Working in the Countertransference: Necessary Entanglements

by Howard A Wishnie

Overview

Countertransference responses within the therapist pose a formidable challenge for the clinician, who must carefully examine reactions that may be distressing. These potentially disruptive responses, however, are a valuable source of understanding that can deepen the therapeutic process. This book presents numerous manifestations of countertransference interactions and how they influence treatment, and gives guidelines for effective clinical interventions.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780765703699
Publisher:	Aronson, Jason Inc.
Publication date:	11/15/2004
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	6.04(w) x 9.26(h) x 0.81(d)

About the Author

Howard A. Wishnie, M.D., maintains a private practice in psychotherapy and psychoanalysis in Newton and Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Preface Chapter 2 Living in Countertransference Chapter 3 Styles of Communication Chapter 4 Force and Coercion Chapter 5 Maintaining Empathy Chapter 6 Enactment and Intervention Chapter 7 Subtler Forms of Enactment Chapter 8 Twinship Transference Chapter 9 Unsolicited Personal Disclosures: Useful Strategy or Therapeutic Mistake? Chapter 10 Erotic Countertransference: A Response to Frustration, Despair, Loneliness, Loss, Anger, Denial? When is Eros really Eros? Chapter 11 Countertransference and Psychopharmacology Chapter 12 Summary and Guidelines Chapter 13 Bibliography Chapter 14 Index

Editorial Reviews

This book will be of interest to candidates just getting started and experienced clinicians. The writing is clear, informal, and personal, with the emphasis on clinical experience.
This is a well-written book. The author's writing style is clear, relaxed, and honest.

The American Journal Of Psychoanalysis

Dr. Wishnie's book is an excellent primer for the understanding and learning how to manage countertransference with a broad spectrum of patients, but it is also much more. It is a general introduction to the contemporary approach to the psychoanalytic psychotherapy of personality disorders. The work has a particular focus on the centrality of transference/countertransference binds in these cases, and their understanding and technical management by the psychotherapist. This volume is to be warmly recommended to the beginning psychotherapist, and also to the advanced psychotherapist who wishes to deepen his knowledge and understanding of the implications of the contemporary object relations approach to psychoanalytic psychotherapy.

Otto F. Kernberg

This valuable book fulfills an essential need for therapists. Focusing on the important subject of countertransference with clarity, directness and clinical wisdom, Howard Wishnie not only discusses a wide range of countertransference issues thoughtfully and with insight, but offers a rich array of clinical examples that provide practical guidance on how to deal with these difficult situations. This is a book that should be required reading for anyone working in the field of psychotherapy.

Theodore J. Jacobs

Howard Wishnie has done the field of psychotherapy an important service. In this book, he has taken the complex, intimate psychotherapeutic relationship and translated its unfolding process into readily graspable, experience-near language. Avoiding jargon, while maintaining close contact with the literature, Dr. Wishnie illuminates with courageous illustrations from his own work the intimate ways therapists must open their vulnerabilities in role in order to learn from their patients. I recommend this book as an important teaching tool for all those interested in learning about psychodynamic psychotherapy.

Edward R. Shapiro

The text is readable, touches on many aspects of countertransference involvements, and would serve beginning psychotherapists well in deepening their awareness of the complexities of countertransference experiences.

Bulletin Of The Menninger Clinic, Vol. 71, No. 4 (Fall 2007) - W.W. Meissner

This remarkable book demonstrates the author's hard earned ability to confront and metabolize his countertransference biases in the most wide-ranging clinical situations for the ultimate benefits of his patients. The clearly presented examples deal with almost every ambiguity that contemporary practitioners face, like the dilemma of whether and when to suggest medication. The compelling depth of insight contained in this volume will richly reward both beginning and experienced clinicians.

George Fishman

The text is readable, touches on many aspects of countertransference involvements, and would serve beginning psychotherapists well in deepening their awareness of the complexities of countertransference experiences.

Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic: A Journal for the Mental Health Professions, Vol. 71, No. 4 (Fall 2007) - W. W. Meissner

This book will be of interest to candidates just getting started and experienced clinicians. The writing is clear, informal, and personal, with the emphasis on clinical experience.
This is a well-written book. The author's writing style is clear, relaxed, and honest.

The American Journal of Psychoanalysis