Nick Totton 
Psychotherapy and Politics [PDF ebook] 

` This is one of the most comprehensive books that I have read that addresses the relationship between therapies, the social and the political. Comprehensive in the sense that it covers many areas in short but succinct chapters which focus on particular relationships in the field. It is, in some way, a textbook, rather than a monograph and I would imagine that students of the field would find it a useful source of reference that they would return to time and again′ –
Psychotherapy & Politics

`SAGE′s invariably stimulating book series ′Perspectives in Psychotherapy′, edited by Colin Feltham, is certainly fortunate to be graced by the latest addition from Nick Totton, who offers us a tour de force of the diverse and manifold ways in which therapy and politics interpenetrate and inform each other′ – Richard House, Self & Society

`This is a truly outstanding book. In a world riven with anger, hatred, fear and aggression it provides a window of rationality, inspired by intelligence, understanding and humanistic principles′ – The Journal of Critical Psychology, Counselling & Psychotherapy

`This stimulating addition to SAGE′s catalogues aims to give the practising counsellor/therapist a multi-dimensional overview of the various ways in which the political and psychotherapeutic worlds interface′ – Association for University and College Counselling Newsletter

This stimulating book explores the long-standing relationship between psychotherapy and politics and argues that from the beginning psychotherapy has had a political face.

Documenting instances where ideas from psychotherapy have been incorporated into the political agenda, the book demonstrates the practical value of psychotherapy as an instigator of social and political change. Related to this, attempts to understand and evaluate political life through the application of psychotherapeutic concepts are examined.

The author poses a number of key questions, including: What is human nature? Are aggression and violence innate in us? Is the therapeutic relationship inherently unequal? And, is the political an appropriate topic for therapy and counselling?

Tabela de Conteúdo

Introduction

Psycho-Politics

Entering the 21st Century

PART ONE: PSYCHOTHERAPY IN POLITICS

`Right′ and `Left′ Therapists up to 1945

Alternative Realities

Therapy for the People

Deconstructing Mental Illness

Conflict and Community

Pressing for Policy Changes

Conclusion to Part One

PART TWO: PSYCHOTHERAPY OF POLITICS

Culture on the Couch

Psychohistory and the Family

Gender and Sexuality

The Roots of Hatred

Conclusion to Part Two

PART THREE: POLITICS OF PSYCHOTHERAPY

Psychotherapy under Totalitarianism

Psychotherapy in the Public Eye

The Institutions of Psychotherapy

Challenging the Institutions of Psychotherapy

Conclusion to Part Three

PART FOUR: POLITICS IN PSYCHOTHERAPY

Challenging Bias and Ideology

Challenging the Therapeutic Relationship

Beyond Therapy?

Conclusion to Part Four

Sobre o autor

Nick Totton is a psychotherapist, group leader and trainer in private practice in Leeds. Originally a Reichian practitioner, he currently uses and teaches his own synthesis, Embodied-Relational Therapy, drawing on psychoanalytic, process-oriented and humanistic elements. He is a founder participant in the Independent Practitioners Network and a member of the European Association for Body Psychotherapy.