Reviews (2)

Wonderful Read and Tool
As a graduate student in a predominately psychodynamic program, I have been assigned a myriad of psychodynamic/analytic literature, and this book, by far, is the mostincisive, jargon free, and useful tool I have found for understanding dynamic theory-all its important nuances- and perhaps, even more importantly, for applying it to patients. Gabbard also elucidates many ancillary topics, such as fee setting and phone calls, which the reader quickly learns are not so ancillary, but an integral part of the therapeutic technique and process. It is also highly refreshing and empowering to know that this masterful and erudite work on PSYCHOTHERAPY, and its implied necessity, was done by a biologically trained PSYCHIATRIST. Wow, sheer joy!

Great Book for the Layman Student!
I am student in a masters of social work program and needed to find a resource for an educational presentation explaining what psychodynamic therapy is and what it isn't.This book did an excellent job of explaining contemporary psychodynamic theory and how it is applied.I would recommend this book to anyone who needs to develop a clearer understanding of what psychodynamic theory is. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Medical    2. Psychiatry - General    3. Psychoanalytic Therapy    4. Psychodynamic psychotherapy    5. Psychology    6. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    7. Psychotherapist and patient    8. Psychotherapy - General    9. methods    10. Psychotherapy   

Reviews (2)

Pain and Hypnosis
Although there are many books on hypnosis and to a certain degree a rather long list of works on scripts for hypnotherapy, there are few good works on pain scripts. I was therefore surprised to discover Dr. Marlene E. Hunter, M.D. book entitled "Creative Scripts for Hypnotherapy."
A rare jewel of a book for clinicians and other therapists
Using a wonderful array of metaphors the author outlines various strategies and mechanisms that physicians and other therapists might use to assist patients towards resolving or coping with a wide range of both physical and psychological suffering. The concept that all symptoms are psychosomatic was certainly an insight for me that has contributed enourmously to improving my own communication with patients both in and out of hypnosis. This highly practical guide effectively allows the therapist to adapt the scripts to an enourmous variety of situations.I have found the section on phobias and fears particularly helpful in treating the common needle phobia encountered in my own hospital practice. Read more

Subjects:  1. Human Sexuality    2. Hypnotism    3. Psychiatry - General    4. Psychology    5. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    6. Therapeutic use    7. Hypnosis    8. Hypnotherapy (suggestion therapy)    9. Psychology & Psychiatry / Psychotherapy    10. Psychotherapy   

Reviews (1)

Highly recommended for the beginning therapist.
Each chapter of this book introduces an approach to case conceptualization, including a thorough review of historical influences, applicable research, and case examples. I highly recommend this book for any beginning clinician or graduate student in the mental health fields. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Case formulation    2. Differential therapeutics    3. Psychiatry    4. Psychology    5. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    6. Psychotherapy    7. Psychotherapy - General    8. Reference    9. Research & Methodology    10. methods    11. Psychological methodology    12. Psychology & Psychiatry / Psychotherapy    13. Psychology-Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    14. Psychology-Reference   

Subjects:  1. Cognitive therapy    2. Delusions    3. Hallucinations and illusions    4. Health/Fitness    5. Mental Illness    6. Paranoia    7. Psychology    8. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    9. therapy    10. Psychiatry    11. Psychology & Psychiatry / Mental Illness    12. Psychotherapy   

Reviews (12)

Not quite perfect
This was listed as the top choice for obsessive-compulsive disorder by the Carlat Report for December 2005 in a review of self-help books in psychiatry (www.thecarlatreport.com).
Just what the doctor ordered
This book comes highly recommended by my doctor and is living up to its reputation!

Great book - highly recommended
This is an excellent book. I think it is the best self-help book on OCD. Luckily my CB therapist does these exact techniques with me in therapy so it's like this book is a hard-copy of the work I am doing. It's a great reference manual. Take this book seriously - it will help you if you follow the practices with as much patience and effort as you can. The thing that clicked for me after ready only the first few chapters of this book, is that my thoughts are obsessions! They are exagerrated, irrational, not based on reality! I never before could grasp that concept because I actually believed that my obsessions and suspicions might be real (that I was just missing something) and that somehow my mental compulsions would help me to relieve the tension and anxiety that my obsessive thoughts were causing. It's amazing... it all literally clicked. These thoughts are obsessions. They are NOT REAL!! Wow. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Compulsive behavior    2. General    3. Mood Disorders    4. Psychology    5. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    6. Psychology & Psychiatry / Compulsive Behavior   

Reviews (5)

Dynamics of Conflict Resolution: A Practitioner's Guide
I know others have found this a good resource but I found it very dry and tedious to read.I returned the book.

The Essentials of Conflict and its Resolution
To understand conflict, attention needs to be paid to the differences in ways individuals approach it. The way people handle conflict is definition of who they are and how they relate to others.People approach to conflict derives not only from their upbringing and how they have been taught to deal with conflict, but their culture plays a key role.Conflict often is generated when people feel disempowered.Power is the currency for conflict whether its exercise is intentional or not; when people are in conflict their power is in play. The choice in conflict is not whether to use power but how to use it. When people try to meet their needs in face of resistance, they are exercising power.The success of conflict depends on part on how much power they are able to muster and how wise they are in using it.The use of power can escalate or deescalate a conflict.It can create resistance or overcome it.People can employ their power to create momentum for constructive dialogue and collaborative negotiations; or they can use it to beat others down and to prevent co-operation. Everyone has a choice of how to use power or how to respond to power; the one choice participants don't have is not having any power at all. Practical and well written
This book provides a practical, easy-to-follow explanation of conflict resolution. The author uses his practice experience and research knowledge to provide practitioners with a solid understanding of the dynamics of conflict resolution. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Conflict (Psychology)    2. Conflict management    3. Entrepreneurship    4. General    5. Interpersonal Relations    6. Interpersonal conflict    7. Negotiation    8. Problem solving    9. Psychology    10. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    11. Social Psychology    12. Conflict resolution    13. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Subjects:  1. Family    2. Family counseling    3. Family social work    4. Psychological aspects    5. Psychology    6. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    7. Psychotherapy - Counseling    8. Psychotherapy - Couples & Family    9. Social Work    10. United States    11. Counselling    12. Psychology & Psychiatry / Counseling   

Reviews (2)

Amazing
Stories are very good specially if you have people & want to tell them something.
An excellent collection of Ericksonian metaphors
Dr. Milton H. Erickson often worked his "magic" by telling metaphorical stories to his patients.The construction of such effective metaphors has sometimes been difficult for Ericksonian hypnotherapists.Burns addresses this issue by affording the reader a collection of 101 therapeutic metaphors.For each story, the problems addressed, resources developed, and outcomes offered are listed.Read more

Subjects:  1. Counseling    2. Counseling (Psychology)    3. Narrative therapy    4. Psychology    5. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    6. Psychotherapy    7. Psychotherapy - Counseling    8. Psychotherapy - General    9. Counselling    10. Psychology & Psychiatry / Psychotherapy   

Reviews (23)

The "master" speaks to grasshopper...

The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy
This is an excellent book for group counseling practice. It provides lots of cases with comments and reflections.

the Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy
A comprehensive text that is easy to read and comprehend.Very helpful for anyone planning to lead a group in therapy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Group psychotherapy    2. Psychology    3. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    4. Psychotherapy - Group    5. Social Psychology    6. Sociology    7. Psychiatry    8. Psychotherapy   

Reviews (3)

How stingy...
Steven Hayes wrote here:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy:An Experiential Approach to Behaviour Change
A really good overview and also in depth approach to a new therapy that could well be the next CBT - easy to read and with some very clear examples and analogies. I recommend it to anyone that has found that CBT has some gaps in regards to recurrance and behaviour change.

Challenging Current Thinking in Clinical Psychology
Hayes and colleagues have made an excellent contribution with their book Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) by drawing together many years of theoretical work and practice into a very readable work. The first half ofthe book outlines the theoretical foundations of ACT. Many recent books inclinical psychology claim to offer a new psychotherapeutic technique or anew approach within a particular conceptual framework. In contrast, Hayesand colleagues present a new and comprehensive conceptual foundation forpsychotherapy. They seek to challenge some of the cherished notions inmental health (e.g., that mental disorders always arise from abnormality)and critique some of the central ideas in many popular therapies (e.g., theidea in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy that mental health will be improved bychanging the content of one's thoughts). Their argument identifies languageand our use of it as both one of the key reasons for humanity's success andour inability to rid ourselves of many mental health issues. For areflective practitioner or academic, the arguments presented will give thereader much food for thought.Read more

Subjects:  1. Behavior Therapy    2. Psychology    3. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    4. Psychotherapy - General    5. Psychology & Psychiatry / Psychotherapy    6. Psychotherapy   

Reviews (4)

A Social Constructionist Mediation Book
John Winslade and Gerald Monk are two social constructionists out of New Zealand who, according to their own jacket flap, are "leading figures" in the narrative therapy movement.Their's is an interesting book with an interesting thesis: instead of seeing mediation as a problem-solving process where competing interests are resolved, they see it as a process where competing "stories" (or narratives) of the conflict are "deconstructed" and an alternate story is reconstructed.That alternate story is fashioned in large part outof a recognition of the culturally-influenced power relationships between the dispuiting parties, and with awareness of the cultural biases of the mediator as well.This theory specifically acknowledges one of the real weaknesses with conventional mediation, which is that mediators often struggle to maintain the detached neutrality that is expected of them.The narrative approach also seeks to recalibtate the relationship between the disputants instead of simply solving a particular problem.
An Interesting Approach
This book is a good read for anyone interested in the theory of mediation and why it works. I find the premise of this book to be somewhat over-complicated. Narrative mediation starts from the idea that everyone has their own "story", which positions people in different places which inevitably produce different agendas and therefore conflicts. The authors differentiate this from the traditional view that what gets people into conflicts is that they want something which is an expression of the inner needs or interest. As an experienced mediator, I find the authors' proposed methods of allowing the parties to tell their own storiesnot necessarily in conflict with the traditional view, as it seems to be an outgrowth of the need to allow the parties to "vent" their point of view,while at the same time encouraging them to listen to each other. However, while I agree that the parties "stories" do place them in different places, I do not agree that the fact that they have different stories necessarily leads to conflict. One cannot discount the existence ofan underlying reason for the conflict, apart from the parties' "stories."This is where I part company with the authors.Even so, the book is very helpful for an understanding of the mediation process. For a good "nuts and bolts" book,I also recommend Basic Skills for the New Mediator by Allan H. Goodman, even if you are an experienced mediator.

Settlement Through Alternative Stories
In one of the finest general mediation books I have ever read, Winslade and Monk present a new perspective on the mediation of disputes.In a departure from the more structured models of mediation presented in the past, these authors introduce a revolutionary approach to the manner in which mediation is approached.Read more

Subjects:  1. Conflict management    2. Discourse analysis, Narrative    3. Mediation    4. Psychology    5. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    6. Social Conflict    7. Social Interaction    8. Social Science    9. Sociology    10. Sociology - General    11. Storytelling    12. Violence in Society    13. Psychology & Psychiatry / General    14. Psychotherapy   

Reviews (18)

An excellent resource!
This is a great book for parents who are struggling with how to help a child with OCD.I give it 4 stars instead of 5 only becausethe author is not critical of her own field's obsession with disorders (DO - "Disorder Obsession": a disorder suffered by many psychologists and all psychiatrists in which the practitioner is obsessed with finding, labeling, and medicating behaviors that depart from their notion of "normal."This disorder can be successfully treated with heavy doses of not taking themselves so darn seriously.)

A must for parents of a child with OCD
This book is excellent. I have a 12 year old daughter that was just diagnosed with OCD and I, too, have OCD. This book makes OCD so understandable even to the family members that don't have it. It has really helped me help my daughter. I strongly recommend it.

Very good read for parents who have kids with OCD
Author understands how parents can get caught up in the web of OCD she writes with understanding not blaming. Tells how cognitive behavior therapy works in terms that are easy to understand. This is a great book if you are trying to learn about your childs OCD or your own I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children with Special Needs    2. Family & Relationships    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Family/Marriage    5. Parenting - General    6. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    7. Child care & upbringing    8. Family & Relationships / Parenting    9. Popular medicine   

Reviews (2)

Great overview
Excellent overview of IPT from "the source", that is experts involved in its development and research. I decided to buy this book because I needed an introduction to IPT. It discusses in a clear manner the theoretical underpinnings of IPT, and the strategies and techniques used in IPT; the chapters are peppered with case histories and useful questions to ask and interventions to make with patients from an IPT perspective. I give it 4 stars rather than 5 because I think it may try to be all things to all people, blending too much of the elementary and esoteric.I think this book is meant for clinicians, and I don't think a lay person would be much drawn to it; as such I think some of the introductory information on depression (criteria for diagnosis etc.) is too elementary for your typical, even neophyte, clinician. The chapter on research data supporting IPT is rather esoteric; I liked this chapter, but this esoterica doesn't fit with the elementary aspect I just mentioned. This is a minor critique in what is otherwise a very good book for an introduction to IPT. I recommend it.

Review-Comprehensive Guide to Interpersonal Psychotherapy
Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) is an important intervention in mood and other related disorders. This volume represents the gold standard reference for any clinician seeking to learn or consolidate their practice of IPT. Updating the original 1984 text, this comprehensive reference clearly describes the theoretical basis of IPT as well as providing a good introduction to the actual practice of IPT in day to day clinical life. The real strength of the volume however, is its scholarly and comprhensive review of previous and ongoing research in IPT and its newer applications in other disorders.This volume is a wonderful inclusion on any library bookshelf as well as being an invaluable tool for the clinician seeking a comprehensive introduction to Interpersonal Psychotherapy ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Psychology    2. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    3. Psychotherapy    4. Psychotherapy - General    5. Reference   

Reviews (2)

My son conquered his OCD with help from this book
After searching the internet and reading many books for information in an effort to understand the condition my son suddenly developed, many references were made to this treatment manual.Although I am only a parent, and this book is meant for therapists, I decided to purchase it anyway.Along with my son's therapist and a low dose of medication, we used the methods and suggestions in this book to overcome his OCD.The real therapy happens at home with strong family involvement and support, so parents need to fully understand what they need to do.This book clearly guides you through the exposure and response prevention therapy steps, which is the only therapy that will help someone overcome OCD.Although I found some parts to be technical, rereading them helped me understand them better.I recommend this book for motivated parents, children & adolescents who want to overcome their OCD.The therapy is hard work, but after several weeks, you will be much better!

A must have treatment manual
John March is author of one of the best treatment manuals I have ever laid my eyes on. He and Mulle have laid out in very clear fashion what steps to follow in treating OCD in a child or adolescent. They add tips on what to do when problems arise and include gems of clinical knowledge that make this a must have resource for anyone treating OCD. While the book is about treating children and adolescents I have found it helped me think more clearly about doing the same type of treatment with adults. This book is directed toward the therapists who may not have a backround in cognitive behavioral treatment and explains some concepts that may seem strange to those from other backrounds. It is not written for parents but I have recomended it to them since there is little else around that explains things any where near as clearly. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cognitive Psychology    2. Cognitive therapy for children    3. Cognitive therapy for teenager    4. Developmental - Adolescent    5. Developmental Psychology    6. Obsessive-compulsive disorder    7. Obsessive-compulsive disorder in adolescence    8. Obsessive-compulsive disorder in children    9. Psychology    10. Psychoneuroses    11. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    12. Psychotherapy - Child & Adolescent    13. Treatment    14. Clinical psychology    15. Paediatric medicine    16. Psychology & Psychiatry / Child Psychology   

Reviews (19)

Compassionate, accurate, practical, and liberating insight into a painful and un(der)recognized condition.
The Imp of the Mind: Exploring the Silent Epidemic of Obsessive Bad Thoughts, breaks tremendous ground with those of us who have suffered at one time another with what Dr. Lee Baer refers to as 'Obsessive Bad Thoughts'.Some have objected to the use of the term 'bad thoughts' as judgemental of OCD sufferers, or their intelligence.I don't find this to be true, though, as Baer uses the term to refer to images and feelings that the perceiver him/herself is disturbed by (as well as the feeling of -being- disturbed), so in essence it's no more judgemental to call them bad thoughts than say someone has 'bad feelings' when they sprain an ankle.
From one mind to another
As a person who suffers from OCD I can honestly say this book was extremely informative.To go from thinking your the only one with bad thoughts to realizing that you are clearly not alone means a great deal.I receommend this book to anyone who has to deal with these thoughts or wants to understand someone with them.The author describes the thoughts in such a way that I could never really explain to anyone what was going on inside my head.
Look elsewhere for help
This book is not a self-help book, but purports to explain the disorder and give some info about treatments. There are better books out there that give info on OCD and give a self-help program, info on medications, and info on therapy. (Try books by Fred Penzel or Jonathan Grayson.)I was particularly bothered by 2 things: 1. The author refers to obsessions as "bad thoughts" throughout the book. OCD is a medical condition and obsessions are symptoms - the "bad thoughts" term has connotations that in effect are a judgement on the sufferer (as if OCD people need more guilt. 2. The author presents the disease as confined to obsessions that are violent or disturbing (hence the "bad thoughts" label), ignoring or glossing over those relating to excessive responsiblity, etc. So a complete picture is not given. There are better resources out there. Pass this one up. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Psychology    3. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    4. Psychology & Psychiatry / Compulsive Behavior   

Reviews (1)

Not All Ethics Texts are Created Equal
I thought I read every ethics text throughout my close to ten years in higher education.Obviously, this one was left out.This is an excellent text, easily readable, engaging, practical, and down to earth.I look forward to picking it up and continuing on each day.This text should be used in every ethics class and by every professional in the field of human service.Incredible job by the authors.Definitely recommended to every practicing clinician. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Clinical Psychology    2. Counseling    3. Counselors    4. General    5. Moral and ethical aspects    6. Professional ethics    7. Psychiatric Ethics    8. Psychiatry - General    9. Psychology    10. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    11. Psychotherapists    12. Psychotherapy - Counseling    13. Psychotherapy - General    14. Counselling    15. Medical ethics    16. Psychology & Psychiatry / Psychotherapy    17. Psychotherapy   

Reviews (8)

There is help out there!
I've struggled my whole life with a number of issues: perfectionism, low self-esteem, self-destructive behaviour.
Excellent for understanding and changing perfectionism
As a psychologist working in a college counseling center, I see many students who beat themselves up with perfectionistic-type thoughts such as "If I don't get an A in this class, I'm a failure" or "I can't let my friends know I'm upset because they'll think there's something wrong with me."These destructive thoughts can have a devastating impact by leading to anxiety, depression, and a host of other difficulties, and this is the #1 book I recommend to students who are struggling with these issues. Very helpful book
After reading the main part of the book, I am so grateful for having bought this book. I have been extremely depressed because of my excessive high standards toward myself. This book acts as a mirror to my problems and I can see my perfectionistic tendencies in many aspects. I also try to work through the techniques suggested by the authors to overcome my perfectionistic thoughts and behavior. I cannot say that I have eliminated all such problems but I can see I am on the right track! I am now more aware of my fear and anxiety since most of them orginated from my perfectionism. Read more

Subjects:  1. Cognitive therapy    2. Perfectionism (Personality trait)    3. Personal Growth - General    4. Psychology    5. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    6. Self-Help    7. Stress Management    8. Self-Help & Practical Interests    9. The self, ego, identity, personality   

Reviews (1)

Handbook of Attachment Interventions
An excellent reference for workers who support families in repairing damaged children. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Attachment behavior    2. Attachment behavior in childre    3. Attachment behavior in children    4. Developmental - Child    5. Developmental - General    6. Family Psychology    7. Handbooks, manuals, etc    8. Interpersonal Relations    9. Personality    10. Psychology    11. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    12. Psychotherapy - Counseling    13. Psychotherapy - Couples & Family    14. Child & developmental psychology    15. Psychology & Psychiatry / Developmental Psychology    16. Psychotherapy   

Reviews (6)

Excellent or Flawed? - Depends on your perspective
It's a bit unusual for me to agree with customer reviews that both praise and criticize a book, but in this case I do. On the one hand, Rollnick et al, have done an amazing job of applying motivational interviewing and stages of change theory to the short interchanges common with patients in a medical setting. For those readers already well-versed in stages of change, this is an excellent and thought-provoking approach. I believe many "counselors" of various stripes would benefit from the applications advocated in this book.
not that great, not much "guide"ance
This book gave helpful perspectives regarding doctor-patient communication, but was not very enlightening. The problem might be that it was written from the perspective that the doctor is always correct, and the patient is always some poor sap who needs to be enlightened and trained as you would a child. I don't see this book awakening the human within some budding physician and transforming the physician into some effective communicator. The worst part was how many pages it took to convey helpful information.
Great book, indeed
A simple, easy, and yet deep, thought-provoking book. ONLY ONE of this kind.Read more

Subjects:  1. Medical    2. Medical / Nursing    3. Nursing - Home & Community Care    4. Nursing - Nurse & Patient    5. Nursing - Reference    6. Psychology    7. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    8. General practice    9. Health psychology    10. Medical / Nursing / Reference    11. Nursing    12. Nurse practitioners    13. Reference   

Subjects:  1. Brief Therapy    2. Brief psychotherapy    3. Congresses    4. Psychology    5. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    6. Psychotherapy - General    7. Psychotherapy, Brief    8. Psychology & Psychiatry / Psychotherapy    9. Psychotherapy