Therapeutic Ways With Words

This is a linguistic analysis of the discourse between therapist and client in psychotherapy sessions. Ferrara emphasizes the interactive nature of the discourse, and shows how language is mutually constructed as the participants interweave bits and pieces of their own and others' sentences, metaphors, and narratives into the discussion.

Therapeutic Ways with Words provides a unique glimpse into language use in psychotherapy, an important speech event which has previously been shrouded in mystery. This important book shows how both clients and therapists accomplish their aims through language, which, paradoxically, is both the method of diagnosis and the medium of treatment in this cultural practice. With a discourse analysis of tape recordings and transcripts of actual psychotherapy sessions enhanced by a variety of ethnographic observations, Kathleen Warden Ferrara explores the skillful and creative uses of language in the complicated speech event of psychotherapy. Shedding light on discourse practices such as retellings of personal experience narrative, jointly constructed sentences and metaphorical extensions, and strategic uses of repetition, the study emphasizes the interactive nature of all discourse and shows how language is mutually constructed as people interweave pieces of their own and others' sentences, metaphors, and narratives.

What lies behind the language we use as counsellors and psychotherapists? How does language fit into a therapeutic context? Can we truly say what we mean, and hear what is said, in the consulting room? This book takes apart and repositions the most basic of therapeutic tools - the language used to communicate between therapist and client.

In the course of the last 15 years, sociolinguistics (or the sociology of language) has established itself as an academic subject in many countries. The discipline promises to be of benefit in solving practical problems in such areas as language planning and standardization, language teaching and therapy, and language policy. Both research projects and publications and university teaching programmes in sociolinguistics now span such a wide field that it is hardly possible even for the experts to review the whole scope of the subject. A number of specialist periodicals and introductions and sur.

How do our words acquire healing powers? How do words make changes in each others brains? How do special uses of words, poetic or therapeutic, modify our thoughts, alter our feelings and transform our lives? This book introduces helping professionals to the practice of poetry therapy, highlighting the prophetic role of poets and healing professionals in our everyday life.

At the heart of Making Play Just Right: Unleashing the Power of Play in Occupational Therapy is the belief that the most effective way to ensure pediatric occupational therapy is through incorporating play. The Second Edition is a unique resource on pediatric activity and therapy analysis for occupational therapists and students. This text provides the background, history, evidence, and general knowledge needed to use a playful approach to pediatric occupational therapy, as well as the specific examples and recommendations needed to help therapists adopt these strategies.

The book addresses counsellors and psychotherapists from all major theoretical orientations, from psychodynamic therapies through to humanistic and existential approaches, maintaining an overview that is relevant to an integrative position.

A uniquely practical guide and widely adopted text, this book shows precisely what therapists can say at key moments to enhance the process of healing and change. Paul Wachtel explains why some communications in therapy are particularly effective, while others that address essentially the same content may actually be countertherapeutic. He offers clear and specific guidelines for how to ask questions and make comments in ways that facilitate collaborative exploration and promote change. Illustrated with vivid case examples, the book is grounded in an integrative theory that draws from features of psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, systemic, and experiential approaches. New to This Edition * Reflects nearly 20 years of advances in the field and refinements of the author's approach. *Broader audience: in addition to psychodynamic therapists, cognitive-behavioral therapists and others will find specific, user-friendly recommendations. *Chapter on key developments and convergences across different psychotherapeutic approaches. *Chapter on the therapeutic implications of attachment theory and research. See also Wachtel's Relational Theory and the Practice of Psychotherapy, which explores a new direction in psychoanalytic thought that can expand and deepen clinical practice.