ABSTRACT
The present chapter aims to extend the original integrative thrust of relational psychoanalysis by looking toward the potential contribution of therapeutic approaches outside the psychoanalytic realm. It is not that difficult to see how contributions from family systems and experiential/emotion-focused approaches can complement relational theory and practice, but for most relationalists, cognitive-behavioral therapy is rather thoroughly perceived as “other” and either ignored or disparaged. In this chapter I examine closely the aspects of cognitive-behavioral thought and practice that are indeed incompatible with the values and sensibility of relational psychoanalysis, in order to probe and clarify where there may be surprising compatibilities and synergies. In doing so, I focus especially on introducing relational readers to the more constructivist and affect-centered versions of CBT with which they are likely to be less familiar.
