ABSTRACT

Why do people want to become a psychotherapist? How do they translate this desire into reality?

On Becoming a Psychotherapist explores these and related questions. Ten leading therapists write about their profession and their careers, examining how and why they became psychotherapists. The contributors, representing a wide cross-section of their profession, come from both Britain and America, from different theoretical backgrounds, and are at different stages in their careers. They write in a personal and revealing way about their childhoods, families, colleagues, and training. This absorbing and fascinating book offers a fresh perspective on psychotherapy and the people attracted to it.

This Classic Edition of the book includes a new introduction written by the authors and will be invaluable for qualified psychotherapists and those in training.

part I|12 pages

Introduction

chapter 1|11 pages

The therapist as a crucial variable in psychotherapy

ByPaul Gilbert, William Hughes, Windy Dryden

part II|172 pages

The contributions

chapter 2|16 pages

The object of the dance

ByMichael J. Mahoney, Stuart C. Eiseman

chapter 3|20 pages

Through therapy to self

ByIrene Bloomfield

chapter 4|16 pages

The blessing and the curse of empathy

ByBrian Thorne

chapter 5|17 pages

Chance and choices in becoming a therapist

ByP. Paul Heppner

chapter 6|14 pages

Living vs. survival: a psychotherapist's journey

ByMarcia Karp

chapter 7|15 pages

My career as researcher and psychotherapist

ByHans H. Strupp

chapter 8|18 pages

A fight for freedom

ByFay Fransella

chapter 9|14 pages

Challenging the ‘White Knight'

ByEddy Street

chapter 10|21 pages

A late developer

ByJohn Rowan

chapter 11|20 pages

Rhythm and blues

ByJocelyn Chaplin

part III|51 pages

Commentaries

chapter 12|25 pages

The self and the therapeutic domain

ByLaurence Spurling, Windy Dryden

chapter 13|25 pages

Ten therapists: the process of becoming and being

ByJohn C. Norcross, James D. Guy