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 Supervising the reflective practitioner: An essential guide to theory and practice.

Reviews the book, Supervising the reflective practitioner: An essential guide to theory and practice by Joyce Scaife (see record 2010-09732-000). This review begins with an elaboration on the two key terms in the title. First, the book is about supervising rather than being or becoming a reflective practitioner. As Scaife notes, much of supervision involves modeling, and therefore, a supervisor must be reflective in order to encourage the student to become more reflective. However, a psychodynamic practitioner would think of this as parallel process, so that the reflection in supervision might ultimately be translated into reflection in psychotherapy. The more important term in the title is reflective practitioner. This immediately draws to mind the concept of reflective practitioner introduced by Donald Sch?n (1983), and there are some very important parallels that the reviewer points out. In conclusion, the reader will be rewarded by multiple exercises that will be useful in supervising and in classroom teaching. Scaife very helpfully points out that assessment often is contrary to the spirit of reflection, because the student attempting to satisfy the instructor is not attending to his or her own needs, as is necessary for successful reflection. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 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 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 Musical creativity: Multidisciplinary research in theory and practice.

Reviews the book, Musical creativity: Multidisciplinary research in theory and practice by Irène Deliège and Geraint A. Wiggins (2006). This book is an edited volume developed from the proceedings of a conference held at the University of Liège in Belgium in 2002, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the founding of the European Society for the Cognitive Sciences of Music. The book is ambitious in scope, and it is clearly organized around a varied series of perspectives on musical creativity. The purpose of this book is explicitly stated as "a source of ideas, research topics to start on, to follow up on, or to develop" (p. xv). In that sense, the book succeeds. Even those who are not particularly interested in music research might find some of its ideas and perspectives stimulating and take them as a challenge to develop them analogously in their own areas. On the whole, Musical Creativity is well worth a look, and its best chapters make it a useful and valuable reference. (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 Psychology as a profession: Foundations of practice.

Reviews the book, Psychology as a profession: Foundations of practice by W. B. Pryzwansky and R. N. Wendt (see record 1987-98014-000). Pryzwansky and Wendt provide a guidebook on professional issues addressed to both applied psychologists and those in training. The book begins with a general introduction to the topic of psychology as a profession, which is followed by a chapter on each of the following issues: credentialing in psychology, ethics and standards, legal impact in practice, professional development and accountability (including internships), and professional organizations. Many important professional issues are presented by the authors. It is clear that this book is directed to an audience of applied psychologists in general, but school psychologists will find a number of relevant areas not well covered. Psychology as a profession is a handy, small book to supplement a professional practices course. However, its size and purpose limit the depth with which specific topics can be elaborated, resulting in a number of gaps in coverage. In addition, given the vulnerability of several of the topics in this book to ongoing change, the reader needs to be reminded of the possibility that some information will become outdated. However, the book does provide a useful introduction to topics that seem to impact increasingly on the lives of professional psychologists. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Work motivation: History, theory, research, and practice.

Reviews the book, Work motivation: History, theory, research, and practice by Gary Latham (see record 2006-11764-000). The reviewer commends Latham for writing an empirically comprehensive and "personal" book on work motivation. Included is a history of work motivation studies throughout the last 100 years, directions for future research, and the author's reflections on what he has learned about the field on his own professional and personal journey through life. The reviewer praises the author's style highly, and recommends this book to all. (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)     

Review of Challenges in clinical practice.

Reviews the book, Challenges in clinical practice edited by Pollack, Otto, and Rosenbau (see record 1996-97898-000). This textbook addresses the interface of pharmacological and psychological approaches to treating human behavior. It seems to strike the difficult balance between providing sufficient scientific and clinical underpinnings in a "reader friendly" format, without speaking down to the audience. In general, this book is sufficiently comprehensive and written in a clear style. It may be helpful for psychiatrists as well as psychologists, though general practitioners might have some difficulty keeping up. However, an attempt to further dilute it would probably have detracted from its strengths. This was an ambitious effort by the authors. One hopes that such work will enhance future efforts to bridge the gap between two fields that are in need of a new training model that will help in the development of a much more powerful model for the comprehensive delivery of mental health services. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Environmental psychology: Principles and practice.

Reviews the book, Environmental psychology: Principles and practice by Robert Gifford (see record 1987-97351-000). Publication of this undergraduate text is a welcome event in environmental psychology. Especially environmental psychology in Canada. The first text in the field by a Canadian, the book is richly illustrated with Canadian scenes and examples. Part One, on infra-individual processes, emphasizes basic principles. Gifford discusses such topics as environmental perception, cognitive representation of the large-scale environments ("mental mapping"), appraisal of stimuli, and personality differences in response to places. Part Two, on the human use of space, bridges research and application. It covers such topics as crowding, personal space, privacy, and territoriality. Part Three is more of a grab-bag, with the focus on environmental concerns and practical problems. The text also emphasizes the discipline of environmental psychology per se, including its historical roots and some of its current institutions. The text reflects the field most accurately: environmental psychology has not yet jelled into a single paradigm. Course instructors will find that the text, like the field, serves as a background for whatever structure and emphases they choose to impose. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Social intervention: Theory and practice.

Reviews the book, Social intervention: Theory and practice, edited by Edward M. Bennett (see record 1987-98585-000). Scholarly literature in the field of social change is extensive, but knowledge of the nature of that change and the process of how it is implemented and carried out is limited. According to Bennett, this lacuna is due to the fact that writings in the field have dealt with interventions within a system and not with change of the system itself. The scarcity of meaningful study of social intervention, Bennett believes, is due to the unwillingness of social scientists to 1) function together in teams to address what is in essence a problem, 2) to pair-up with practitioners working on social intervention projects in joint ventures, and 3) to address the limitations of the logical positivist traditions of their university bases. To overcome these obstacles, Bennett has called upon both academics and practitioners from various disciplines to present both theory and interventions dealing with social problems. The book contains 14 chapters divided into four parts: I, Introduction; II, Cultural, Ideological and Educational Approaches to Social Intervention; III, Legal, Policy and Political Approaches to Social Intervention; and IV, Community Economic Development Approaches to Social Intervention. This book represents a Herculean task. Any text which would include the diversity of professions and disciplines in an effort to integrate theory and practice relating to social intervention is a challenge few would undertake. In doing so, Bennett has produced a volume which does indeed represent a serious attempt to come to grips with how to change a system instead of just the parts of that system. He has achieved this by insisting on a workable conceptual structure, theme and focus for all contributors regardless of the content areas covered by the authors. (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 Therapeutic communities for addictions: Readings in theory, research and practice.

Reviews the book, Therapeutic communities for addictions: Readings in theory, research and practice edited by George DeLeon and James T. Ziegenfuss Jr. (1986). DeLeon and Ziegenfuss present a collection of readings that are representative of the current thinking about therapeutic communities. Initially the concept of therapeutic communities was exclusively utilized in psychiatric settings. Since the 1960s the therapeutic community approach has been widened and predominantly applied in the treatment of drug abusers. The therapeutic community offers a systematic approach to achieve its main rehabilitative objective, which is the reorganization of the life-style, perception, and behavior of the addict. The overall conceptualization of the book is an excellent one. One aspect that it has failed to address is the impact on the staff, usually former addicts, of prolonged work within the TC. A chapter on burnout and how to combat it within the TC would have enriched the book. This book will appeal to the researcher, to the clinician, and to psychotherapists who may need to refer clients to a TC within their geographic area. It gives a clear understanding of historical roots, functioning, and contributions to treatment of addicts. It also explores the implications of extensive longtitudinal research findings on our dealing with the addicts in our society. Certainly a worthy book to add to our libraries on clinical understanding of such a critical problem. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Outcomes assessment in clinical practice.

Reviews the book, Outcomes assessment in clinical practice edited by Lloyd I. Sederer and Barbara Dickey. This book is a timely publication dealing with the urgent and imperative situation in health care delivery, especially in the area of mental health services. There are four Sections in the book. Section I is titled Integrating Outcomes Assessment into Clinical Practice. This section conveys in a rational and reasonable sequence the definition, impetus, history, scope, process, and current crisis-like status of mental health care, in terms of its financing, its validity, and its effectiveness. Section II is called Instruments of Outcomes Assessment and contains sixteen chapters, each describing a different instrument of assessment. Section III optimistically proclaimed a future improvement of health care delivery and access. These five chapters were exciting, but require a most open and direct acknowledgement of the need for protection of patients and therapists in this field. Complementing Section II is Section IV which contains the Appendices. According to the reviewer, this book has the potential to advance the practice of psychotherapy. But presenting it as a means to satisfy so many volatile and uncontrolled social, political, economic, and other forces can lead to its corruption. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Therapeutic communities for addictions: Readings in theory, research and practice.

Reviews the book, Therapeutic communities for addictions: Readings in theory, research and practice edited by George De Leon and James T. Ziegenfus Jr. (1986). The editors represent this collection of articles concerning therapeutic communities (TCs) and substance abuse as "a first." Its stated purpose is to educate "audiences within and outside of the field of addictions" about the relevancy of the TC as a rehabilitative model, to enhance the "credibility and efficacy" of the TC within the range of treatment models and services, and to stimulate dialogue and research among professionals. The first section of this three-part volume addresses the expression of the TC in its two main varieties: the self-help hierarchical model, widely used in the rehabilitation of substance abusers, and the democratic type, more commonly seen in the treatment of psychiatric patients. Part Two concerns the effectiveness of treatment outcomes and processes. Part Three elaborates on some issues previewed in Part Two. A balanced and comprehensive overview of the subject appears to have been accomplished through careful selection of the material. The authors have presented salient issues of theory, practice, research, and development of the TC model within a sociological framework. While this volume has broad appeal for practitioners, researchers, and students, it has special utility for the professional in the addictions field with limited exposure to this treatment modality. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Health consequences of abuse in the family: A clinical guide for evidence-based practice.

Reviews the book, Health consequences of abuse in the family: A clinical guide for evidence-based practice, edited by Kathleen A. Kendall-Tackett (see record 2003-88342-000). This book is a comprehensive clinical guide that stresses the necessity of assessing and understanding the effects of abuse on physical health. Each chapter succinctly captures unique issues relevant to the assessment and treatment of abuse with at-risk populations (e.g., children with disabilities, battered women, those with traumatic brain injuries, elderly individuals, and minority women). The book gives thoughtful consideration to the barriers in assessing abuse and provides insightful suggestions on how to overcome those obstacles. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 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 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 Generalized anxiety disorder: From science to practice.

Reviews the book, Generalized anxiety disorder: From science to practice by Michel J. Dugas and Melisa Robichaud (2006). The reviewers commend the authors for providing a comprehensive overview of GAD. Chapters include information on diagnosis, assessment techniques and treatment modules. Dugas and Robichaud refer to their treatment as primarily cognitive and emphasize the difference between their approach and other cognitive and cognitive-behavioural treatments for GAD. The treatment presented does not employ relaxation training or other strategies to reduce physical tension and overarousal. Rather, this treatment makes use of specific cognitive interventions with the understanding that physical and affective symptoms will decrease with corresponding reductions in excessive worry. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)