A half-century of psychotherapy research has shown that the quality of the therapeutic alliance is the most robust predictor of treatment success. This unique book provides a systematic framework for negotiating ruptures and strains in the therapeutic alliance and transforming them into therapeutic breakthroughs. Cutting-edge developments in psychoanalysis and other modalities are synthesized with original research and clinical wisdom gleaned from years of work in the field. The result is a practical and highly sophisticated guide that spells out clear principles of intervention while at the same time inspiring therapists toward greater creativity.

About the Author

Jeremy D. Safran, PhD, until his death in 2018, was Professor of Psychology at the New School for Social Research, where he served for many years as Director of Clinical Training, and Senior Research Scientist at New York's Beth Israel Medical Center. A renowned psychotherapy researcher, clinician, teacher, and mentor, Dr. Safran was past president of the International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy. He was a recipient of honors including the Senior Distinguished Research Career Award from the Society for Psychotherapy Research and the Scholarship and Research Award from Division 39 of the American Psychological Association.

J. Christopher Muran, PhD, is Chief Psychologist and Director of the Brief Psychotherapy Research Program at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City, where he also maintains a private practice.

Reviews

While clinical research has demonstrated the efficacy of a variety of psychotherapeutic procedures, what is often overlooked is the critical role played by the 'common factors' of psychotherapy. This important book details procedures for optimizing the therapeutic alliance and maximizing treatment effectiveness. It should be read by all clinicians.--David H. Barlow, PhD, Professor and Director Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Boston University

This is a brilliant book. Informed by the authors' internationally recognized research program on ruptures in the therapeutic alliance, the book is enlightening in two major ways. First, its focus on ruptures opens a route to understanding the nature and utility of the therapeutic alliance. Second, the authors show how to negotiate ruptures, offering a veritable guide to moving from rupture to healing. Focusing on an important and neglected area of clinical training, this is an invaluable text for beginning and advanced psychotherapy courses.--Lester Luborsky, PhD

An unparalleled achievement....Among the few comprehensive texts that truly integrates ongoing empirical research with cutting-edge developments in clinical psychoanalysis, as well as elements of other therapeutic modalities....This book will be used both as a classroom text and as a sourcebook for working clinicians, researchers, and theorists.--Lewis Aron, PhD

- The quality of the therapeutic alliance is the most powerful predictor of success in psychotherapy. Given the inevitability of stresses, strains, and breakdowns in that alliance, the identification and repair of these difficulties are among the most important skills for the psychotherapist to acquire....[This book] belongs in the library of every mental health professional who practices or teaches psychotherapy. --American Journal of Psychiatry, 5/24/2003

Book Information
ISBN 9781572308695
Author Jeremy D. Safran
Format Paperback
Page Count 260
Imprint Guilford Publications
Publisher Guilford Publications
Weight(grams) 400g