Loving Kindness in Psychotherapy

This book explores the importance of loving kindness in psychotherapy, arguing that it is essential to building trust and assisting recovery from emotional injury. It draws from attachment theory, affective neuroscience, and psychodynamic psychotherapy to apply to case studies and themes from literature and biography. The book will appeal to psychotherapists, counselors, and other mental health professionals, as well as medical and palliative care professionals, educators, clergy, theologians, and philosophers.

Format: Hardback
Length: 194 pages
Publication date: 12 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the profound significance of loving kindness,embedded within the confines of professional practice,in fostering the trust essential to the therapeutic relationship. Heather Reeves makes a compelling case that loving kindness holds both biological and ethical importance in aiding individuals in recovering from the trauma of emotional injury. By proposing a renewed philosophical and cultural discourse on its significance in professional work with vulnerable populations, Reeves sheds light on the transformative power of this virtue.

At the heart of this philosophical exploration lies the concept of alterity, or the recognition of the subjective reality of others, which was developed by Emmanuel Levinas and has been expressed in psychotherapy theories since the mid-twentieth century. Through the application of insights drawn from attachment theory, affective neuroscience, and psychodynamic psychotherapy, Reeves weaves together a rich tapestry of understanding. Case studies, one of which is written by a client, are presented alongside themes from literature and biography, including the enduring impact of the COVID pandemic.

Loving Kindness in Psychotherapy will captivate psychotherapists, counselors, and other mental health professionals, as well as a diverse range of readers, including medical and palliative care practitioners, educators, clergy, theologians, and philosophers. This insightful and thought-provoking book offers valuable insights into the power of loving kindness and its potential to enhance the healing journey of individuals and communities.

Weight: 540g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032200743