Odysseys in Psychotherapy

Abstract

JOSEPH J. SHAW, PH.D., AND JOAN WHEELIS, M.D. (EDS.): Odysseys in Psychotherapy, Arendt, Media Inc., New York, 2000; 428 pp; $44.95, ISBN 0-8290-5215-1 This book presents collection of 18 essays by senior representing varying disciplines and programs in United States and London. The editors asked each to describe their personal evolution, in terms of early family upbringing, and entry into field of psychotherapy, and their early training and mentors. They were also asked about moments in their careers and experiences which led them to modify or change beliefs with which they began. The editors write that the underlying metaphor of this book is that change processes in field are reflected in very changed processes in distinguished and thoughtful psychotherapists (p. 7). They go on to say that not all perspectives are reflected in selection of these authors, but their hope is that our selection is broad enough to illuminate major thrust of volume, namely, that wide range of therapists share significant conclusions while at same time diverging widely from one another (p. 8). Some of contributors reveal very candid vignettes of their personal family history, upbringing, and experiences that led them to consider field of psychiatry and psychotherapy as profession. Additionally, most of contributors began their professional careers influenced by, and maintaining significant psychoanalytic perspective based on classical drive model of psychopathology. However, virtually all of them found that in their clinical experience this model was not always helpful in dealing with many of phenomena that they encountered in their practice. Hence, for most of contributors there occurred progressive shift in theory and technique to more active, interactional, and interpersonal two-person psychological approach to process of therapy. In that sense, they also demonstrate how specific life experiences and situations influenced their thinking and their approach to patients in their treatment practice. Another important, virtually universal, experience among these particular contributors is influence of their mentors on their theoretical and clinical work. Most describe how particular individual or group of individuals has modified their particular understanding or approach, and identifications that took place in process of interaction between mentor and individual in question. Sophie Freud says, am in firm agreement with theory that many mental health professionals become therapists to make up for not having been able to heal their own parents (p. 97). She goes on to say of her personal psychotherapy and her manifest resistances to an intensive involvement: did not experience any change in my behavior or relationships even with child in question (whose problems led her to seek help), and I did not learn anything new about my life. It was, for me, simply chance to have an experience of delightful attentiveness for one hour week (p. 107). Other contributors voice complaints about their experience in psychoanalytic situation as analysands during era when one-person model of psychoanalysis was reigning paradigm of treatment. Edward R. Shapiro develops idea that autocratic European background of early psychoanalysts led to rigidity, suppressed innovation, and exclusion of nonmedical minds in this country. He points out how experience of observing individuals in context of their families and lives broadened his appreciation of issues involved in psychotherapy, and he attempts now always to include larger context of couple, family, group, organization, and larger society. In spite of this, he maintains that there has been a renaissance of applications of psychoanalytic thinking: in literature, sociology, anthropology, history, and organizational consultation. …