It Takes Two to Know One : The Therapy Relationship and Unconscious Dialogues

This book explores the nature of relational psychoanalysis in clinical practice, based on the author’s foundational papers written over the past twenty-five years. As a first generational relational analyst, Bass's book demonstrates the depth, scope and healing power of mutual transformation for patient and analyst alike within the analytic frame.Patient and analyst demonstrably co-create the psychotherapeutic space, situation, structure and experience, and together, promote mutual growth and healing.Drawing on the revolutionary work of Sandor Ferenczi, this book expands our understanding of therapy as a ‘dialogue of unconscious,’ revealing the ways in which the bi-directional currents of unconscious communication may be creatively utilized as an essential therapeutic tool.It sheds light on the conditions for actualizing a flexible, contextual use of the self in therapy, establishing an ever-deeper foundation for clinical work as it progresses. With illuminating case studies and accessible language, this book is a must read for psychotherapists practicing a wide range of dynamically informed approaches and for anyone interested in learning new developments in therapy as it is practiced today.