Psychotherapy Grounded in the Feminine Principle

by Barbara Stevens Sullivan

This groundbreaking book offers an exciting proposal for approaching therapeutic work from a perspective that emphasizes the feminine principle of holding and containment, while also recognizing a necessary place for the masculine. Sullivan demonstrates the real possibility of an integrated practice with the potential to heal both men and women. Barbara Sullivan grew up in New York City where she studied at the School of Performing Arts. She attended Stanford University and the University of Michigan, and was certified as a Jungian analyst at the C. G. Jung Institute of San Francisco. Barbara Stevens Sullivan's finely honed argument challenges her readers to look again at the power of the feminine in the therapeutic process. Her frank discussions of interactions in her own office stimulate similar depths of honesty in us. Much to ponder here! -Marion Woodman This is a pioneering book-original, challenging, and exciting. It belongs on the desk of every psychotherapist. Sullivan's female approach must be the foundation for the psychotherapy of tomorrow. She demonstrates a commitment to humanity, to life, and to the future which is the only possible hope for the continuance of life on this planet. This is the most important book on psychotherapeutic process that I have read in fifty years . -Joseph Wheelwright This book presents an important perspective clearly, with both intelligence and feeling. It synthesizes and critiques a wide variety of theoretical perspectives from a base of sensitively assimilated clinical experience. I especially appreciated the many revelations of the reality of the psyche as it opens itself to be seen and creatively lived in the contemporary consulting room. Sullivan's approach to psychotherapy is open to each client's particular needs, neither bound by doctrinaire limitations nor loosely or thoughtlessly permissive. -Sylvia Brinton Perera Barbara Stevens Sullivan integrates object relations and Jungian theoretical orientations in a passionate approach to the real clinical situation that should interest any practicing therapist. She knows her stuff well (in so far as it is stuff which can be known). The clinical material is brilliant-accessible, clearly described, and quite open to discussion and debate. -Andrew Samuels Chapter 1 The Feminine Principle Chapter 2 The Art of Psychotherapy Chapter 3 The Archetypal Foundations of the Therapeutic Process Chapter 4 Psychotherapy Grounded in the Feminine Principle Chapter 5 The Role of the Masculine Chapter 6 An Archetypal Perspective Chapter 7 Two Clinical Examples Chapter 8 The Disliked Patient

Genres: Psychology, Philosophy

224 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1989

Reviews

[B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best-written, deepest exploration of the world of intersubjective relations in the therapeutic context that I have read. There is so much here that it took me months to read and digest it, only to feel that this one must be re-read "through blurry eyes" at a future date.

[Maria Menozzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

My therapist actually recommended this book and being interested in Depth psychology and being a practitioner with mostly a female population, this was invaluable and immeasurably worthwhile. Written in the mid-1980's, it's themes continue to resonate today, some thirty years later and continue to need application. One of the reasons I am glad it was suggested to me was because working in addictions treatment, there is great bias toward those struggling to overcome addiction and especially women. The whole philosophy behind addictions treatment is masculine in orientation; moving from thinking to feeling to changing behaviors without interventions that make space for reflection, healing of the soul, witnessing and, most importantly, challenging those societal and political beliefs of a need for constant achievement in the material world. This book reminds those of us who do healing work how detrimental it is to treat the whole person and to challenge not only the collective mindset of client but our own socio-political beliefs about ourselves and the populations we work with. It is as relevant today as when it was written and should have been required reading for my graduate program. This is now one of my official reference books for therapeutic interventions.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This text is an absolute gem within the Jungian tradition. Very worthy read for all psychodynamic psychotherapists in training.