On Becoming a Psychotherapist

by Windy Dryden (Editor), Laurence Spurling (Editor)

Overview

Why do people want to become a psychotherapist? How do they translate this desire into reality? On Becoming a Psychotherapist explores these and related questions. Ten leading therapists write about their profession and their careers, examining how and why they became pyschotherapists. The contributors, representing a wide cross-section of their profession, come from both Britian and America, from different theoretical backgrounds, and are at different stages in their careers. They write in a personal and revealing way about their childhoods, families, colleagues, and training. This absorbing and fascinating book offers a fresh perspective on psychotherapy and the people attracted to it.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781134959389
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	09/02/2003
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	272
File size:	596 KB

About the Author

Laurence Spurling, Windy Dryden

Table of Contents

Contributors, Preface, Part I: Introduction, Part II: The contributions, Part III: Commentaries, Appendix, Author index, Subject index

Editorial Reviews

A collection of 10 personal accounts by individual therapists from different theoretical backgrounds, who each write on title subject. One one point they agree: it is not a therapist's training or background that is important but who he is. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

'On Becoming a Psychotherapist is a wonderful compilation of very intimate autobiographical essays that serves to shed light on the worlds of therapists. It is a fascinating look into the personal lives of psychotherapists. Psychotherapists that read this book may feel inspired to write their own essay using the format provided by the editors in the appendix of this book. This book has inspired more research in this area upon its original publication in 1989.' – Mona Zohny, Hunter College, International Journal of Psychotherapy

'In this unique volume seasoned psychotherapists provided candid insights into their own experiences of personal and professional development, giving first hand evidence of the challenges involved in therapeutic self-reflection. Well worth revisiting several decades on.' – Professor Emmy van Deurzen, Principal NSPC.

'On Becoming a Psychotherapist still puts flesh on the bones of the truths of psychotherapy and counselling: that we are all Wounded Healers. That it is the person who heals and not the method or technique. That becoming a therapist is a journey as much as a decision. That knowledge easily degenerates into dogmatism. It is quite startling to realise that there are still not many books that show the honesty and transparency that these contributors bring to their chapters.' – Andrew Samuels, Professor of Analytical Psychology, University of Essex

'Twenty-five years since its original publication this text and the questions it contained in it remain relevant for all practitioners interested in reflecting on the influence of personal material…I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting this text and regard it as an essential read and addition to my bookshelf.' – Michelle J Cooke in Private Practice

From the Publisher