This book describes the real-life journeys of women psychotherapists: why each woman chose this profession and what she learned about others—and most importantly, about herself—in this choice. Most critically, these women now share how they have integrated this wisdom into their everyday lives. While psychotherapists may also be authors, few write books about their journeys in the profession. Women Psychotherapists: Journeys in Healing is one of those rare books. Each contributor invites her readers onto the road traveled by the woman who listens to others needing her help and guides them into living a more joyous, successful life, even as she moves towards greater fulfillment in her own life. Contributions by Carla Bradshaw; Thema Bryant-Davis; Lillian Comas-Díaz; Janice Crawford; Beverly Fauman; Beverly Greene; Cinzia Levalds; Patricia Pitta; Jennifer Ruff and Pratyusha Tummala-Narra Reviews: Kudos to Drs. Comas-Diaz and Weiner for having conceptualized this project and brought together 11 articulate, thoughtful psychotherapists. Their highly personalized stories of how they evolved into healers are both instructional and inspirational to women therapists at any age or level of experience. Women Psychotherapists:Journeys in Healing belongs in every woman therapist's library. — Dorothy W. Cantor, PsyD, Former President: American Psychological Association The editors have collected rich, compelling stories of the life journeys of eleven wisewomen who are noted psychotherapists and healers. Each wisewoman shares poignant and personal accounts of the influences in her life that have led to the path she has followed and the joy she feels in her current career. Each brings us a unique understanding of diverse and significant aspects of the process of psychotherapy and its relationship to healing. A treasure for the thoughtful therapist — Bonnie R. Strickland, PhD, Past-President, American Psychological Association This treasure provides unique and invaluable views into the life experiences of a very diverse group of experienced women psychotherapists. The stunningly good anthology provides insights about how these amazing women's life circumstances contributed to their development. Mental health professionals and consumers, both women and men alike, will identify and resonate with the encouraging, uplifting, and inspiring stories of struggles and triumphs. — Melba Vasquez, PhD, American Psychological Association President, 2011 This book has beautifully met the purpose of the editors and perhaps exceeds it.... Comas-Diaz and Weiner have contributed a rich and layered rendering of women psychotherapists' lives. Their book will be inspiring and useful for both beginning and advanced practitioners. This contribution may spark a desire for more texts about advanced development for psychotherapists and connections between spirituality and practice. — PsycCRITIQUES Contents: Chapter 1 Dedication Chapter 2 Acknowledgments Chapter 3 Introduction: Wisewomen: The Evolution of Female Psychotherapists Chapter 4 The Birthing of a Womanist Psychologist: On Becoming a Guide to Healing and Empowerment Chapter 5 Hannah Krants' Conversion Chapter 6 (As) If I Had a Choice Chapter 7 Psychologist by Accident, Profession by Choice: My Journey of Compassion and Service Chapter 8 Slave and Midwife: Healing in the Midst of Social Injustice Chapter 9 The Woman Psychotherapist: A Spiritual Perspective Chapter 10 Transcultural Woman: Healing in a Strange Land Chapter 11 The Delicate Art of Connection and Healing Chapter 12 Becoming a Psychotherapist: Discovering the Self amidst Cultural Shifts Chapter 13 Unbroken Chain Chapter 14 Adversity, Healing and the Development and Practice of a Woman Psychologist Chapter 15 Conclusion: Women of Words: Psychotherapy from a Feminine Perspective Chapter 16 Index Chapter 17 About the Contributors About the Editors: Lillian Comas-Díaz, PhD, is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Washington, D.C. and a clinical professor at the George Washington University School of Medicine. Marcella Bakur Weiner, PhD, is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Brooklyn and New York City. She is the author of Psychotherapy and Religion: Many Paths, One Journey.
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