Episode #16 - Dr. Steven Kuchuck - The Relational Revolution

Hey everyone! Welcome back to Why in the World. If you know anything about me, you know that I tend to be a bit of a nerd when it comes to reading and learning about psychoanalysis. I’m particularly drawn to what is known as Relational Psychoanalysis, which emerged in the 1980’s and has continued to evolve ever since. So when Dr. Steven Kuchuck agreed to be a guest on my podcast, my inner nerd started break dancing!

I’m excited about this episode! It was a true pleasure talking with Dr. Kuchuck about his new book The Relational Revolution in Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy. Dr. Kuchuck is a leading teacher and scholar of relational thinking and President of the International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy. He is on the faculty of the New York University Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis as well as various other institutes.

In addition to all of this, he is also just a joy to talk to.

In his new book he writes: “In Relational and other contemporary, two-person perspectives, the analyst’s expertise is measured by the extent to which she can facilitate exploration of the intersubjective dynamics of a treatment in order to help the patient gain better understanding of older, formative relationships, internalizations, repetitions, and barriers to desired change. In a successful treatment, ‘co-created old truths are replaced with co-created new truths’.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Dr. Steven Kuchuck…

Find Dr. Kuchuck online:

Twitter: @stevenkuchuck

Facebook Author Page: Dr. Steven Kuchuck

Website: www.stevenkuchuck.com

His New Book: The Relational Revolution in Psychoanalysis & Psychotherapy

Links:

Relationally Focused Psychodynamic Therapy (RFPT) - Post-grad continuing education program for psychotherapists that I teach in and mentioned at the end of this episode. If you’re a therapist and want to learn more, I’d love to chat with you! Send me an email at: bryan@mindfulcounselinggr.com.

Relationally Focused Psychodynamic Therapy (RFPT) is an evidence-based treatment approach with strong roots in depth psychology (particularly contemporary Relational Psychoanalysis), dialogical philosophy, and neuroscience. As of December 2018, the Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy has set forth policy recommendations that evidence-based therapy relationships and responsiveness be taught as frequently as other evidence-based treatments. (Reference: Norcross, J. C., & Lambert, M. J. (2019). Psychotherapy Relationships that work III. Psychotherapy, 55,4, p. 303-315). The RFPT certificate program is a direct response to these policy recommendations.

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Bryan Nixon is a psychotherapist and the founder and clinical director of Mindful Counseling GR in Grand Rapids, MI. He is also a teacher and facilitator in Relationally Focused Psychodynamic Therapy, a post-grad continuing education program for therapists.