From the Inside Flap
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.
Christopher Germer, PhD, has a private practice in mindfulness- and compassion-based psychotherapy in Arlington, Massachusetts, and is a part-time Lecturer on Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School/Cambridge Health Alliance. He is a founding faculty member of the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy and of the Center for Mindfulness and Compassion. His books include The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook and The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion (for the general public) and Teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program, Wisdom and Compassion in Psychotherapy, and Mindfulness and Psychotherapy, Second Edition (for professionals). Dr. Germer lectures and leads workshops internationally. His website is https: //chrisgermer.com.
Ronald D. Siegel, PsyD, is Assistant Professor of Psychology, part time, at Harvard Medical School/Cambridge Health Alliance, where he has taught since the early 1980s. He is a longtime student of mindfulness meditation and is a faculty and board member at the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy. Dr. Siegel teaches internationally about the application of mindfulness practices in psychotherapy and other fields, and maintains a private practice in Lincoln, Massachusetts. His books include The Mindfulness Solution, for general readers, as well as several acclaimed works for professionals.
