John Birtchnell Boeken

Focusing on the dynamics of human relationships, the author explores how closeness and distance, as well as power dynamics, influence interpersonal connections. He emphasizes the importance of psychotherapists in identifying and addressing individuals' relating incompetencies along these axes. By doing so, therapists can help clients improve their relational skills and navigate the challenges posed by the relating incompetencies of others. This approach is deemed applicable across various therapeutic practices, highlighting a comprehensive framework for understanding human interaction.

Exploring the interplay between conscious choices and unconscious impulses, the narrative delves into the complexities of human behavior. It examines how much of our actions stem from deliberate thought versus automatic responses, inviting readers to reflect on their own decision-making processes. Through insightful analysis, the book challenges perceptions of free will and self-awareness, ultimately revealing the dual nature of identity and motivation.

This book brings together recent research developments in relating theory. It is divided into four parts, which introduce the reader to relating theory, how it has developed and how it can be applied to clinical and forensic psychology. Topics include how couples relate to one another, how young people relate to their parents, how assessments of relating can be used in therapy, how specific negative relating styles relate to offending behaviour, risk taking and alcohol use, psychopathic and sadistic tendencies, and how the interpersonal relating of offenders can change during treatment in prison. The book covers international research involving both quantitative and qualitative methods, and will be of interest to clinicians, academics and both undergraduate and postgraduate students in the fields of psychology, clinical psychology, forensic/criminal psychology, psychiatry, psychotherapy, counselling, art-therapy, and mental health.