Between Us: A Psychotherapy Podcast Episode 57: What's Mine Is Yours
Aug 20, 2025
In a deep dive, Tony Bass, a renowned psychoanalyst and president of the Stephen Mitchell Relational Studies Center, shares his insights on the art of therapy. He emphasizes the importance of mutual influence in the therapeutic relationship, likening it to an improvisational jazz session where both client and therapist contribute uniquely. The conversation highlights how personal experiences shape clinical practice and the intricate dance of emotions within therapy. Bass explores the courage needed to navigate unconscious dynamics and the paradox of connection in our technology-driven world.
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Episode notes
Pitch Gum And Woods Upbringing
- John introduces the show with a homespun 'pitch gum' memory from growing up in the woods.
- The story sets a tone of curiosity and intimate, sensory detail for the conversation.
Clinical Practice Shapes Theory
- Tony Bass prioritizes clinical experience over abstract metatheory when shaping relational psychoanalysis.
- He emphasizes how small group clinical discussions birthed larger movements like IARP and the Mitchell Center.
Mutuality Mirrors Therapist Preference
- Tony found mutual, open therapeutic relationships more helpful from his own patient experience.
- That personal preference aligned naturally with the evolving relational movement.
