Dialogue Therapy for Couples and Real Dialogue for Opposing Sides: Methods Based on Psychoanalysis and Mindfulness

Reviews and Endorsements

"This ambitious, beautifully written text represents decades of accumulated clinical wisdom. Integrating feminism, Buddhism, psychoanalysis, and empirical scholarship, the authors show how to help antagonistic parties to listen respectfully, grow in self-knowledge and autonomy, and appreciate the equal humanity of the other. Their work is both inspiring and quintessentially practical. I recommend this book to all therapists who work with couples as well as to professionals in the fields of coaching, consulting, and conflict resolution." - Nancy McWilliams, Ph.D.,　Psychoanalytic Diagnosis, Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy.

"We live—politically and psychologically—in a world of deaf ears, isolated silos, and grotesque caricature.　For democracy to survive, we need to find ways to listen deeply, see others’ points of view, respect difference and generate creative dialogue.　In this exciting and ground-breaking book, Pieniadz and Young-Eisendrath describe the conceptual and practical tools this requires. Elegantly eclectic, they integrate ideas from psychoanalysis, feminism, psychodrama, attachment theory and Buddhism. Central to their practice are attentive witnessing, dialogic space, and validation of autonomy. Real Dialogue has implications that extend far beyond couple therapy to conflict resolution and political change. Beautifully and accessibly written, it will appeal to a wide audience of both professional and lay readers." - Jeremy Holmes, M.D., University of Exeter, U.K.

"It is well known that Dialogue Therapy—since its creation four decades ago by Polly Young-Eisendrath—has helped lift countless intimate partners out of deadening　 emotional ruts.　 This book describes and develops the model which　 makes brilliant use of psychoanalysis, mindfulness, and psychodrama. Couple therapists of all schools of thought will benefit from the authors'　 description of a method which goes beyond interpretation and transference cures.　 It will be essential reading for those who aspire to see love　 "as a form of psychological and spiritual development." - Deborah Anna Luepnitz, Ph.D., author of　Schopenhauer's Porcupines: Intimacy and Its Dilemmas.