

Designed specifically for the needs of trainees and newly-qualified therapists, Relational Integrative Psychotherapy outlines a form of therapy that prioritizes the client and allows for diverse techniques to be integrated within a strong therapeutic relationship. Provides an evidence-based introduction to the processes and theory of relational integrative psychotherapy in practice Presents innovative ideas that draw from a variety of traditions, including cognitive, existential-phenomenological, gestalt, psychoanalytic, systems theory, and transactional analysis Includes case studies, footnotes, ‘theory into practice’ boxes, and discussion of competing and complementary theoretical frameworks Written by an internationally acclaimed speaker and author who is also an active practitioner of relational integrative psychotherapy

Written by leaders in the field of relational integrative psychotherapy, this book offers trainees and experienced therapists a methodology for assisting people in rediscovering their ability to maintain genuine relationships and, thus, better psychological health. This classic edition includes a new preface by Richard G. Erskine that reflects on changes in the field since the book’s first publication. Drawing from Rogers' client-centered therapy, Berne's transactional analysis, Perls' Gestalt therapy, Kohut's self-psychology, and the work of British object-relations theorists, this book accessibly introduces the authors’ Keyhole theory while using real life interchanges between therapists and clients to illustrate key concepts. The second part of the book details the application of this method in therapy work and provides transcripts from seven therapy sessions. These include examples of relational psychotherapy, psychotherapeutic regression, working with a parental introject, couple psychotherapy, as well as detailed explanations of the therapeutic methods. An undoubtable classic, the book’s conversational style makes the theory and methods of a relationally based integrative psychotherapy come alive. This versatile approach to therapy promises to be effective across a wide range of therapeutic situations, making this a valuable book for both students and practicing clinicians throughout the spectrum of mental healthcare providers.

A Healing Relationship is about a relationally focused psychotherapy, how the author works, and why. The first couple of chapters provide a brief orientation to relationally focused aspects of an integrative psychotherapy. The heart of the book are the transaction-by-transaction examples of what actually occurred in the psychotherapeutic dialogue. It is composed of three verbatim transcripts along with annotations about what the author was thinking and feeling when he engaged in psychotherapy with each client. Many of the annotated comments as well as the actual therapeutic dialogue will describe some elements of the process of relationally focused psychotherapy and the reasoning behind his therapeutic comments, silences, and challenge. This book is intended to elicit a dialogue between the reader and the psychotherapist / author and is written as though a personal letter. Psychotherapy is such an interpersonal encounter - an intimate meeting of two souls. No two psychotherapists will ever do the same therapy, even with the same client, even if they use the same theory and methods. It is important to appreciate how each think about theories, the concepts that underlie the methods chosen, how each assess the therapeutic setting, and express personal temperament. Richard G. Erskine has taken an important step in communication about the practice of psychotherapy. Not only with this excellent book but also with video footage of the three therapy sessions, which will be made accessible to purchasers of the book. The overarching aim is to stimulate important conversations between colleagues; to both agree and disagree, to influence each other, to grow professionally, and to share knowledge.

Life Scripts: A Transactional Analysis of Unconscious Relational Patterns is an exciting collection of contemporary writings on Life Script theory and psychotherapeutic methods. Each chapter describes an evolution of Eric Berne's original theory and brings together a stimulating range of international perspectives, theoretical positions, clinical experiences and psychotherapy practices, as well as a psychotherapy story that illustrates the theory. The concept of Life Scripts has frequently been associated with the determinism represented in theoretical scripts, yet, this book offers some new and diverse perspectives. A few contributors address the significance of early childhood experiences in forming a Life Script, while others reflect the perspectives of post-modernism, constructivism, existential philosophy, neuroscience, developmental research, mythology and the importance of narrative.An illustrious group of authors has integrated a broad professional perspective into their understanding of a theory of mind, theories of personality and the methods of psychotherapy. Each chapter provides a unique theoretical perspective; some are provocative and challenge Berne's and others long held notions about Life Scripts.

Therapeutic presence allows mental health practitioners to engage more deeply with their clients and build a healing therapeutic alliance. This book outlines easy-to-use exercises that clinicians can implement in sessions and in their daily lives to develop therapeutic presence.