The Art and Science of Relationship

‘I love reading this book. It is an essential text in my counselling and psychotherapy courses. I find the relational orientation to be informative, powerful, and comprehensive while the style of writing makes the concepts and methods easy for trainees to learn. The various examples of actual therapy help my trainees to be effective therapists and also help me to be a better trainer and supervisor.’

-- Elena Maria Guarrella, Trainer and Supervisor, Istituto di Analisi Transazionale Integrativa, Roma, Italy

‘This splendid book is ideal for the experienced psychotherapist and mental health counsellor while also serving as an important professional guide for someone new to the professions. It conveys Richard Erskine’s and Janet Moursund’s very meaningful philosophy, theory, and methods of relational psychotherapy. The authors address the therapeutic relationship with respect, profundity, and hope. The relevant case examples make the theory come alive. It was a pleasure to read this book and learn from two master psychotherapists.’

-- Amaia Mauriz-Etxabe, licensed clinical psychologist, certified integrative psychotherapist, trainer and supervisor; Professor of Psychology, Deusto University; Director, BIOS Institute for Integrative Psychotherapy, Bilbao, Spain

‘I love this book. The writing is simple, yet the authors cover a vast knowledge of psychotherapy and counselling while offering practical guidelines on how to work with our clients. Throughout this book, I was accompanied in understanding how authentic relationships are achieved, maintained, and repaired when disrupted. The transcripts of actual therapy sessions, and the authors’ explanations, reveal how a relationally focused integrative psychotherapy enhances our clients’ healing and wellbeing. This book is a must-read for all mental health practitioners.’

-- Karen Cesarano, chartered psychologist and psychotherapist; trainer and supervisor, International Integrative Psychotherapy Association

'As an integrative counsellor, I found this the most comprehensive and useful book on the subject I've come across [...] My favourite part of the book is 'Therapeutic interventions', which feels very containing and takes you step-by-step through the therapeutic encounter, starting from the first session to eventually saying goodbye. [...] This is an engaging textbook about working relationally that would be useful for any therapist, regardless of their modality.'

-- Kevin Franke, integrative counsellor and group facilitator, 'BACP Therapy Today', October 2023,