Synopsis: This is a book that grew out of the many practical "how-to" questions that the author's psychotherapy students have asked him over the years. It is neither an evidence-based compendium nor an attempt to summarize general practice or the viewpoints of others, but rather a handbook of practical answers to many of the questions that may puzzle students of psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. Some of the short chapters include: How to choose a personal psychoanalyst How to do an initial interview How to listen to a patient How to recognize and understand self-states, multiple identities, true and false selves, etc. How to tell what the transference is How to deal with the sadomasochistic transference How to understand the need for recognition How to think about analytic process How to practice holistic healing How to refer a patient for medication How to get paid for your work How to manage vacations, weekends, illnesses, no-shows and other disturbances of continuity While trying to give simple answers to sometimes very difficult questions, it is written at a level of sophistication that may make it of interest even to experienced practitioners. Description: ‘This book is a little gem; words of practical wisdom by a master clinician. Sheldon Bach has long been regarded as an analyst’s analyst, a voice of experience that transcends categorization into singular schools of thought. Here is his advice for the beginner, the fundamentals of clinical practice, of holistic healing, and of the therapist’s own self-care.’
- Lewis Aron, PhD, Director, New York University Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis ‘Dr Bach’s book is perhaps the quintessential volume on how to proceed as a psychoanalytic therapist. It is, however, much more than that; it is a book that contains the wisdom of a master clinician delivered in a manner that is readily accessible at many different levels. On a first reading, one might think that, yes, this is very helpful and I am glad to have received this guidance. On a second reading, one begins to realize that a view of psychoanalysis is subtly
inculcated in the text and that the depth and scope of the material stirs one to consider some of the basic concepts in our field in a new light. It is a book for the young clinician to help them begin to find their way, and a book for older clinicians to help them more fully understand the pathways that they have traversed.’
- Steven J. Ellman, Professor Emeritus, City University of New York, Faculty and Supervisor, Post-Doctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis, New York University Notes about the author: Sheldon Bach, PhD, is Adjunct Clinical Professor of Psychology at the New York University Postdoctoral Program in Psychoanalysis, a Training and Supervising Analyst at the New York Freudian Society, and a Fellow of the Institute for Psychoanalytic Training and Research and of the International Psychoanalytical Association. He is in private practice in New York City. --- from the publisher | 
