Presenting Past

Praise for the previous editions.. .a wonderfully readable overview of the developmental principles underlying psychodynamic counseling." Jan Grant Ph.D. senior lecturer Edith Cowan University Western Australia "This book is a wonderfully readable overview of the developmental principles underlying psychodynamic counselling. Theories of Freud Klein Winnicott Kohut and others are organized into three broad developmental themes - dependency autonomy and interdependence and illuminated with rich clinical examples. Jacobs' lucid lively style makes the connection between theory and practice clear and accessible. This outstanding book will appeal to established clinicians as well as students training in counselling and psychotherapy." Jan Grant Ph.D. Senior Lecturer Edith Cowan University
Western Australia "Michael Jacobs is a free spirit who roams purposefully in the often contentious world of the rival psychoanalytic traditions." Professor Brian Thorne Centre for Counselling Studies University of East Anglia "An original and reliable approach to the development of personality that every therapist and student therapist should possess. Jacobs one of the founders of psychodynamic therapy and counselling avoids the twin perils of unimaginative meaningless causality on the one hand and indifferent irresponsible reference to fate on the other." Andrew Samuels Professor of Analytical Psychology University of Essex A person's past is ever present from infancy to old age and it always affects the dynamics of therapy and the therapist-patient relationship. Written by one of the
most-cited counselling authors in Europe the bestselling The Presenting Past gives practicing therapists and students keen insight into the subject. The theories of Freud Winnicott Klein and others are organized into three main categories: trust and attachment; authority and autonomy; and cooperation and competitiveness. Known for his straightforward and accessible writing style in this new edition Michael Jacobs provides new clinical examples of issues concerning the past as they are presented to clients in counselling and psychotherapy and makes the connection between theory and practice even more seamless. Michael's commitment to explore the value of attachment theory for the psychodynamic practice continues with references to the latest cutting edge advances in this field being written
into the text. The book's new structure takes the reader into the main themes more quickly and seeing them in practice in therapy. A series of sessions beginning middle and end is then introduced before we proceed to look at the way past experience influences presenting issues. This is part of the evolution of the book and reflects Michael Jacobs' assertion the development of the text reflects 'the dynamic part of the term 'psychodynamic" and his commitment to draw on his lifetime's experience to enable psychodynamic counselling and therapy to have a truly human face."