Dr. Wishnie's book is an excellent primer for the understanding and learning how to manage countertransference with a broad spectrum of patients, but it is also much more. It is a general introduction to the contemporary approach to the psychoanalytic psychotherapy of personality disorders. The work has a particular focus on the centrality of transference/countertransference binds in these cases, and their understanding and technical management by the psychotherapist. This volume is to be warmly recommended to the beginning psychotherapist, and also to the advanced psychotherapist who wishes to deepen his knowledge and understanding of the implications of the contemporary object relations approach to psychoanalytic psychotherapy.
Otto F. Kernberg, M.D., director, Personality Disorders Institute, Cornell Medical Center; president, International Psychoanalytical Association This book will be of interest to candidates just getting started and experienced clinicians. The writing is clear, informal, and personal, with the emphasis on clinical experience. This is a well-written book. The author's writing style is clear, relaxed, and honest....
The American Journal of Psychoanalysis
This valuable book fulfills an essential need for therapists. Focusing on the important subject of countertransference with clarity, directness and clinical wisdom, Howard Wishnie not only discusses a wide range of countertransference issues thoughtfully and with insight, but offers a rich array of clinical examples that provide practical guidance on how to deal with these difficult situations. This is a book that should be required reading for anyone working in the field of psychotherapy.
Theodore J. Jacobs, M.D, training and supervising analyst, New York Psychoanalytic Institute and New York University Psychoanalytic Institute Howard Wishnie has done the field of psychotherapy an important service. In this book, he has taken the complex, intimate psychotherapeutic relationship and translated its unfolding process into readily graspable, experience-near language. Avoiding jargon, while maintaining close contact with the literature, Dr. Wishnie illuminates with courageous illustrations from his own work the intimate ways therapists must open their vulnerabilities in role in order to learn from their patients. I recommend this book as an important teaching tool for all those interested in learning about psychodynamic psychotherapy.
Edward R. Shapiro, M.D., The Austen Riggs Center, The Boston Psychoanalytic Institute The text is readable, touches on many aspects of countertransference involvements, and would serve beginning psychotherapists well in deepening their awareness of the complexities of countertransference experiences.
W. W. Meissner, S.J. M.D.
Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic: A Journal for the Mental Health Professions, Vol. 71, No. 4 (Fall 2007)
This book will be of interest to candidates just getting started and experienced clinicians. The writing is clear, informal, and personal, with the emphasis on clinical experience. This is a well-written book. The author's writing style is clear, relaxed, and honest.
The American Journal of Psychoanalysis
This remarkable book demonstrates the author's hard earned ability to confront and metabolize his countertransference biases in the most wide-ranging clinical situations for the ultimate benefits of his patients. The clearly presented examples deal with almost every ambiguity that contemporary practitioners face, like the dilemma of whether and when to suggest medication. The compelling depth of insight contained in this volume will richly reward both beginning and experienced clinicians.
George Fishman, M.D., director of psychotherapy training, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center