Speaking the Unspoken

What a treasure of a book! The teaching, practice, and profession of psychotherapy are enhanced when we openly and directly address, understand, and continuously process amp ldquo taboo amp rdquo topics that are challenging. The amazing authors provide history and sources of resistance to topics such as group identity, anger, oppression, and sexual feelings regarding clients. Most importantly, and of significant value, the book provides strategies that inspire us to have the courage, confidence, and determination to address the relevant issues in the various contexts in which we work. After reading this outstanding, compelling, must-read contribution, you will agree that creating a culture of speaking up benefits us all! - Melba J. T. Vasquez, PhD, ABPP, Independent Practice; Former President, American Psychological Association Here, at last, is the book we never really knew we needed, but needed so desperately. amp ldquo Silence and silencing have shaped the psychotherapy profession. amp rdquo Truer words were never (un)spoken. - Eric Y. Drogin, JD, PhD, ABPP, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Former Chair, APA Committee on Professional Practice and Standards Speaking the Unspoken is essential reading for anyone who practices, teaches, supervises, and studies psychotherapy. It will help you to recognize and overcome barriers to thinking clearly, speaking openly, and listening respectfully about unspoken topics in our profession. The engaging vignettes, thought-provoking exercises, suggested strategies, and informational pearls of wisdom will strengthen your courage, humility, readiness, and skills to engage in authentic discussions. - Joan Cook, PhD, Professor of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States Kenneth S. Pope, the foremost psychological ethicist of our time (someone who walks the talk), and a diverse and distinguished cadre of coauthors provide a necessary exploration of censored and challenging topics in psychotherapy. They show how correct Sigmund Freud was in positing that suppressed material will amp ldquo come forth later in uglier ways. amp rdquo - Etzel Cardeña, PhD, Thorsen Professor in Psychology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Coeditor, Varieties of Anomalous Experience; founding editor, Journal of Anomalous Experience and Cognition Speaking the Unspoken: Breaking the Silence, Myths and Taboos That Hurt Therapists and Patients is a must-read for EVERY therapist. The authors raise awareness and brilliantly illustrate how to address critical, contemporary, and challenging issues in therapy and supervision, including oppression and racism. I highly recommend this book. - Lillian Comas-Díaz, PhD, Recipient of the American Psychological Association Gold Medal Award for Life Achievement in the Practice of Psychology; Past President, Psychologists in Independent Practice, APA Division 42; Author of Multicultural Care: A Clinician's Guide to Cultural Competence Have you ever avoided talking about something important? Have you ever wished for the courage to speak up? In clear and accessible prose, Speaking the Unspoken explains what underlies the fear and the other obstacles that keep us silent. With remarkable clarity, the book models the courage to discuss complex topics and provides practical advice for how and when to discuss previously unspoken matters. Every psychotherapist should read this intelligent and transformative book. - Jennifer Joy Freyd, PhD, Founder and President, Center for Institutional Courage; Professor Emerit, Psychology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR; Adjunct Professor, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States; Editor, Journal of Trauma & Dissociation Brave and compelling, Pope and colleagues amp rsquo volume paves the way for change and enlightenment of mindsets in clinical training, supervision, and practice. This courageous book outlines what is NOT DISCUSSED in clinical practice, supervision, and consultation the impacts of these omitted topics and guideposts to identify, reflect on, and address them. The authors address emotionally, politically, and personally charged topics that are avoided. It is a amp ldquo must-read amp rdquo for educators, supervisors, and clinicians-in-training. - Carol Falender, PhD, Adjunct Professor, Graduate School of Education and Psychology, Pepperdine University, Los Angeles, CA; Clinical Professor, Psychology Department, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States amp ldquo Several topics have been historically avoided in psychotherapy. amp rdquo The opening line of this book sheds light on a central truth-we tend to avoid certain topics because we have been told it is amp ldquo uncultured amp rdquo to address them in amp ldquo polite society. amp rdquo Although we may wish it to be so, averting our gaze does not remove these issues and problems from reality-not in society and not in our practices. The authors, experts in ethics, multiculturalism, practice, and training, do an excellent job of guiding us through our own necessary edification. They invite us not to collude with the silence and the avoidance created when we hide behind the veil of amp ldquo politeness amp rdquo and the guise of clinical neutrality. The book aims to enhance our skills and tolerance to feeling distressed and uncomfortable when we do amp ldquo Break the Silence. amp rdquo In learning how to do the necessary yet uncomfortable, we benefit our profession and the people we serve. - Cynthia de las Fuentes, PhD, Independent Practice Offers specific strategies aimed at helping therapists build knowledge and courage to engage in more open and honest discussions amp hellip The text offers nine thought-provoking topics, including physical differences and disability, oppression, money and fees, sexual and affectional orientation, and white supremacy culture, examining each closely to initiate the reader amp rsquo s self-reflection practice and inspire discussions in a myriad of learning environments. The authors have successfully shown how normalizing discussions on tough topics can begin to eliminate the forces that hinder dialogues of healing. Highly recommended. - Choice. American Library Association (ALA)