Fame, Fortune, and Ambition

This book shines like a beacon of guidance and is a landmark in its field. It presents a remarkably integrated and sophisticated theoretical framework, drawing upon the best in current psychoanalytic theory to explore the development and the pitfalls of love relationships. Extended clinical vignettes, alternatively witty and moving, convincingly illustrate the clinical applications of the author's theoretical concepts....This book is must reading, not only for all therapists who engage in couple therapy, but also for any mental health professional dealing with relationships. Sharpe's clear and engaging writing style makes the book also suitable for any nonprofessional who is interested in understanding the vicissitudes of loving, and could be useful to those who are contemplating couple therapy. -- Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association (JAPA) <br>.,. a rare find that offers a marvelous feast for the reader: a groundbreaking theory and clinical approach enriched by vivid clinical vignettes spiced with humor and candor. The main course is further enhanced by the inclusion of a cultural perspective on the development of love relationships, a expressed in popular movies, songs, stories, and television. In crystal clear prose devoid of jargon, the author seamlessly interweaves all of these elements to read like a fascinating novel....The author is at her very best in writing about her treatment of difficult cases. There are many excerpts from sessions presented in dialogue form that also include her own thoughts and feelings as they occur in sessions. Of particular help is her identification of the kinds of collusive role relationships commonly associated with eachpattern....I cannot think of a professional book I could recommend more highly. Given that love-life concerns are usually central to most people coming for therapy, I consider this book to be essential reading not only for clinicians working directly with couples, but also for those who primarily do individual therapy or psychoanalysis. Patients and couples in therapy can also be given this book or selected chapters to augment the therapy process. Several of my patients and other lay readers I know have found this book to be a most interesting, helpful guide to understanding the many mysteries of their own unique love relationships. -- Psychologist-Psychoanalyst <br> Have you ever wondered how to combine the precepts of developmental psychology and marital therapy? Sheila A. Sharpe, PhD had written a very fine book integrating these two concepts....an excellent resource for the practicing clinician. Each relating pattern is thoroughly described before being presented in case study format. The case studies interweave narrative descriptions and session transcriptions, and are developed throughout the text. This presentation captures the complexity of actual couples therapy and gives the reader the opportunity to get to know the case study couples more completely in both their difficulties and their relational repair work....As a clinician, I found The Ways We Love stimulating and helpful as I considered the relating patterns of my couple clients. I will recommend this book to my clinic colleagues. -- Journal of Couple and Relationship Therapy <br> This book provides us with the first comprehensive theory of the normal development of love relationships and an associated treatmentapproach....this book is wonderfully written and reads like a collection of entertaining stories. The author's discussion of development is enriched by her inclusion of cultural attitudes and myths, and she illustrates many of her points by bringing in current movies, literature, songs, and other expressions of popular culture. -- The Psychoanalytic Quarterly <br> Sharpe's highly readable treatise presents her theories on key patterns of connection and separateness in couples, how they develop through the course of relationships, and how problems can emerge along the way that move couples into treatment. -- Journal of Psychology and Christianity <br> It is a pleasure to review this book, which has been carefully researched and revised before coming to its final form. Dr. Sharpe is an experienced, sensitive, and well-trained clinician....Most skillfully presented are the brief samples of diaglogue from therapy sessions. These are well-chosen to give a sense of the therapeutic moment for both patient and therapist. -- Section VIII Newsletter of APA's Division 39 <br> The strength of this book is the 'vivid clinical illustrations' which allow the reader to view what an experienced therapist thinks, feels, and says to couples....will appeal to experienced marital therapists who wish to consider new concepts or just enjoy descriptions of the trials and tribulations of marital therapy. -- Canadian Journal of Psychiatry <br>.,. a sophisticated yet eminently readable piece of work. It is an easy, enjoyable, refreshing read, devoid of jargon and beautifully laced with instructive clinical vignettes. It can be read profitably by any practitioner who works with families or couples. -- Psychiatric Services <br> [The author's] clear, engaging prose, seamlessly intertwines current theory, case examples, and the practical application of marital therapy. This is that rarity, a book that is instructive, compelling, and just plain fun to read. -- Readings <br>.,. psychotherapist and educator Sheila Sharpe delineates a developmental theory of love relationships that provides an effective and comprehensive approach to counseling couples....Sharpe supplies vital insights and useful tools for therapeutic work, as well as offering the clinician a multifaceted perspective on how couple relationships grow and what happens when their growth becomes flawed. The Ways We Love is an impressive contribution to professional and academic family therapy reading lists and reference collections. -- The Bookwatch <br>