Cradling the Chrysalis

'This is one of the very few books I have ever found that takes seriously the experience of training in psychotherapy and argues (and demonstrates) that it is something to reflect on. The authors talk to each other about theory and practice, ethics and experience. I came to really enjoy this strategy and found myself thinking and almost commenting out loud in a way that I seldom do when following the "straightforward" explication of theory. What is particularly heartening about this book is the way in which the authors allow us into their dilemmas rather than simply explaining the right way to do something. Mary MacCallum Sullivan and Harriett Goldenberg remind us that the essence of psychotherapy is the search for meaning inherent in that which we see, rather than a practice that diagnoses and imposes meaning on a phenomenon.'- Professor Martin Milton, Professor of Counselling Psychology, Director of Counselling Psychology programmes, Regent's School of Psychotherapy and Psychology'Within this thought-provoking volume, these two highly experienced and accomplished psychotherapists and trainers engage with the fundamentals of what psychotherapy is and the spirit in which it is practised. This discussion is all the more apposite given that it is conducted whilst acknowledging the pressing challenges psychotherapy currently faces: the need to be evidence based and the pressure to manualise training, to name but two. In many ways, this book represents a muchneeded endeavour to reclaim the heart and soul of psychotherapy. This is essential reading for all psychotherapists, regardless of experience or modality, who care about the future of their profession.'- Lars Carson, UKCP-registered integrative psychotherapist in independent practice