December 3, 2007

     Stephen Howard, MD, is an experiential psychotherapist, family therapist, and psychiatrist with over 40 years of clinical practice. He is dedicated to sharing that experience and wisdom through continuing education for therapists and counselors. He supervises and writes extensively, and presents regular Continuing Education workshops.

     His studies in philosophy, history and religion lend depth and richness to his training endeavors. He maintains that the therapist’s character and capacity for intimacy, and the client’s and the therapist’s relational and spiritual lives, are often crucial determinants in the outcome of therapy.

      He is the author of The Heart and Soul of the Therapist: Rage, Fear, Desire, Loss and Love in the Psychotherapy Relationship. He is an Executive Councilor in the American Academy of Psychotherapists, and for many years an Approved Supervisor for the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. He was voted 2009 Man of the Year by the Metro Atlanta Therapists’ Network.

     In addition to numerous professional publications, he has also written an ongoing music column, book reviews, and social and political commentary.

     He can be contacted at stevehoward18@yahoo.com, or at 404-843-9072; or at 5885 Glenridge Drive, Suite 130, Atlanta, GA 30328.


Excerpts from “The Heart and Soul of the Therapist”

August 13, 2007

From THE HEART AND SOUL OF THE THERAPIST: Rage, Fear, Desire, Loss and Love in the Psychotherapy Relationship.

Caring and The Therapist

“Caring is not easy. Caring makes us unsafe. When we care about someone we risk disappointment, anguish and loss. At the very least, we suffer their pain with them. The word compassion means ‘to feel along with.’

“It is understandable that we hesitate to care. It can wound us deeply. If one is unwilling or unable to suffer these wounds on a daily basis, it may be wise to consider another profession. But when we are able to care, the miracle happens: as the individual experiences acceptance and care, he begins to accept and care for himself. When he learns to value himself and see himself as lovable, he becomes capable of accepting and valuing others.”

Read more from inside the book


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