It Takes Two to Know One by Anthony Bass

It Takes Two to Know One by Anthony Bass

This book explores the nature of relational psychoanalysis in clinical practice, drawing on the author’s over four decades of clinical experience as a firstgeneration relational psychoanalyst and many of his foundational papers written over the past 25 years.

Bass’s book demonstrates the depth, scope, and healing power of mutual transformation for patient and analyst within an elastic and flexible analytic frame. Patient and analyst demonstrably co-create the psychotherapeutic space, situation, structure, and experience, and together, promote mutual growth and healing. Drawing on the revolutionary work of Sándor Ferenczi, this book expands our understanding of therapy as “dialogue of unconsciousness,” revealing the ways in which the bi-directional currents of unconscious communication may be creatively utilized as an essential therapeutic tool. It sheds light on the conditions and approaches best suited for actualizing a flexible, contextual, creative use of the therapist’s self in therapy, establishing an ever-deepening foundation for therapeutic work.

With illuminating case studies and accessible language, this book is a must-read for psychotherapists practicing a wide range of dynamically informed approaches and for anyone interested in learning about new developments in therapy as it is practiced today.

'This wonderfully readable collection of some of Tony Bass’s key papers and essays, gathered together in one volume, conveys above all, to me, Bass’s sensitivity, compassion and profound humanityEvery sentence seeks and responds to the other, without a shred of jargon. Bass’s emphasis on mutuality – how it grew in him and developed into a credo for a new perspective on the psychoanalytic relationship – reveals a lifelong search for freedom of thought and communication without sentimentality or reification of theory. His capacity to listen in the clinical setting is remarkable and puts me in mind of another credo - E.M. Forster’s ‘Only connect’. This book will enrich the minds and hearts of beginners and seasoned clinicians alike, or anyone seeking to discover how good psychoanalysis works.'

Paul Williams, Psychoanalyst and Author

'Not all wonderful writers are brilliant teachers. Tony Bass is both. His thinking about the analytic relationship, which is the focus of every single chapter in this marvelous book, is never anything less than fully vital and alive. The writing is deeply felt, fresh, continuously astute, lucid, and gripping. The nature of Bass’s psychoanalytic work comes across in living color. The book is highly readable. You will remember it. It will make a difference in your work. I know, because Bass’s thinking has made a difference in mine. I can think of no more fitting an accolade for this stellar volume than this: Bass is the most important clinical and intellectual heir of Ferenczi writing today.'

Donnel Stern, Ph.D., author of On Coming into Possession of Oneself (2024)

'I have been a great admirer of Tony Bass’ writings for many years, and am delighted to be able to give this book a whole-hearted endorsement. Dr. Bass is a distinguished senior representative of the relational perspective in psychoanalysis. His writing is witty, lucid, and backed by solid scholarship. In our current state of clinical and theoretical fragmentation, Bass spells out clearly the nuanced mutuality that defines the interpersonal/relational perspective and underlies its therapeutic effort. Bass seeks to be a seeker, not a savior and this humility and respect for the patient permeates his work. This magisterial book deserves to be a classic and a guide for future psychoanalytic endeavor. I recommend it highly for everyone in or out of our field.'

Edgar Levenson, MD, author of the Fallacy of Understanding.

'Tony Bass’s stellar collection of essays contained in his book “It Takes Two to Understand One-Unconscious Dialogues in the Therapy Relationship”” is a truly outstanding contribution to our field. The title of his book offers an exquisite portal into Bass’ long established and highly valued thinking and clinical approach where mutuality, unconscious communication and compassion are underscored and demonstrated.

Each of the papers is a clinical masterpiece in itself and each takes us to the very heart of relational psychoanalysis where the relationship is not only central to the clinical endeavour but to therapeutic action itself. Beautifully written, deftly and sensitively crafted, Bass brings each clinical moment vividly to life with a compelling sense of immediacy and engagement and in his own unique way.

While profoundly steeped in theory, his focused embrace of clinical experiences throughout the book, invites the reader to immerse themselves in the complexity of the relational analytic process, where each member of the dyad is continuously shaping and enriching the other in the pursuit of greater meaning and connection.

I cannot recommend this book enough. It is a must read for everyone in the field and promises to be an ongoing and inspiring reference text for beginners and seasoned clinicians alike, both within and beyond the Relational canon.'

Hazel Ipp, PhD, Chief Editor Emeritus, Psychoanalytic Dialogues, Founding Director and Past President: IARPP

Anthony Bass, Ph.D., is an associate professor and clinical consultant at the NYU Postdoctoral Program in Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy. He is a faculty member, and a training and supervising analyst at the Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research. He is the founder and president of the Stephen Mitchell Relational Study Center, a founding director of The International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, as well as a founding editor, former Editor-in-Chief and current editor Emeritus of Psychoanalytic Dialogues: The International Journal of Relational Perspectives. In addition, he serves on the board of directors of the Sándor Ferenczi Center at the New School for Social Research, NYC. He lectures and leads clinical workshops and seminars on the therapeutic relationship, unconscious communication between therapist and patient, and the work of Sándor Ferenczi worldwide.