A Psychotherapy of Love: Psychosynthesis in Practice

Illuminates the role of empathic love in psychotherapy. This book shows what psychosynthesis looks like in the empirical practice of psychotherapy. Originally conceived by Italian psychiatrist Roberto Assagioli, psychosynthesis is one of the first Western psychologies to include theoretically both the psychological and spiritual dimensions of the person and to address healing and growth at both of these levels. In effect, it offers an approach to psychotherapy founded in altruistic love, a love that nurtures the innate drive within human beings to embrace and actualize the whole of who they are. Authors John Firman and Ann Gila explore how this empathic altruistic love impacts the actual therapeutic situation and what is involved for the therapist in providing this love for another. They include experientially based models and theory, case studies from both the client and therapist perspectives, and an invitation for both the professional and the layperson to the self-reflection, inner work, and commitment necessary to love and work at this depth.