Paradox Out Patient

Explaining the truth behind the screening statistics and investigating the evidence behind the hype, Margaret McCartney, an award-winning writer and doctor, argues that this patient paradox - too much testing of well people and not enough care for the sick - worsens health inequalities and drains professionalism.

Originally published in 1985 and now revised and updated, this work presents the seminal theory that has led to the use of paradoxical techniques in different systems of therapy. Dr. Weeks, a pioneer in the field, has gathered well-known therapists to address key issues such as structure and process of paradoxical therapy; theories of health, dysfunction, and change; ethical implications of working paradoxically; and effectiveness of paradoxical interventions. Selected case studies shed light on basic questions such as whether to work paradoxically and how to establish treatment goals and termination procedures.

Paradox and the Possibility of Knowledge argues that psychoanalytic theory has certain mostly unnoticed features that bring out, with unusual clarity, a logic that is true of conceptual thought generally. This logic is paradoxical in that it is deliberately and productively self-canceling. The general relevance of this logic to conceptual thought and to theory offers a solution to some fundamental epistemological problems. First, it allows a solution to the problem of the ultimate circularity or infinite regress of knowledge, by showing how the circle or regress eliminates itself in a variety of successful knowledge-grounding ways. Second, it offers some resulting insights into issues involving politically troublesome dimensions of knowledge, specifically into the procedure of ethical political dialogue. The book is written in the contexts of both Anglo-American philosophy and Continental or European philosophy. The argument is largely Wittgensteinian, and at the same time proceeds through detailed reference to Freud's and Lacan's work. On the way it addresses theory construction in general, including the claims of phenomenology and deconstruction.

In this innovative text, Carol Holmes provides students and professional psychotherapists with an historical account leading to the most up-to-date information on the core psychoanalytic concept of counter-transference and the subsequent changes that have occurred in its clinical application. This book uniquely examines the fundamental principles and practice that underpin some of the major schools of psychotherapy including psychoanalysis, existential, humanistic, integrative, systemic and communicative therapy. The author compares the philosophies that underline these diverse schools and explores their precepts in relation to the notion of counter-transference. In contrast to traditional psychoanalytic texts, the counter-transference theme of the book is examined in relation to the biased and contradictory aspect of the concept, and highlights some of the more radical and interpersonal ideas that endorse the relational and complementary qualities between therapist and client. The text offers concise and engaging introductions to the main schools of psychotherapy, and includes interviews and case study analyses from notable practitioners and trainers from these competing approaches. This book will be invaluable for those interested in understanding the importance of the hidden messages that are concealed in our communications.