Object Relations and Integrative Psychotherapy: Tradition and Innovation in Theory and Practice

This book explores how an object relations-integrative perspective may combine in-depth psychodynamic principles and theories with the flexibility afforded by an integrative framework. Object relations theory is rooted in a psychoanalytic tradition which views individuals essentially social and holds that their need for others is primary. Integrative psychotherapy attempts to combine the theories and/or techniques of two or more therapeutic approaches. This volume is useful for graduates, undergraduates and trainee psychotherapists as well as social workers, psychologists, psychotherapists and counsellors who are interested in broadening their understanding of different therapeutic approaches and intefrative endeavours. The contributors consist of an international group of practitioners and theoreticians who draw on the knowlege of object realtions and other therapeutic orientations as well as innovations in the integrative movement. Some of te contributors grapple directly with integrative questions, while others examine ways of working with specific client groups or methods, where integrative ideas enrich their work.