Psychotherapy Isn't What You Think: Bringing the Psychotherapeutic Engagement into the Living Moment

by James F.T. Bugental

"The time has come for a major shift in how we think about and how we do psychotherapy," proposes James Bugental. And in a major new contribution - Psychotherapy Isn't What You Think - he explains why it is necessary that psychotherapists redirect their attention from gathering information about the client to attending to the client's actual experiencing in the living moment. This change in the focus of therapist concern, he asserts, enriches the work, as therapeutic partners discover what is most truly alive in their immediate engagement. In bringing this aspect to the fore, they can begin to identify ways in which it is part and parcel of the client's way of conducting life. The phenomenon of transference is a familiar one, but in this context, it gains greater power to bring about significant life changes. Dr. Bugental's conception is basically simple; its application is more challenging. The author provides many clear examples of the idea in action and a vast array of practical tips for accessing the newfound productivity that this conception makes available. Drawing on more than three decades of teaching and practice, Dr. Bugental is careful to avoid becoming esoteric. He speaks directly to his readers, describing vividly "what attending to the living moment" means in actual therapy. Psychotherapy Isn't What You Think may just be the most important addition you make to your clinical perspective. Partial Contents
What Is "The Living Moment"? Living Is Only in the Now
Understanding Searching and Concern
The Necessity for Space Suits
Life Vital and Limiting
Developing and Tuning the Third Ear
A Client's Eye View
Refining and Extending Therapist Artistry
The Experiencing-Centered Orientation
Life Is Not What You Think

Genres: Psychology, Counselling, Nonfiction

278 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1999

About the author

James Frederick Thomas Bugental was one of the predominant theorists and advocates of the Existential-humanistic therapy movement. He was a therapist, teacher and writer for over 50 years. He received his Ph.D. from Ohio State University, was named a Fellow of the American Psychological Association in 1955, and was the first recipient of the APA's Division of Humanistic Psychology's Rollo May Award. He held leadership positions in a number of professional organizations, including president of the California State Psychological Association.

Reviews

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Experiencing the now*

Bugental's book serves as a great reminder that the healing essence of therapy is found in the living moment between therapist and client. Striving to explore the client's experiencing in the here-and-now (instead of collecting facts in a "who-done-it" type investigation), this humanistic-existential approach to therapy invites the client to find their own truth, while in the safe and ever-present company of the therapist. By helping the client to engage in the living moment in the therapy room, the therapist can ultimately help the client to engage fully in their relationships with self and others outside of the therapy.

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read for all clinicians...the first half of the book alone is worth it.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bugental is no Yalom, for sure. What he lacks in style he makes up for in consistency. Actual. Actual. Actual. He is at times repetitive and goes on a little to long. He is a little more new age and less academic than my taste. For his faults, I still find his model "the best" and despite having two existentialist therapists and a third in workshop in my life, have yet to see his methods in practice. The case studies are great and the explanations of what is going on after are informative. Reading one or two of his books is probably more than enough to get the point across if you're willing to hear him out.