A Curious Calling: Unconscious Motivations for Practicing Psychotherapy

by Michael B. Sussman

In this book, "What brings you here?" - the standard opening question asked in therapy - is posed to therapists themselves. It is a study of the unconscious factors that contribute to the decision to become a psychotherapist. Regardless of primary discipline, a major determinant of this career choice is the wish to resolve one's own emotional problems. When understood and mastered, however, such difficulties allow therapists to be more effective. Those who have experienced and borne emotional pain have an enhanced capacity to empathize with it and to understand it in others.
Sussman approaches therapists' motives from drive, self, and object relations theory. Some of the dynamics sadistic and masochistic tendencies, maternal identification, strong narcissistic needs for omnipotence, sensitivity to the unconscious needs of others, strong dependency needs, and unconscious rescue fantasies. Each therapist presents a unique combination of underlying dynamics contributing to the desire to practice psychotherapy. Some determinants promote the therapeutic process, while others are neurotic (or psychotic) and are potentially destructive.
There are hidden dangers for therapists when their motives remain unexplored. One of these hazards is that practitioners are at greater risk for burnout. By recognizing and mastering the pathological sources of their wish to heal, psychotherapists can ultimately heal their own wounds and achieve a more loving and creative helping capacity.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction

304 pages, Hardcover

First published July 7, 1977

About the author

Abandoned by a cackle of hyenas, Michael Sussman endured the drudgery and hardships of a Moldavian orphanage until fleeing with a traveling circus at the age of twelve. A promising career as a trapeze artist was cut short by a concussion that rendered him lame and mute. Sussman wandered the world, getting by on such odd jobs as pet-food tester, cheese sculptor, human scarecrow, and professional mourner while teaching himself the art of fiction. He now lives in Tahiti with Gauguin, an African Grey parrot.

Reviews

[Maleah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a thought-provoking read that inspired curiosity around one's "calling" to become a professional healer. The book speaks specifically to the psychoanalytic profession, though it would likely be valuable to anyone in a healing or caretaking role.

I found this book to be an honest invitation for one to consider the various unconscious factors that contribute to the decision of becoming a psychotherapist, including unresolved oedipal conflicts, narcissistic ego-ideals, unconscious rescue fantasies, and a maintenance of the omnipotent and grandiose self. A must-read for anyone entering a healing profession to minimize the possibility of significant or harmful psychological conflicts of their own in response to their clients.

I'm left examining my own answers to the following questions - "Who am I doing this for? Myself or the client? And why?"

[Raluca Neagu · Rating 3 out of 5]

„O chemare curioasă” este o carte de început de drum, menită să te provoace la o autoanaliză, să te facă să observi ce te aduce de fapt pe drumul psihoterapiei și ce te va menține pe această cale de vindecător. Motivațiile ascunse ale acestei profesii nu sunt doar pozitive așa cum ne-am fi așteptat (altruismul, nevoia de cunoaștere, curiozitatea, dorința de a salva) ci au un conținut latent care e bine să fie descoperit (de exemplu, în spatele dorinței de a-i ajuta pe oameni stă nevoia de a fi în control sau narcisismul).
Cartea este structurată pe mai multe motivații inconștiente: Motivații legate de pulsiuni (conflicte oedipiene nesoluționate, formațiune reacțională împotriva agresivității), Motivații legate de dezvoltarea sinelui (nevoi narcisice, idealul eului exagerat), Motivații ce presupun relații de obiect (nevoia de putere și control, conflicte legate de separare, intimitate).

Lectura este anevoioasă pentru că aceasta carte conține multe studii de specialitate, autori, exemple, pe baza cărora trebuie să reflectezi și să te autoanalizez. O recomand doar celor care vor să devină psihoterapeuți și cred că pe mine m-a ajutat să înțeleg ce m-a determinat să aleg această profesie. Te încurajează să faci exerciții introspective și să apară insight-uri.

[Ivi · Rating 2 out of 5]

O psihanaliza a meseriei de terapeut

[Blake Bettis · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded down, really. An easy, enjoyable read that isn’t necessarily revelatory but provides nice stimulus for self-reflection if you’re an up-and-coming or already established therapist. Hindered a bit by dated, normative readings of the Oedipal model which I found irksome but not prohibitive.

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

lots of interesting things to think about. I was less interested in the profiles at the end.

[John Rapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Basic premise is that most people entering the psychotherapy profession have a moderate to severe degree of emotional disturbance and the unconscious wish to come to terms with their own psychological conflicts. Many are able, through personal therapy, to understand and resolve their conflicts adequately, but some do not.