Not a Tame Lion: Writings on therapy in its social and political context

How amazing it is for an ‘outsider’, a maverick even, to emerge from the margins as the agenda-setter for counselling and psychotherapy. For this is what Nick Totton has done in the past few years! His work on making body therapy relational, on politics and (and in) therapy, on ecopsychology, and on confronting our growth-restricting fears about ‘boundaries’ is, by now, required reading for all practitioners. I think I learn more from him than from anyone. Those in training or formation should get hold of this provocative, radical and erudite collection. It is where today’s excellence in practice lies. Andrew Samuels, Professor of Analytical Psychology, University of Essex

An inspiring collection of articles from one of the most radical therapy theorists in the UK. They range from imaginative pieces about possible futures (Looking back from 2023) to deep questioning of concepts like 'boundaries' and 'experts'. There is much food for thought here for practitioners, students and indeed everyone interested in inner and outer change. Jocelyn Chaplin, author of 'Deep Equality; Living in the Flow of Natural Rhythms' and 'Feminist Counselling in Action'

In this volume Totton has brought together 24 of his own papers, including two new papers on professionalisation and regulation, the nature of therapy, therapy in the world, and ecopsychology and embodiment, in a well-organised collection. The central thesis of the book, encapsulated in an eponymous article, is that therapy should not be “safe” and free of risk; in other words, it is not a tame lion. The main themes and strength’s of Totton’s work are all here: his detailed knowledge of the history of psychotherapy; his advocacy of the radical origins of therapy, and that the nature of therapy is political and radical; his emphasis on politics as power; his critical analysis of the power of the “psy’ professions and professionalisation; and his keen interest in embodiment and ecology. Readers familiar with Totton’s work will be grateful that he has collated and edited his key papers in one volume; readers unfamiliar with his work will find this a rich reader, which includes some personal history and backround to Totton’s interest in the interplay between psychotherapy and politics. This is a great collection of writings on psychotherapy and politics from a leading exponent in this field who himself is no tame lion, and is essential reading for anyone interested in therapy in its social and political contexts. Keith Tudor, Associate Professor at Auckland Institute of Technology, Aotearoa New Zealand, Editor of Psychotherapy and Politics International