Review of Handbook of evidence-based psychodynamic psychotherapy: Bridging the gap between science and practice.

Reviews the book, Handbook of evidence-based psychodynamic psychotherapy: Bridging the gap between science and practice by Raymond A. Levy and J. Stuart Ablon (see record 2008-14828-000). This book presents a lucid and timely review of research advances assessing the efficacy and effectiveness of psychodynamic psychotherapies in treating many psychological disorders. From research on broad-based meta-analyses of the effectiveness of psychodynamic psychotherapy to close process analysis of therapist and patient interactions, the invited contributors of this volume translate complex research findings into clinically relevant information for clinicians working in the field. The volume is organized to lead the reader from broad-based reviews of psychodynamic psychotherapy outcome studies to examining in-session processes of patient– therapist interactions that affect the patient’s well-being, improvement, and personality change. In all, it lives up to its title and should be added to any clinician’s library. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Relational theory and the practice of psychotherapy.

Reviews the book, Relational theory and the practice of psychotherapy by P. L. Wachtel (see record 2008-01938-000). Having produced important texts involving the integration of a psychoanalytic perspective with cognitive–behavioral and family systems perspectives, in the current book he turns his attention to seemingly divergent lines of thought within psychoanalysis itself. Psychoanalysis—that variegated, continually branching and diversifying body of theory and practice that started with Sigmund Freud but which has moved so far beyond its origins so as to be almost unrecognizable in some respects—is certainly Wachtel’s primary home. In this book, Wachtel sets out to try and get the house in greater order, both for psychoanalytic inhabitants themselves and for visitors from other theoretical homes. The collection of psychoanalytic perspectives that have gradually taken context into account as being equally important to those factors that are internal are referred to as relational. And it is to these perspectives, which sometimes diverge in significant ways from each other and also from “one-person,” internally focused perspectives, that Wachtel devotes his attention in this book. With Relational theory and the practice of psychotherapy, Paul Wachtel has written an important book, one that will be particularly stimulating and useful to graduate-level-and-above students of psychotherapy. It will also be accessible, thought provoking and clarifying to open-minded psychotherapy practitioners of all stripes, particularly those who do not identify themselves as relational, psychoanalytic, or even psychodynamic. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Self and others: Object relations theory in practice.

Reviews the book, Self and others: Object relations theory in practice by N. Gregory Hamilton (see record 1988-97224-000). Hamilton's book, Self and Others, is useful because it attempts to render much of the complexity of understanding object relational approaches more negotiable. Without question, the book is addressed to the beginner or relative beginner (i.e., the person who wishes to get an introduction to object relations). However, because of its elementary focus, the book can be especially valuable for clinicians, residents, and related mental health trainees who are in the process of learning about object relations theory. Too often it seems introductory books on object relations either assume a knowledge the reader does not possess or become so overly mired in discussing the intricacies of theoretical controversy (e.g., Kohut versus Kernberg) that they leave the beginning student of psychoanalysis in a state of bewilderment. Such is not the case with Self and Others. Hamilton's book, while not being without its limitations, does have some interesting features to offer for beginning instruction in object relations theory. The book attempts to show how object relations theory can be applied in practice. Some interesting and instructive definitions, case examples, and discussion are provided, and they all can prove of value to the interested student of object relations theory. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of A Map of the Mind: Toward a Science of Psychotherapy.

Review of book: A Map of the Mind: Toward a Science of Psychotherapy, by Richard Brockman, Madison, CT: Psychosocial Press, 1998, 297 pp. Reviewed by Jesse A. Goodman. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Re-envisioning psychology: Moral dimensions of theory and practice.

Reviews the book, Re-envisioning psychology: Moral dimensions of theory and practice by Frank C. Richardson, Blaine J. Fowers, and Charles B. Guignon (see record 1999-02563-000). Not often in the discipline of psychology does a work of genuinely praiseworthy philosophical sophistication come along that also manages to avoid not only being overly narrow in its relevance but also avoids being filled with unintelligible and pseudo-intellectual jargon. This excellent text is an example of one such work. The authors divided their text into three major sections beginning with a careful and ranging analysis of the ethical underpinnings of contemporary psychotherapy, followed by a timely and provocative discussion of individualism, social constructionism, and hermeneutics, and complete the volume with a preliminary exploration of the principle features of an interpretive psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of On becoming a better therapist.

Reviews the book, On becoming a better therapist by Barry L. Duncan (see record 2009-22770-000). The aim of this book is provide practical, research-based guidance on how to become a more effective therapist. It was designed for those who are on the front lines of providing psychotherapy services. Two criticisms of the book—or perhaps they are simply concerns— seem pertinent. First, although Duncan’s focus on the client’s experience and feedback is a breath of fresh air in a profession that accords too much power to therapists and too little to clients, the book swings so far in the other direction that it runs the risk of making the same mistake on the client side of the equation. Second, related to the first concern, the book does not adequately address those situations in which the client’s ideas about the treatment might be problematic. Overall this book is an excellent read and a helpful guide to becoming a more effective therapist. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of From research to clinical practice.

Reviews the book, From research to clinical practice, edited by George Stricker and Robert H. Keisner (1985). The intended audience for this edited volume "will probably be practicing psychotherapists...[with] a minimum knowledge of the research area but a ready familiarity with clinical concepts" (p. xv). In addition, the editors suggest to the chapter authors that a successful chapter should provide new meaning for the term "scientist professional" by providing a feedback loop between research and practice. The authors also state that the theoretical focus of this volume is psychodynamic. The book is divided into four areas each preceded by a brief overview. The following areas are covered: Basic issues, social psychology, developmental psychology, and special topics. Overall, I found the chapters to be informative and well written. I think some practitioners may find this book overly academic in tone and may question whether enough of the chapters are sufficiently relevant to busy, practicing clinicians. This is not a book on spotting golden research nuggets between the covers of the volume. Instead, this book requires careful mining of considerable content in order to find sparkling applications. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Breaking free of managed care: A step-by-step guide to regaining control of your practice.

Reviews the book, Breaking free of managed care: A step-by-step guide to regaining control of your practice by Dana C. Ackley (see record 1997-97500-000). This book provides a practitioner's blueprint for moving from dependent (on managed care) to independent practice. It is organized around three major themes: 1) dealing with managed care; 2) the business of managed care-free therapy; and 3) the array of psychotherapists' services. The reviewer points out that the author tends to overlook some problem areas in psychotherapy. In addition, he takes some of his own skills as a doctoral-level clinical psychologist for granted and fails to appeal to practitioners with minimal training or expertise. However, overall, the reviewer believes that this is a highly enjoyable and practically useful book which provides some guidance to practitioners wanting to "break free from managed care." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of A perilous calling: The hazards of psychotherapy practice.

Reviews the book, A perilous calling: The hazards of psychotherapy practice by Michael B. Sussman (1994). In this book, the author presents chapters by therapists from various disciplines (e.g., psychology, social work, psychiatry) that examine the "hazards" that lay hidden in the practice of psychotherapy. The author contends that doing psychotherapy "poses significant dangers to clinicians" (p. 1). He believes that there are forces both internal and external to the therapist that may take their toll on the therapist's well-being. Sussman makes the point that while other overtly dangerous professions (e.g., firefighter) warn prospective candidates of the perils of their field, novice psychotherapists are not prepared for what awaits them. Psychotherapists, then, enter the profession unprepared for, if not blind to, possibilities that not only make them less effective in their work, but might actually harm themselves and their families. Sussman sees a real human cost to not preparing clinicians to be aware of, and deal with, these hazards. The book is divided into six parts that range from the therapist's personal development to renewal. Along the way the reader encounters professional, ethical and legal issues, clinical dilemmas, the emotional impact of the work, and the ailments of the therapist. Within each particular area are rather personal, and at times idiosyncratic, chapters from a variety of psychotherapists. There are chapters that deal with AIDS, the Holocaust, body shame, and being a female therapist. Most of the chapters have a distinctly clinical orientation, while a few come across as philosophical discourses. There is one chapter by an expert witness in the Margaret Bean-Bayog case who warns of the dangers of the press on one's career. The wide scope of the chapter topics, at times, gives the book a disjointed feel and the sense that it is trying to tackle too many issues at once. Overall, this book provides a new slant on what is involved in the practice of psychotherapy. It raises some important questions about the field and how we prepare for its impact on our lives, for the practice of psychotherapy surely does affect the practitioner. Sussman and some of the chapter authors make a good case for increasing communication about potential hazards and developing strategies and training methods that will minimize their effects. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Handbook of psychotherapy supervision.

Reviews the book, Handbook of psychotherapy supervision by C. Edward Watkins Jr. (see record 1997-08923-000). This book offers a forum for some of the most influential thinkers of our time to discuss what is probably the most critical aspect of learning how to become a therapist: clinical supervision. The book is well organized, comprehensive, and informative. In it, the elusive nature of teaching how to conduct psychotherapy is explored and clarified from a variety of perspectives and across myriad contexts. Overall, the book provides a wealth of information in an organized and readable fashion. Nonetheless, the topics explored include some areas that were not covered adequately. For example, the book would have been further enhanced had the subject of supervisory failures been given more attention, as we know that learning from past errors often provides the most valuable teaching opportunities. Despite a few minor criticisms, the book serves as a wonderful reference for practitioners, students, and teachers of psychotherapy. While extremely useful for the beginning supervisor, the book is also a valuable resource for seasoned supervisors who wish to expand or challenge their ways of thinking about supervision. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Remaking teams: The revolutionary research-based guide that puts theory into practice.

Reviews the book, Remaking teams: The revolutionary research-based guide that puts theory into practice by Theresa Kline (1999). The author's goal was to provide practitioners with useable information concerning techniques and processes for increasing team effectiveness. She uses her own research and that of others to achieve this goal. The book contains 142 pages of text divided among 12 chapters in which the author presents many of her own case studies. The book includes a disk containing team development exercises and assessment tools. Human resource practitioners and training consultants will find the book to be a useful guide for developing team interventions. It will provide much needed direction for practitioners and consultants who are interested in the development and maintenance of teams. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Foundations and applications of group psychotherapy: A sphere of influence.

Reviews the book, Foundations and applications of group psychotherapy: A sphere of influence by Mark F. Ettin (see record 1992-97575-000). In a series of original chapters and adaptations of earlier stand-alone journal articles, Ettin reworks classic psychodynamic contributions and more recent object relations theorizing into a nicely organized and synthesized whole that compellingly underscores the necessity for appreciating the group qua group. The reviewer highlights several positive things about this book including the colorful, lyrical language and poignant clinical vignettes. However, there are some drawbacks: the text is "not an easy read." The language seems overly figurative and the material covered too expansive. Despite these drawbacks, this reviewer would recommend the book to novice as well as experienced practitioner. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Scientist-practitioner perspectives on test interpretation.

Reviews the book, Scientist-practitioner perspectives on test interpretation edited by James W. Lichtenberg and Rodney K. Goodyear (see record 1998-06400-000). As Lichtenberg and Goodyear clearly state, the purpose of this book was not to ingrain a scientific perspective towards the entire psychotherapy process, but rather to challenge readers to adopt a scientific attitude when critiquing the utility a particular tests has for a client, as well as appropriately interpreting the results. This book is suitable as a supplement to texts in a graduate psychotherapy course. It reminds the reader of the most important considerations when interpreting and sharing test results with clients. It shapes a novice's perspective by offering practical suggestions for the process of test interpretation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Play in child development and psychotherapy: Toward empirically supported practice.

Reviews the book, Play in child development and psychotherapy: Toward empirically supported practice by Sandra Russ (see record 2003-88219-000). Clinical child psychologists have used play as a vehicle for psychotherapy for over 75 years. However, current demands of managed care systems emphasize the need for time limited and empirically supported treatments. Although play techniques are commonly incorporated by psychologists of various theoretical orientations, Sandra Russ points out in this book the disparity between the theoretical role of play in psychotherapy and the actual evidence supporting these techniques. The first four chapters of the book provide literature reviews of the history, theory, and research on pretend play, considering both normative and clinical populations. The next three chapters focus more specifically on the current developments in understanding play from research and practice perspectives. Finally, Russ considers future objectives for researchers and practitioners who seek to expand and enhance the utility of play techniques in child psychotherapy. Russ's book clearly provides a basis for understanding the current state of the child play therapy field while strongly emphasizing the need for additional research. This book may be useful for practitioners who strive to provide empirically supported treatments because it provides theoretical and available research perspectives. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Self-esteem: Research, theory, and practice.

Reviews the book, Self-esteem: Research, theory, and practice by Chris Mruk (1995). Historically, attempting to define self-esteem has been a lot like defining love, often tried and ever elusive. When one aspect was grasped, others remain out of reach. Dr. Mruk, in his book Self- Esteem: Research, Theory, and Practice acknowledges that self-esteem is both a popular and elusive construct. It is used as both cause and effect, as explanation and outcome, as a factor and as a goal to be attained. It is a construct currently invoked by educators and politicians, clinicians and sociologists, columnists and critics, the authors of popular self-help books and talk show hosts. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of The therapeutic dialogue: A theoretical and practical guide to psychotherapy.

Reviews the book, The therapeutic dialogue: A theoretical and practical guide to psychotherapy by Sohan Lai Sharma (1986). Sharma has taken on the Herculean task of reviewing the whole of the available literature on psychotherapy, organizing it, and using the data to try to instruct the student therapist in the ways of a fundamentally eclectic, existential-humanistic model of psychotherapy. While I appreciate this effort, and wholeheartedly agree with this as the correct and necessary course for the future survival of psychotherapy, the way has already been more compellingly articulated by such writers as Jung, Rank, Rogers, Perls, R. D. Laing, Szasz, and May. Regrettably, though well-intentioned, Sharma's book lacks the requisite elegance, style, depth, and dynamism needed to help spark the essential resurrection of real psychotherapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Child neuropsychology: An introduction to theory, research, and clinical practice.

Reviews the book, Child neuropsychology: An introduction to theory, research, and clinical practice by Byron P. Rourke, Dirk J. Bakker, John L. Fisk, and John D. Strang (1983). With the arrival of this landmark text, there is now an established child neuropsychology literature that suggests more clearly than ever before that injury to the growing brain is often accompanied by strikingly different behavioural sequelae than a similar injury to the mature brain. This volume opens with a repudiation of the "nature-nurture" controversy. The second chapter includes a relevant and well-communicated account of the embryonic and foetal development of the nervous system. Chapters on brain asymmetry and plasticity combine to form the scholarly core of the text. Methodological problems in the study of cerebral asymmetry are highlighted. Chapters on assessment and remediation together with individual case studies illustrate how theory and research affect the manner in which one performs as a clinician. A review of behaviour modification strategies and insight-oriented psychotherapy is one of the few areas of weakness in this otherwise excellent volume. Child neuropsychology is one of the first books of its kind and is recommended highly for anyone interested in the study of brain/behaviour relationships in children. Its use as a textbook for senior undergraduate or graduate courses in child neuropsychology is strongly endorsed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Beyond the reflection: The role of the mirror paradigm in clinical practice.

Reviews the book, Beyond the reflection: The role of the mirror paradigm in clinical practice by Paulina Kernberg, Bernadette Buhl-Nielsen, and Lina Normandin (see record 2007-00911-000). This modestly presented volume overflows with insight and new ways of looking at the mirroring experience for children and adolescents. Kernberg and her collaborators present the rich history of the image, metaphor, and pervasive role of the mirror in human experience; they carefully describe the "subjective experience of wonder, admiration, and an objective dimension of truth" in the mirror paradigm (2006, p. xv). For the psychotherapist, Kernberg's work provides a rich resource; the review of past and current research and theorizing about the mirroring function of mothers and primary caregivers is thorough and up-to-date with the most recent advances in neuroscience, attachment theory, and infant research. From Freud to Lacan, from Winnicott to Stern, and from Schore to Gergely, Kernberg presents a sweeping exposition of the various images of the mirror. This volume is worthwhile if only for its presentation of this body of recent research. But there is so much more to be found here. While this is not the first time that Kernberg has presented us with her work with mirror observation and interviews (Kernberg, 1984, 1987), this volume integrates the research about early mother- child experience, and the mirroring paradigm in the psychoanalytic theories about child development, with the phenomenology of child and adolescent psychotherapy. The clinician will find a useful application of the theory to clinical practice and diagnosis that is hard to find in the literature. Beebe and Lachmann (2002) have accomplished this integration between infant research and adult treatment, but Kernberg's application of her research and the demonstrated correlation between the findings of mirror experience, attachment histories, and clinical experience is a rare and welcome addition to the literature. There are also valuable links made between the findings around mirror experience and children's trauma histories. This reader came away feeling that a tremendous debt is owed to the authors for helping to ground clinical theory and practice in substantial current research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Critical issues in psychotherapy: Translating new ideas into practice.

Reviews the book, Critical issues in psychotherapy: Translating new ideas into practice edited by Brent D. Slife, Richard N. Williams, and Sally H. Barlow (see record 2001-05779-000). Bridging the often enormous gap between theory and practice in psychotherapy, this volume seeks to examine a variety of models of psychotherapy in the light of recent advances in theoretical psychology, philosophy of science, and critical thinking. The book is organized around numerous issues of fundamental importance to contemporary psychotherapy, including chapters addressing the problems of empirically validated therapies, individualism, spirituality, multiculturalism, biological reductionism, managed care, freewill/determinism, eclecticism, feminism, and diagnostics. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)