Therapist and Client

Nolan’s integrative approach to psychotherapy is unique. It draws together concepts and practices from many therapeutic traditions including humanistic, client-centered, gestalt, psychoanalytic, object-relations, interpersonal and body-oriented approaches. It also takes account of recent advances in developmental psychology and neuroscience. Through clinical case material this book offers a novel perspective on a range of critical issues including the centrality of the therapeutic alliance, matching the therapeutic process to clients’ needs, and addressing mind-body and self-other dualities. Nolan is widely acclaimed for his approach to psychotherapy training. This book is long awaited and should be read by both psychotherapists in training and experienced therapists.
—Alan Carr, Director of Clinical Psychology, University College Dublin, Ireland

Drawing on findings from infant research, many schools of psychotherapy, and other disciplines including neuroscience, plus over thirty years of clinical experience, Patrick Nolan affirms the relational field as the locus of both suffering and healing. In doing so he challenges our ideas about the nature of individual psychopathology and re-visions the role of the therapist. Therapist as tender of the Hachoka – The Lakota word for sacred circle; the dynamic web of relationships in which we are each embedded. This is a valuable guide for psychotherapists attempting to forge a relational way of working.
—Michael Kearney, Medical Director of Palliative Care, Cottage Health Systems, California; author of ‘Mortally Wounded: Stories of Soul Pain, Death, and Healing’ and ‘A Place of Healing: Working with Nature and Soul at the end of Life’