This book offers a comprehensive overview of the overlap between personal and political aspects of life within the context of psychotherapy. It sketches out a clear and detailed narrative of the complex interrelations between psychotherapy, society, and politics. It articulates a theoretical basis for politically conscious and socially responsible therapy work, as well as the guiding principles in implementing this position. Many psychotherapists find themselves struggling when faced with political issues that come up in treatment, both overtly and covertly. Many of them find value in clarifying political aspects of clients' lives and psychotherapy itself, but are hesitant to touch upon this loaded issue or do not know how to approach it. Nissim Avissars book opens up new possibilities of thinking afresh on psychotherapy, in a way that takes into account real life conditions and the effects of professional work on the social environment.
Part I Theory
1. Politics, not what you had in mind!
2. Psychotherapy's forgotten political narrative
3. The return of the political to the discourse of therapy
4. Psychotherapy: between the personal and the political
5. Theories with an agenda
Part II Practice
6. Politics in professional training
7. Psychology under the influence : Psychologists Versus Injurious Realities
8. Politically sensitive psychotherapy
9. Political Attentiveness: Dealing with Political Materials in Therapy
10. The Alchemy of Psychotherapy: Transforming Discontent into Power
Part IV The Israeli Case
11. Psychotherapy as a mirror of society: The Israeli context