The Couch and the Circle

A Story of Group Psychotherapy

The subject of THE COUCH AND THE CIRCLE is the Third Psychiatric Revolution, or Group Therapy. Once looked down upon by orthodox psychiatrists, group therapy has recently become the founding work for encounter groups, marathon sessions and sensitivity training. In this book. Dr. Hyman Spotnitz deftly sketches and elucidates all of its varied methods—analytic therapy, psycho-drama, family counselling, non-directive counselling and activity therapy. He writes in intimate detail about one of his groups—its dramas, taboos and troubles, its sudden revelations and meaningful silences, its moments of love and raging hate, and its triumphs when individuals find themselves ready to leave.

“… an authority on group psychotherapy, writes simply and clearly. The result is a frank, easily understandable account…”—NEW YORK TIMES

“Highly readable and readily understandable. Recommended…”—LIBRARY JOURNAL

“…an excellent demonstration of the therapeutic technique…”—KIRKUS REVIEW