Ordeal Therapy

The first chapter provides a succinct biography of this extraodinary man, describing how Erickson overcame numerous adversities in early life, and how these events shaped his development as a highly innovative thinker. Commentaries on Milton Erickson, M.D. examines the practical and theoretical aspects of Erickson's methods, including his therapeutic posture, expectation of change, emphasis on the positive, acknowledgement of more than one solution to a problem, blocking of symptomatic behavior, change in relation to the therapist, use of anectodes, and willingness to "let go" of patients. A Review of Ordeal Therapy focuses on a controversial therapeutic technique successfully used by Erickson. Haley cautions the reader, however, of the care with which this powerful technique should be exercised. A fascinating dialogue between Jay Haley and John Weakland,

George, a renowned psychiatrist, is treating a cabinet minister for autoerotic asphyxia, a dangerous sexual deviation. The minister is found dead, attached to his apparatus. George and Julia, a patient who is blackmailing him, become suspects.

Now in its second edition, this text introduces readers to the rich history and practice of Marriage and Family Therapy, with 32 professionals from across the US presenting their knowledge in their areas of expertise. This blend of approaches and styles gives this text a unique voice and makes it a comprehensive resource for graduate students taking their first course in Marriage and Family Therapy. The book is divided into three sections: Part 1 focuses on the components on which 21st century family therapy is based and summarizes the most recent changes made to not only therapeutic interventions, but to the very concept of “family.” Part 2 presents an overview of the 7 major theoretical models of the field: structural, strategic, Milan, social constructionist, experiential, transgenerational, and cognitive-behavioral family therapy. Each chapter in this section • Focuses on the founder of the theory, its theoretical tenants, and its key techniques • Shows how the model focuses on diversity • Presents the research that supports the approach Part 3 addresses specific treatment areas that are common to marriage and family therapists, such as sex therapy, pre-marital therapy, research, and ethics and legal issues. As an introduction to the field of Marriage and Family Therapy, this volume stands above the rest. Not only will readers gain an understanding of the rich history of the field and its techniques, but they will also see a complete picture of the context in which families are embedded, such as gender, culture, spirituality, and sexual orientation. This knowledge is the key to understanding what differentiates Marriage and Family Therapy from individual psychotherapy. Glossaries, case studies, tables, figures, and appendices appear generously throughout the text to present this information and give students a thorough overview to prepare them for their professional lives.

Noted therapist Jay Haley reveals how ordeals work in therapy and offers numerous case histories to illustrate how ordeals can help individuals, couples, and families solve a wide range of problems, even in cases with a history of therapeutic failure.

Beginning with an evolutionary history of the relationship between man and his environment, Nature-Guided Therapy takes us on a cross-cultural journey into traditional healing disciplines, such as ethno-medicine, sociobiology, and anthropology. By examining clinical data, empirical scientific investigations, and anecdotal accounts, Dr. George Burns helps point the way to healing benefits of a balanced relationship with the environment. Case histories and step by step procedures for utilizing nature-guided strategies are also presented. Designed as an immensely practical guide for clinicians, this volume contains over 80 therapeutic exercises and a variety of nature-based strategies to help augment clinical skills regardless of one's theoretical orientation. Also included is the author's Sensual Awareness Inventory to help access the client's experiences that may facilitate relaxation, happiness, and wellness. This book provides a fascinating read that can expand our views, challenge our therapeutic paradigms, broaden our clinical practice, and provide simple yet pragmatic treatment interventions.

This book uses psychological type as a model for organizing mental health interventions, including assessing how a client’s personality is affected within a specific relationship using the Psychological Type Relationship Inventory and the Psychological Type Relationship Scale. By examining each psychological type characteristic, the book demonstrates how to help a client overcome a psychological type challenge by using techniques drawn from cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, and family therapy approaches. Over 20 techniques are described in explicit how-to format and chapters show the reader how to assess both positive personality characteristics as well as negative or challenging personality characteristics in developing therapy plans. The interdisciplinary nature of the text benefits a wide spectrum of mental health practitioners who are interested in incorporating personality into their case conceptualizations to develop more effective interventions in relationship therapy.

As the study of the family has expanded, the need for an up-to-date volume that brings together and defines major salient words, phrases and concepts has similarly grown. The updated edition of this unique resource provides an expanded yet compact and handy reference for all practitioners, researchers and students in the fields of family psychology and psychotherapy. Each entry includes a definition of the term, an example of its use, the origin of the term, an early source using the term and, if pertinent, a recent source. `Borrowed' terms from other fields such as family law, sex therapy, clinical child psychology and group psychology are also included.

First Published in 1992. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.