Wisdom and Compassion in Psychotherapy

Although wisdom and compassion are seldom discussed in the mental health literature, few would disagree that these qualities are important elements of all good treatment. But what exactly is wisdom? What is compassion? What is their relationship to psychological well-being, suffering, and psychotherapeutic change? Bringing together leading scholars, scientists, and clinicians, this volume integrates insights from ancient contemplative practices and modern research. It presents powerful methods that therapists can use to cultivate wisdom and compassion in themselves and their clients. Seamlessly edited, the book features numerous practical exercises and rich case examples. It illuminates the nature of wisdom and compassion for both therapists new to this area and those already familiar with mindfulness- and acceptance-based practices. Chapters examine whether these qualities can be measured objectively, what they look like in the therapy relationship, and how to integrate them into treatment planning and goal setting. Emphasis is given to how wisdom and compassion allow us to overcome experiential avoidance/m-/to tolerate, accept, and even grow from suffering. Effective strategies are provided for addressing specific clinical challenges including anxiety, depression, trauma, substance abuse, suicidal behavior, couple conflict, and parenting stress. Innovative clinical techniques are described and the theory and research that support them are summarized. The book also probes the neurobiological foundations of wisdom and compassion, including compelling findings on the effects of mindfulness meditation on the brain. Engaging, accessible, and inspiring, this volume is essential reading for clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, clinical social workers, family therapists, and counselors. Its strong research base and practical, real-world focus also make it a useful text for graduate-level psychotherapy courses.