Every new therapist faces their first session with trepidation. How should they prepare for it? Theory and techniques are covered over the course of many years in varied programs that psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and others undergo. Trainees in residency programs and medical schools, as well as psychologists and social workers read many books that discuss various aspects of psychotherapy and/or analysis. Yet how do they know which tools to apply on that first day, and over those first few weeks? Beginnings in Psychotherapy will help readers to begin to answer these questions and start psychotherapy with increased confidence. It will provide readers with an understanding of the foundational tools and background, as well as providing a comfort level with the new territory of becoming a therapist. The author shares his years of experience, in a conversational, accessible tone, without being dogmatic or dense. He engages readers warmly, immediately helps them expand their understanding by looking at the pros and cons of certain decisions, without insisting that the readers follow any particular rule or policy. This book will serve as a guide for the 100,000 plus undergraduate and graduate students in all the disciplines that practice psychotherapy, including psychiatry, psychology, social work, art therapy and pastoral counseling. It should prove to be an ideal text for classes that introduce students to practical psychotherapy within their clinical experience. Reviews: “Presenting the framework and guiding principles of psychoanalytic psychotherapy for the beginning therapist is a daunting challenge. Dr. Eichler expertly meets this challenge. The essentials of therapeutic interaction are concisely and lucidly explained and aptly illustrated with clinical vignettes. In this remarkable volume the fundamental principles of therapeutic technique, the underlying psychoanalytic theory from which technique derives, and the application of psychoanalytic formulations to clinical syndromes are discussed with insight. Conscious and unconscious, transference and counter-transference, regression and progression, all receive cogent explanation. Problems and pitfalls are carefully considered. Dr. Seth Eichler has created a source book on dynamic psychotherapy that will be richly rewarding for students of psychotherapy at all levels of experience.”
- Harold P. Blum, MD, Director, Sigmund Freud Archives, Former Editor, Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association, Training and Supervising Analyst , NYU Psychoanalytic Institute, NYU Medical Center
“This lively, easy to read guidebook for beginning therapists presents basic material to the new therapist in brief chapters that can be easily digested. It is filled with useful clinical examples, has enough theory to make sense of the clinical examples, but does not get bogged down in overly technical discussions or psychodynamic jargon. Dr. Eichler’s therapeutic empathy is here revealed toward his reader as he promptly anticipates questions that may occur to the beginner, either answering them on the spot or saying that they will be answered later in the volume. Everything written here is sensible and well thought out, and reading the book has the dual result of conveying essential information and comforting the reader. This volume is a find for new therapists and very instructive to those teachers who educate them.”
- Charles Tolk, MD, Director , NYU Psychoanalytic Institute, NYU Medical Center Table of Contents:
Acknowledgements
Section I: Expanding Minds: Learning to Think Analytically
1) On Beginnings
2) On Meaning: Understanding Why We Do What We Do
3) On Gratification and Deprivation
Section II: Tools and Techniques
4) On Regression and Its Use: Insight Oriented Versus Supportive Approach; Transference; Countertransference: Regression in the Therapist; Neutrality; Safety and Freedom; Confidentiality; Time: Frequency and Timelessness; Free Association; Silence; Ambiguity; The Couch
5) The Frame: Time; The Physical Office; Money; Handling Missed Sessions
6) Creating a Therapeutic Atmosphere: The Therapeutic Alliance
7) The Consultation: The Analytic Inquiry
Section III: Guideposts for our Work in Listening and Intervening
8) Guideposts for our Work in Listening and Intervening: Empathy; Analytic Listening; Educating The Patient; Educating Patients On Their Jobs; Educating About Cure: How Treatment Works; On Listening II: Learning To Understand And Cure; On Resistance; Following the Affect; Off-Key Notes; Patterns; Keeping Self-Esteem In Mind; Going After Pain; Detective Work; The Three Areas Of Mental Content; Treatment As A Listening Focus; Context And Contiguity; The Lecture and the Lab; Intervening
Section IV: "Our Patients Are Our Textbooks": Lessons From Clinical Cases
9) Patient A. Educating About Cure; The Strands Of The Rope
10) Patient B. Encouraging Self-Observation
11) Patient C. Identifying Themes and Furthering Understanding Of How Symptoms Develop
12) Patient D. Understanding The Repetition Compulsion and Unconscious Fantasy: Unconscious Fantasy; Working Through
13) Patient E. Giving Patients New Insights About Common Themes; Symptoms Are Fueled By Gratification; We Work Pre-Consciously
14) Patient F. Working With Dreams
Section V: Conclusion
15) On Endings: The Room
Bibliography
Lyric Acknowledgement
Index
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