A Philosophical Framework for Psychotherapy Integration

In this thought-provoking work, Yael Peri Herzovich and Aner Govrin challenge the long-standing rivalry between psychoanalysis and other psychotherapeutic approaches, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy. They address a fundamental question: How can we facilitate genuine dialogue between these dominant psychotherapy schools?

Drawing on philosophical concepts such as Derrida’s notion of hospitality, Hegel’s dialectics, and Gadamer’s dialogical approach, the authors provide a new philosophical framework for encountering the “other” in psychotherapy integration. This book examines the barriers to integration and explores how hospitality, dialectics, and dialogue processes can facilitate openness between schools while preserving their unique identities. Through engaging historical analysis and practical demonstrations, the authors show how opposing approaches can enrich each other, leading to more effective treatment possibilities. Offering a fresh perspective on the potential for integration and mutual influence between these two major psychotherapy schools, while honouring the unique contributions of each school, this book is essential reading for psychotherapists, psychoanalysts, psychologists, and students of mental health.