Relational Patterns, Therapeutic Presence

'This book is a delight. Indeed, it is the best book I have ever read on psychotherapy with individual patients: ideal for teaching trainees, and at the same time a refresher and an inspiration for the seasoned. It should become recognized as a classic. Developed over many years of practice and theoretical deliberations, Richard Erskine's approach is indeed integrative, developmentally attuned, intersubjective, and co-constructed.'- James R. Allen, MD, MPH, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Rainbolt Family Chair in Child Psychiatry, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, USA; former President, International Transactional Analysis Association'Many of our colleagues and trainees have been requesting a book like this one. It is an excellent collection of psychotherapeutic essays that offers a thorough explanation of theoretical concepts, a deep understanding of clients' unconscious relational patterns and psychological needs, and an opportunity to learn how to create a profoundly respectful therapeutic relationship. Reading the essays in this book provided me with new insights, increased my empathy, and renewed my faith in our psychotherapy profession.'- Amaia Mauriz-Etxabe, clinical psychologist and Director, Bios Psychotherapy Institute, Bilbao, Spain'Richard Erskine's contribution to the theory and practice of psychotherapy has been enormous, and this volume brings together more than forty years of innovative thought. The book is a deep and coherent narrative which describes the theory and practice of the integrative approach developed by Erskine and his colleagues. In addition, there is a wealth theoretical discussion about transactional analysis, gestalt therapy, attachment theory, and self psychology, as well as aspects of psychoanalytic theory and neuroscience. The book is a treasure chest for integrative and transactional analysis psychotherapists alike.'- Professor Charlotte Sills, Metanoia Institute, UK, and Ashridge Business School, UK'Throughout this wonderful book, Richard Erskine fully demonstrates his skillful, innovative, and creative thinking. The focus of the book is relationally based integrative psychotherapy, exploring unconscious relational patterns (life scripts), relationships and attachment process, how healing occurs through the therapeutic relationship, and how the psychotherapist's job is to decode the unconscious story that has been revealed through the client's bodily reactions, relational crises, and intrapsychic conflicts. This stimulating and exciting work shows how each of these themes are applied within the clinical setting.'- Bob Cooke, TSTA, psychotherapist, supervisor, international trainer, and founder of the Manchester Institute of Psychotherapy, UK