The Artful Science of Psychotherapy
Seasoned psychiatrist shares observations and insights with relevance for clinicians, students, and anyone curious about the human psyche.
Traverse City, Michigan—Having practiced psychiatry and psychoanalysis for over fifty years, David I. Joseph, MD was caught somewhat by surprise throughout the process of conceptualizing and writing Listening for a Lifetime, Mission Point Press, (June 5, 2025), realizing “unexpected benefits and pleasures.”

In addition to his private practice, Joseph’s breadth and depth of experience in academic and professional roles led him to the unique and engaging approach he uses throughout Listening for a Lifetime. “I was motivated by frustration with much psychoanalytic writing which can be dense, wordy, and ambiguous, leading readers, especially students, to reject or even scorn its principles,” Joseph said.
Healing Relationships
Joseph created fifty concise and conversational aphorisms that capture the essential lessons of psychotherapy and psychoanalysis—from the power of listening to understanding the delicate relationship between therapist and patient. Clinicians and therapists, both practicing and in training, medical students, and anyone curious about the human psyche will discover profound insights with entries from sections such as, “Creating a Psychoanalytic Relationship, Developing a Psychoanalytic Process” and “Practical Solutions to Awkward Situations in Clinical Practice.”
The book’s use of aphorisms came naturally. Until he shared them with students or colleagues, Joseph was not aware that he had composed them, but he soon realized that they could be very effective in teaching and writing. Joseph believes that organizing his book around these aphorisms will be especially appreciated by medical students and psychiatric residents but as evidenced by his early endorsements, will also be meaningful for experienced clinicians. Joseph recalls his time before he began his work as a clinician stating, “I wish I had my book as a resource when I was a medical student and psychiatric resident as well as later in my career. My intent is to reinforce the understanding that a good patient-clinician relationship furthers healing in all aspects of patient care and not just mental health care.”
The Power of Unconcious Thinking
A further distinction in Joseph’s work is his decision to cover topics that, while common, can be deeply personal. “While writing this book, I frequently wandered into exploring topics that were very personal to me and my ways of thinking and working. Most of these issues, while so common that every clinician will have encountered most, if not all, of them, are rarely discussed in classes or with colleagues. Often the silence reflects the clinician’s shame, or the topic doesn’t seem substantial enough to warrant inclusion in professional literature.”
Advance praise for Listening for a Lifetime includes this from Harriet L. Wolfe, MD, president, International Psychoanalytical Association, and past president of the American Psychoanalytic Association:
“Drawing on his own lifetime of listening, he captures psychoanalytic therapy as an intimate, respectful effort on the part of both patient and therapist to explore, understand, and relieve the patient’s suffering. His empathic portrayal of the language one uses, misunderstandings and missed understandings, and the power of unconscious thinking to disturb, inform, and delight captures the inspiring potential for growth that impacts both patient and therapist.”
The Author
David I. Joseph, MD has practiced psychiatry and psychoanalysis for over fifty years. In addition to his private practice, he has served as the director of residency training at St. Elizabeths Hospital in Washington, DC. He is an active member of the Washington Baltimore Center for Psychoanalysis where he is a training and supervising analyst and has served as president of the board and chair of the Institute Council. He is a clinical professor at the George Washington University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Dr. Joseph and his wife, Alice, are avid collectors of American folk art. They reside in an eighteenth-century farmhouse in Chevy Chase, Maryland, with their quizzical sheepadoodle, Arlo.
The Book
Listening for a Lifetime
David I. Joseph, MD
248 pages, 6 x 9 inches, B/W
Psychotherapy, Psychology
ISBN: 978-1-961302-93-8, $16.95 (Softcover)
ISBN: 978-1-961302-92-1, $24.95 (Hardcover)
Mission Point Press, June 5, 2025
Copies are available for preorder at Bookshop.org, Amazon, and other online retailers. On its June 5 publication date, it will be available for purchase wherever books are sold. For information or to arrange for signings and events, contact the author at dijoseph3518@gmail.com.
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