Product Description

Perhaps the most important aspect of the therapeutic process is the relationship between therapist and client. For years, two major schools of thought have strongly disagreed about what the nature of that relationship should be. The humanists emphasized warmth and empathy. The psychoanalysts kept a neutral, cool distance. Recently, however, the beginnings of a reconciliation between these traditions have opened new possibilities for the way therapists relate to clients.

In Between Therapist and Client, Michael Kahn shows why this new consensus is promising. Beginning with Freud's discovery of transference, Kahn traces the history of the clinical relationship from Carl Rogers' introduction of humanistic concerns through Merton Gill's theory and technique of transference analysis, to the pioneering work of Heinz Kohut, who has most successfully brought together psychoanalytic and humanistic thought. Using vivid examples from his own practice, Kahn shows how a coherent synthesis of these various approaches leads to the most successful clinical relationships.

Completely updated with greater discussion of ethics and countertransference, the new edition of Between Therapist and Client is essential reading for those in psychotherapy both therapist and client.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #99714 in Books
• Published on: 1997-09-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

From Library Journal
This revised edition of the 1991 original has been updated to include the latest developments in the merging of the humanist and psychoanalyst approaches to the client/therapist relationship. A good title for public and academic collections.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Scientific American
An unexpected pleasure...Readable at all levels, it captures the essence of the therapeutic relationship, with all its challenges and rewards.

From The New Yorker
Between Therapist and Client is a heartfelt and readable work, touching many nuances of the eminently human encounter that is the therapeutic relationship.

Customer Reviews

Wonderful book for anyone learning the art of psychotherapy
As a graduate student newly entering the world of psychotherapy from a professional standpoint, I found Michael Kahn's book a real reading treasure. His explanations of issues such as transference (and countertransference), and the way in which these phenomena have been viewed over time, was interesting to read and valuable learning for any therapist-to-be. He does a beautiful job of taking theoretical information and explaining it in such a way that it can be understood and utilized immediately with clients. Also, Michael brings a personal touch to his book which I found increases it's worth even further. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in learning about psychotherapy, particularly self-psychology; and I sincerely hope he decides to write more in the future!

An essential for the budding therapist
This is a clear, well-written book that examines those elements of the therapist-client relationship which can either be therapeutic or anti-therapeutic. Kahn gives a brief overview of the different perspectives of transference/countertransference and how to use these aspects effectively while avoiding common pitfalls. I strongly recommend this text for beginning graduate students of psychotherapy.

A Must on Transference
Michael Kahn's book is, by far, the best treatment of the therapist-client relationship which we call "transference". My professional organization, the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, regularly has workshops on this theme (and counter-transference) at its annual conferences, because as Kahn says, psychotherapy is only as successful as the relationship the therapist has with his client. It amazes me that, to the best of my knowledge, the state prescribed curriculum for psychology here in Florida offers no credit for courses on this topic. Nevertheless, I strongly recommend this book for this crucial subject.