Interpersonal Process in Psychotherapy: A Relational Approach

I was a doctoral student in clinical psychology when I first read this wonderful book. I had struggled with the coldly analytic nature of cognitive therapy while not feeling 100% comfortable with the more abstract nature of some of the humanistic approaches to treating patients. When I came across Teyber's text, it felt like a breath of fresh air in that he was able to provide a cohesive framework for working with a patient's sense of self without ignoring or minimizing the emotional aspects of therapy. I have now moved on and have completed an M.D., but I still value Teyber's work whenever I struggle to understand the world that my patients' experience and the emotional consequences of that world.

As a beginning therapist I found the Interpersonal Process in Psychotherapy: A Relational Approach, by Edward Teyber, to be extremely helpful and useful. This book effectively translates the often abstract and intangible framework of relational counseling theories into pragmatic interpersonal interventions. Dr. Teyber's words do not read like a theoretical textbook, but rather, as an easy to interpret and highly applicable manual for the student therapist. This book provides the reader with clear and concise explanations of theoretical components so as to assist in the formulation of case conceptualizations. The text provides descriptions, interpretations, and the use of specific relational and interpersonal interventions. Lastly, Dr. Teyber provides extremely helpful vignettes demonstrating the concepts and interventions with sample dialogues between clients and therapists. Throughout this book the reader often feels as though a supervisor is assisting him or her with actual cases, while providing useful tools for translating theory into practical and realistic treatment interventions. I highly recommend this book for beginning therapists who are seeking concrete answers to their reality based questions and concerns about how best to serve the needs of their clients.

Teyber's excellent discussions of the client-therapist relationship, resistence, conflicted emotions, and other aspects of psychotherapy are invaluable for therapists in training. In fact, I still find myself referring back to the book at times - years after first reading the second edition. It's not a cheap book, but definitely worth every penny.

In my seven years of doctoral training in psychology, this is by far the most helpful textbook I ever purchased. Teyber provides a coherent articulation of how the therapeutic relationship fosters client change. It is one of the most readable, usable texts I've ever encountered. Even though it is intended for beginning practicum students, I often refer back to it when I am stuck with a difficult client. I supervise doctoral students in-training, and this book is always my first recommendation.