Constructive Psychotherapy

An invaluable teaching text and clinical resource, this is a book about how to do psychotherapy--how to apply the science of change to the complexities of helping people develop new meanings in their lives. Explaining constructivist principles and illuminating what a skilled clinician actually does in day-to-day practice, Michael J. Mahoney shows how to nurture the therapeutic relationship while implementing such creative interventions as centering techniques, problem solving, pattern work, meditation and embodiment exercises, drama and dream work, and spiritual exploration. Appendices feature reproducible client forms, handouts, and other useful materials.

Constructivist psychotherapy focuses on the meaning that clients attribute to their world, and the way that this shapes their life and contributes to their difficulties. In this book, Robert A. Neimeyer, a leading figure in the field, provides a clear and accessible explanation of the key features of this approach. Constructivist Psychotherapy: Distinctive Features concentrates on the 30 key commitments that distinguish constructivism from other cognitive behavioural perspectives. Divided into two sections – Theory and Practice – this straightforward book is illustrated throughout with case material and recent research findings. Neimeyer provides us with a fresh perspective on familiar material, together with a clear, concise introduction to material that the reader may be less familiar with, making this book a valuable text for professionals in training as well as a source of new ideas for practising therapists of constructivist psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy has undergone major changes in recent years, with a variety of new approaches including cognitive-behavioural therapy joining the more traditional and widespread schools of thought. These new approaches all share the epistemological assumption of constructivism, which states that there are alternative ways of looking at events and that we interpret events according to how we see the world. Constructivist Psychotherapy reviews the constructivist trends in psychotherapy which link these new approaches, allowing the reader to enter an entirely new dialogue. The book traces constructivist thought, elaborating on Kelly’s personal construct theory and the implications for psychotherapeutic theory and practice. Areas of discussion include: the therapist’s understanding of the client’s narrative a constructivist understanding of the person psychological constructivism and constructivist trends in psychotherapy Setting constructivist psychotherapy within its therapeutic, social and philosophical context and using case studies throughout, the book revisits 'Kellian' ideas and theories, bringing them up to date, to explore what it is to be a constructivist psychotherapist today. As such this book will be of interest to all psychotherapists, as well as anyone with an interest in the psychotherapeutic field.

Constructive Clinical Supervision in Counseling and Psychotherapy articulates a practical, theoretical approach to supervision that integrates salient elements of a number of diverse but complementary theoretical perspectives from the fields of human development, psychotherapy, and clinical supervision to assist in facilitating supervisee growth and change from a constructivist framework. This constructive approach to supervision is designed to serve as a practical, integrative meta-theory for supervisors of any theoretical orientation. For readers who already identify with constructivist ideas, this book will provide a theoretical grounding for their work, along with strategies to deepen their clinical practice. For those who are new to constructivist thinking, this book offers an innovative possibility for conceptualizing their role as clinical supervisors and alternative interventions to consider during times of impasse.

ìÖthe entire field of psychological services is moving through a developmental transformation of significant proportionsÖopen dialogue regarding its diversity is likely to be one of its saving graces in the centuries to come.î - From the Editorís Conclusion Updated and expanded from the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, Dr. Mahoney has assembled an impressive group of top psychologists to focus on current developments in cognitive and constructive psychotherapies. The volume traces the evolution of cognitive therapy from its origin in behavior modification through its development and maturation as an integrative system of therapy.

Learn the various counseling theories through authentic examples led by actual practitioners working with real clients This comprehensive two-DVD set promotes student learning by illustrating each of the counseling theories covered in the textbook Counseling and Psychotherapy Theories in Context and Practice, Second Edition by John and Rita Sommers-Flanagan. However, the DVDs can be used in conjunction with this text or as a stand-alone teaching tool in any course covering psychotherapy theories and techniques. Unique in its presentation of real clinicians from a variety of work settings—including school and college counselors—working with actual clients, the DVDs: Feature practitioners and clients who represent ethnic, gender, age, and religious diversity Model how to develop a positive therapeutic relationship from any theoretical perspective Help students not only understand the differences between theories, but also the difference between theory and technique Offer commentary by the authors on how the counselor in the session made decisions from a theoretical perspective as well as why a particular counseling theory was appropriate for the client’s situation Exploring Psychoanalytic, Adlerian, Existential, Person-Centered, Gestalt, Behavioral, Cognitive-Behavioral, Reality, Feminist, Solution-Focused, and Family Systems theories, these two DVDs shed light on these theories in real practice with clients.

Constructivist psychotherapy focuses on the meaning that clients attribute to their world, and the way that this shapes their life and contributes to their difficulties. In this book, Robert A. Neimeyer, a leading figure in the field, provides a clear and accessible explanation of the key features of this approach. Constructivist Psychotherapy: Distinctive Features concentrates on the 30 key commitments that distinguish constructivism from other cognitive behavioural perspectives. Divided into two sections – Theory and Practice – this straightforward book is illustrated throughout with case material and recent research findings. Neimeyer provides us with a fresh perspective on familiar material, together with a clear, concise introduction to material that the reader may be less familiar with, making this book a valuable text for professionals in training as well as a source of new ideas for practising therapists of constructivist psychotherapy.

Constructive Clinical Supervision in Counseling and Psychotherapy articulates a practical, theoretical approach to supervision that integrates salient elements of a number of diverse but complementary theoretical perspectives from the fields of human development, psychotherapy, and clinical supervision to assist in facilitating supervisee growth and change from a constructivist framework. This constructive approach to supervision is designed to serve as a practical, integrative meta-theory for supervisors of any theoretical orientation. For readers who already identify with constructivist ideas, this book will provide a theoretical grounding for their work, along with strategies to deepen their clinical practice. For those who are new to constructivist thinking, this book offers an innovative possibility for conceptualizing their role as clinical supervisors and alternative interventions to consider during times of impasse.