The concept of the real or personal relationship between client and therapist has existed since the earliest days of psychotherapy. Yet the real relationship-with its twin components of genuineness and realism has often been misunderstood or ignored. Instead, psychotherapy research has focused largely on the concepts of the working alliance and of transference and counter-transference. In this engaging book, Charles J. Gelso argues the case for the relevance of the real relationship to successful therapeutic outcomes.

About the Author
Charles J. Gelso, PhD, has been a professor of psychology in the Department of Psychology at the University of Maryland, College Park, since 1970.

He has published widely on the topic of the therapeutic relationship, including both empirical and theoretical articles and books. His work has focused on the real relationship, therapist countertransference, patient transference, the therapist-patient working alliance, and the interplay of these key concepts.

He has also been the editor of major journals, including his most recent editorship of Psychotherapy Theory, Research, Practice, & Training. He has maintained a practice in psychotherapy throughout his career.

Dr. Gelso has received many honors and awards, including the Leona Tyler Award (from the Society of Counseling Psychology of the American Psychological Association), which is the top award in counseling psychology given for outstanding contributions to the field; the Distinguished Psychologist Award from APA Division 29 (Psychotherapy); and a grant in his name awarded annually by APA Division 29.

Among his previous books are The Psychotherapy Relationship: Theory, Research, and Practice (1998) and Countertransference and the Therapist's Inner Experience: Perils and Possibilities (2007).



Book Information
ISBN 9781433808678
Author Charles J. Gelso
Format Hardback
Page Count 187
Imprint American Psychological Association
Publisher American Psychological Association