Routledge Working with Sexual Attraction in Psychotherapy Practice and Supervision: A Humanistic-Relational Approach

Working with Sexual Attraction in Psychotherapy Practice and Supervision addresses some of the challenges associated with sexual attraction in psychotherapy practice and supervision, as well as within services, and helps therapists, supervisors, and managers to navigate them with openness and self-reflection. The book focuses on practical and applied issues, using a relational humanistic-integrative theoretical approach as a backdrop for understanding. Split into three parts, it deals with issues related to clinical practice, supervision and ethical issues. Chapters support in-depth exploration in all three arenas of practice and are completed by editors providing a reflective summary. Enriched with case examples and research written by senior relational practitioners, the book will be beneficial to therapists, supervisors, and service managers in the field of psychotherapy. Review ‘If ever there was a text to help us navigate the treacherous waters of sexual and erotic material within therapeutic and supervisory relationships, this is it! With scholarship, clinical wisdom and not a little courage, Van Rijn and Lukac-Greenwood have brought together a collection of new essays that offer invaluable insights into the complexities of acknowledging and working with issues of sexual attraction in therapy and clinical supervision. Drawing on a wide range of theoretical ideas as well as some fascinating clinical material, they and their contributors encourage psychotherapists and other psychological practitioners to reflect openly and deeply on their practice and to engage more fully with the personal, ethical and relational issues that emerge from working with sexuality in the consulting room. This is a brave, timely and thought-provoking book: I will certainly be recommending it to all my colleagues and trainees.’ Rosemary Rizq, PhD. Professor of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, University of Roehampton. ‘Kudos to Jasenka Lukac-Greenwood and Biljana van Rijn for this remarkable collection of essays taking up the complex and compelling challenges of working with the vital and disturbing forces of eros and sexuality as they come alive within the therapeutic process. Writing within the humanistic/relational traditions, each author, while speaking in a personal voice, addresses questions of far-reaching theoretical and clinical concerns. This book is quite unique in speaking to the emergence of sexual dynamics within supervisory relationships as well as the therapeutic. This is a book that will bear multiple readings and will be an invaluable resource to practitioners, supervisors, educators and trainers.’ William F. Cornell, Independent Psychotherapist and Consultant, Pittsburgh, PA. Author and Editor of Routledge series, "Innovations in Transactional Analysis" ‘This is an impressive book about sexual dynamics in the therapeutic encounter. It is multi-layered and rich -with a welcomed relational humanistic-integrative framework on personal as well as socio-cultural constructs about self and sexuality. It is a must-have for all therapists, I can’t recommend it enough!’ Dr Sofie Bager-Charleson, Senior Fellow (SFHEA), Director of Studies (Management) MPhil/PhD in Psychotherapy Metanoia Institute ‘Addressing what, for many, is a complex and frightening area to understand and work with, this book offers a frank, thought-provoking, and encouraging approach to many of the concerns that therapists struggle with when it comes to working with sexual attraction in the therapy room. A welcome addition to the library of students and experienced therapists alike, the reader will find a host of stimulating and well-argued papers. Each of which gives voice to how within a relational humanistic-integrative perspective, the emergence and development of sexual dynamics in the therapeutic encounters can be thought about, engaged with, and drawn upon for maximum therapeutic benefit.’ Heather Fowlie Faculty Head - P