| Abstract: | Reviews the book, Cognitive-experiential therapy: An integrative ego psychotherapy by Melvin L. Weiner (1985). The theme of the book is that individuals who seek therapy need to learn to take on greater responsibility in their lives such that higher levels of adaptation can be achieved. Simply stated, therapeutic gains are obtained when individuals are willing to surrender the roles of passivity and victimization and replace these with experiences of mastery and self-agency. In addition to a dynamic focus on the operations of the ego, Weiner has integrated into the CET model key Piagetian principles. The result is an approach that emphasizes an active interplay between affective processes and cognitive development. Weiner does a fine job in presenting and justifying the CET approach. He identifies two likely criticisms of the model and then draws from the psychoanalytic literature to present counterpoints. But, the book is not without a few shortcomings. Some readers might take issue with the balance between presentation of theory and contextual background on the one hand and clinical material on the other. While the review of theory tends to be thin, the clinical examples are at times lengthy and the accompanying commentaries occasionally redundant. Also, a later chapter, which reviews the effectiveness of CET, could be challeged on methodological grounds. The clinical trials investigation does not readily meet even minimal standards for an empirical study. These limitations notwithstanding, CET is nevertheless recommended reading for students, theorists, and especially practitioners of psychotherapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
