Relational Integrative Psychotherapy: Engaging Process and Theory in Practice

Relational Integrative Psychotherapy by Linda Finlay is a tour de force. Drawing on a wealth of knowledge from her experience of different therapies she interweaves them, engaging a coherent relational focus that is both impressive and elegant. Linda s mastery of the art of writing is evident throughout the book as she fearlessly unpacks highly complex theory with clarity and humility.

Dr Ken Evans, Fellow RSA, Fellow EAIP, Hon Member EAGT, President of the European Association for Integrative Psychotherapy (EAIP)

Linda Finlay has an engaging writing style. She draws from an extensive range of authors and amalgamates concepts from several schools of psychotherapy. The frequent use of therapy vignettes vividly illustrates the various theoretical concepts and methods described throughout this informative text, while the inclusion of existential–phenomenological philosophy enriches the relational focus. This is an ideal textbook for those students seeking to identify their own model of psychotherapy integration as well as for the advanced practitioner seeking a review of salient concepts.

Dr Richard G. Erskine, Training Director, Institute for Integrative Psychotherapy; past President of the International Integrative Psychotherapy Association

In recent years, psychotherapists have begun embracing and advocating the need to move towards a more holistic, relational, integrated practice. In Relational Integrative Psychotherapy Dr Linda Finlay paves the way for this shift by outlining a form of therapy that prioritises the client and allows for diverse techniques to be integrated within a strong therapeutic relationship. Designed specifically to be used by trainees and novice therapists, this is an accessible and evidence–based introduction to an innovative therapeutic approach. The book is divided into two sections: the first exploring the fluid nature of real–world practice and the processes that occur across all modalities; and the second examining relational integrative work through six distinct theoretical lenses (cognitive, existential–phenomenological, gestalt, psychoanalytic, systems theory and transactional analysis).

Featuring numerous case studies, extensive endnotes, Theory boxes and illustrative diagrams, Relational Integrative Psychotherapy will be an invaluable resource for any student, practitioner or teacher who is actively engaged in enhancing therapeutic practice.

Foreword by Ken Evans ix

Preface xi

Acknowledgements xiii

1 What is Relational Integrative Psychotherapy? 1

Part I Being and Doing Processes 13

2 Meeting and Contracting 15

3 Engaging the Therapeutic Process 30

4 Empathising and Attuning 46

5 Holding, Containing and Boundarying 59

6 Resourcing: Nurturing Skills and Mobilising Coping Strategies 76

7 Intuiting, Imagining and Interpreting 88

8 Challenging 104

9 Integrating 120

10 Ending 136

Part II Theory Applied to Practice 149

11 Cognitively Orientated Therapy 151

12 Existential Phenomenology: Theory and Therapy 167

13 Gestalt Theory and Therapy 183

14 Relational Psychoanalytic Theory in Practice 198

15 Systemic Theory and Therapy 212

16 Transactional Analysis 226

Postscript 241

References 243

Index 255

LINDA FINLAY is a relational–centred, existential Integrative Psychotherapist (UKCP registered) in private practice. She has published numerous books, including Phenomenology for Therapists: Researching the Lived World (Wiley, 2011), Relational–centred Research for Psychotherapists: Exploring Meanings and Experience (with Ken Evans, Wiley, 2009) and The Practice of Psychosocial Occupational Theory (3rd edition, 2004). A frequent speaker at conferences and institutions across the UK and abroad, Linda also currently teaches with the Open University.