Download Author: Hammer, Max, Ph.D.

6 eBooks available.

Essence of an Effective Therapeutic Process

In this final section I would like to summarize the basic material in this book in the form of presenting my conclusions in regard to what I feel to be the essential aspects of an effective therapeutic process. As long as value judgments exist in regard to how one defines the nature of man, and therefore also the nature of optimal psychic functioning, there will always be disagreements in regard to the essence of an effective therapeutic process. (39 pp.)

The Theory and Practice of Psychotherapy with Specific Disorders

Essentially this book is designed to be used by professional psychotherapists in such fields as psychology, psychiatry, and social work as a source book for the understanding and treatment of a wide variety of adult psychological disorders. It will also be useful as a textbook for advanced courses in psychotherapy and as a supplementary text for basic courses in psychotherapy.

Written by some of the most outstanding therapeutic practitioners in the field of psychotherapy, this volume was created to provide the professional psychotherapist with exposure to the newest, most creative and most effective approaches available today in regard to the treatment and management of the most basic psychopathologies that he is likely to encounter in his clinical practice.

Each contributor to this book is a renowned authority in the area of the treatment of the particular psychological disorder about which he is writing. He shares with the reader his understanding of the basic nature of the disorder along with the therapeutic considerations and insights that he has found to be most valuable and essential in dealing effectively and successfully with the kind of patient under discussion. Case illustrations are amply and appropriately supplied to help clarify even further the therapeutic approach under discussion.

In addition to coverage of the major psychopathologies the text is unique in that it covers content areas rarely, if ever, discussed in other psychotherapy books.

  • Psychodynamics, Management, and Psychotherapy of Suicidal Patients
  • Psychotherapy of Patients with Psychosomatic Disorders
  • Psychotherapy of Patients with Acting-Out Disorders
  • Psychotherapy of Patients with Sexual Disorders
  • Psychotherapy with the Aged
  • Establishment of some basic criteria for an effective therapeutic process

The book is additionally unique in that it offers a new interpretation and theoretical discussion of the essence of the psychotherapeutic process which goes beyond the remediation of psychopathological symptoms. The reader is acquainted with the essence of the psychological growth process which enables one to continue one’s personal growth beyond the removal of symptoms to the attainment of personal maturity, fulfillment, and self-actualization. (659 pp.)

To Students Interested in Becoming Psychotherapists

There appears to be a direct relationship between the effectiveness of therapeutic outcome and the personal psychological health of the therapist. Studies have determined that therapeutic results tend to be most favorable when the therapist is warm, genuine, congruent and one who sincerely likes his patient. (67 pp.)

Psychotherapy with Depressed Patients

A depressive reaction is basically an acute feeling of despondency and dysphoria of varying intensity and duration. It is a response which is highly subjective in that what causes one individual to become depressed may leave another relatively unaffected. In this chapter the neurotic or pathological states of depression will be dealt with rather than the psychotic states or those transient states of mood typically referred to as dejection, pessimism or disappointment which are relatively common to all. (53 pp.)

Psychotherapy with Suicidal Patients

Although suicide is frequently a reaction to a feeling of intolerance to one of the depressive reactions discussed in the previous chapter, this is not always the case. It is important to recognize that not all suicides manifest depressive symptoms and that the psychodynamics of depression are not always sufficient to account for all suicide attempts. Some of the most typical psychodynamics involved in suicide will be discussed. It is important to recognize that several of these psychodynamic factors may be operative at one time, in any one suicidal reaction. (47 pp.)

Psychotherapy with the Aged

This chapter will present the basic symptoms, psychodynamics and therapeutic problems that the psychotherapist is likely to confront in working with elderly persons, as well as suggestions in regard to various approaches which can be helpful in working psychotherapeutically with these persons. (39 pp.)