Using Early Memories in Psychotherapy

Certain intrinsic features of early memories make them analogous to life problems and to the therapy relationship: childhood tends to imply situations that are confusing, disempowered, or impulsive, and relationships that are parental, intimate, or defining. When early memories are examined, the results can be personally meaningful to the individual and relevant to the presenting problem and to the therapy. This book recommends strategies for using early memories to enhance the working alliance, to make psychological sense of presenting problems, and to resolve treatment impasses.

Michael Karson teaches at the Graduate School of Professional Psychology at the University of Denver. Prior to that he practiced psychotherapy and consulted in the child welfare system for 25 years in Massachusetts. He is the author of Patterns of Child Abuse: How Dysfunctional Transactions Are Replicated in Individuals, Families and the Child Welfare System and he is senior author of 16PF Interpretation in Clinical Practice: A Guide to the Fifth Edition as well as an attorney.