Wisdom and Compassion in Psychotherapy

therapy; Foundation Professor of Psychology Emeritus, University of Nevada, Reno

"With this enlightening volume, Germer and Siegel bring the dialogue between contemporary psychotherapy and Buddhist psychology to a new level, proposing that compassion and wisdom--like mindfulness--are capacities that can be deliberately cultivated to promote health and well-being. Enlisting contributions from fields as diverse as neuroscience, theology, trauma studies, and positive psychology, Germer and Siegel have put together a book that is stimulating, scholarly, and, above all, clinically relevant. This book illuminates fresh directions and resources for psychotherapy, bringing an inspiring sense of possibility to the 'impossible profession.'"--David J. Wallin, PhD, private practice, Mill Valley and Albany, California

"This book examines the nature of wisdom and compassion in psychotherapy from every conceivable perspective. Buddhist psychology, neurobiological foundations, psychological research, and clinical applications all receive thoughtful and comprehensive treatment. Clinicians, scholars, teachers, and students interested in the alleviation of human suffering will appreciate this volume, especially its emphasis on the cultivation of mindfulness and loving-kindness skills as paths toward the wisdom and compassion that are so essential to effective psychotherapy."--Ruth A. Baer, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky -A welcomed addition to a clinical social worker's library....The editors have thoughtfully organized this book to be inclusive of multiple ways of knowing and viewing the world. It is not often that ethics, spirituality, neuroscience, philosophy, and professional development are combined into one resource for social workers. The authors approach their argument for the centrality of wisdom and compassion within psychotherapy from a Buddhist tradition; however, a practitioner from any spiritual tradition will find themes that resonate and can be applied to their work.--Social Work and Christianity, 11/17/2015 A...very important aspect of this book is its breadth of perspectives on the topic....Will appeal primarily to practicing psychotherapists who desire an in-depth conversation about the theory and research of compassion and wisdom because it has a heavier focus on practice than do some other volumes. The other nice aspect of this volume is that the Buddhist foundations for the concepts used in therapy are very clearly laid out. Because Part III focuses on specific clinical applications of principles of compassion and wisdom introduced throughout earlier sections, it will appeal to clinicians working with these specific groups.--PsycCRITIQUES, 1/23/2013