Principles and Practices of Relational Psychotherapy

Rolf Holmqvist is a Professor of Clinical Psychology at Linköping University, Sweden, where he researches and teaches in psychotherapy. He has worked as a psychotherapist and clinical supervisor for 50 years.

Holmqvist achieves the dual feat of capturing the complexity of an influential tradition in contemporary psychotherapy and opening new pathways to expand and improve its clinical impact. As an integration of rich theoretical constructs, illustrative cases, practical guidelines, and up-to-date empirical findings, this is a fascinating book!Louis G. Castonguay, Ph.D.Liberal Arts Professor of Psychology, Penn State UniversityHolmqvist takes us on a comprehensive journey that thoughtfully considers critical questions and concerns of relational psychotherapies. He captures the complex and integrative spirit of the relational revolution –in addressing such subjects as affectivity, attachment, mentalization, metacommunication, and intersubjectivity (plus the various paradoxes and pressures posed). His presentation is rich with insights and illustrations that reflect years of experience in the realms of theory, research, and practice. Professionals at all levels of training will appreciate his exceptional ability to turn the conceptual into the practical.J. Christopher Muran, PhD, Full Professor, Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology, Adelphi University; Principal Investigator, Psychotherapy Research Program, Mount Sinai Beth Israel

• Foreword; PART I Principles; 1. Invitation; 2. Empirical studies; 3. The road to the relational perspective; 4. Problems in relating; 5. Theoretical principles; 6. Problems, goals, procedures, and processes; 7. Affects, attachment, and mentalizing in the therapeutic relationship; 8. Support and challenge; 9. Recipes and tools; PART II Practices; 10. David; 11. Try to understand who the patient is; 12. Listen for your own thoughts, fantasies, and feelings; 13. Stay in the present, be concrete and specific; 14. Be spontaneous, be genuine, and talk about your reactions; 15. Be mindful of the affective interplay; 16. Attend to the common potential space; 17. Listen for conflicts, stay in conflicts; 18. Meta-communication; 19. Model mentalizing; 20. See the patient from the outside; 21. See yourself from within; 22. How to develop as a relational psychotherapist; References; Index