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.

Like its predecessor, Constructive Therapies, Volume 1, this engaging book presents a range of creative, time- effective approaches for helping clients build on their competencies and develop their own solutions. In-depth interviews with Michael White, Steve de Shazer, Bill O'Hanlon, Donald Meichenbaum, and Kenneth Gergen are incorporated with other clinicially oriented chapters from well-known therapists. Topics covered include different styles of constructive therapy, the externalization and deconstruction of problems, narrative work with ADHD-diagnosed children, a solution-focused approach for dealing with cases of domestic violence, EMDR and the MRI interactional approach, actualizing the empty self in psychotherapy, emotional and spiritual healing, and more. Illustrative case examples are featured throughout.

Here, in plain language, is the definitive guide for taking control of your life and imbuing it with greater meaning and productivity. Constructive Living is an action-based way of looking at the world that combines good, old-fashioned straight talk and the celebrated Japanese psychotherapies Morita and Naikan. David Reynolds, the father of this brilliantly simple and effective therapy, shows us how to live thoughtfully and economically, to regard our actions as if they were divine rituals, and to perform them with the utmost care. He contends that contentment is achieved, not bestowed--attaining peace and satisfaction takes daily practice and learning. With user-friendly anecdotes, practical exercises, and a sense of humor, he refreshes the experienced student and takes the novice to the beginning, laying out the essence of Constructive Living.

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.

`I liked this book. Though I am not a family therapist, like most mental health nurses I try to bear in mind the family relationships of individuals I am working with. This is an enlightening text which not only offer a framework with which we can better understand the severe psychopathologies seen in forensic work, but also gives examples of how it may be used therapeutically' - Mental Health Practice Roger Lowe's book provides a refreshingly different approach to working with families, which chimes with the growing interest in constructive approaches. It is written for trainees and for practitioners who are interested in developing their skills in this collaborative and optimistic approach.

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.

“Constructive wallowing” seems like an oxymoron. Constructive is a good thing, but wallowing is bad. Right? But wait a minute; is it really so terrible to give ourselves a time-out to feel our feelings? Or is it possible that wallowing is an act of loving kindness, right when we need it most? Just about everyone loves the idea of self-compassion -- the notion that maybe in spite of our messy emotions and questionable behavior, we really aren’t all that bad. In recent years there’s been an explosion of books that encourage readers to stop beating themselves up for being human, which is terrific. Unfortunately, readers who aren’t interested in Buddhism or meditation have been left out in the cold. Self-compassion is an everyday habit that everyone can learn, even if they a) aren't particularly spiritual, b) find most books about self-compassion too serious, or else c) have already overdosed on meditation. Constructive Wallowing: How to Beat Bad Feelings by Letting Yourself Have Them is the first book to cut right to the chase, bypassing descriptions of Eastern philosophy and meditation techniques to teach readers exactly how to accept and feel their feelings with self-compassion for greater emotional health and well-being … while making them laugh from time to time. It seems that the wisdom of “keeping your friends close and your enemies closer” applies to emotions as well as people. It’s tempting to turn away from menacing, uncomfortable feelings like anger, grief or regret and treat them like unwanted guests; however, ignoring them just seems to make them stick around. They lurk in the background like punks with switchblades, waiting to pounce as soon as they see an opening. By learning to accept and embrace, rather than suppress, difficult feelings, people can keep their sense of personal power and, better yet, gain greater understanding and ultimately esteem for themselves. Feeling bad can actually lead to feeling better, faster!

A guide to the use of treatment approaches known as constructive therapies The leading teachers and practitioners in this powerful handbook represent a variety of schools of therapeutic treatments that all share an optimistic view of people as resourceful individuals who construct their own realities. Emphasizing a collaborative approach, the therapies focus on the strengths and resources of the clients and look to where people want to go rather than where they have been. Hoyt should be commended for bringing together in one volume diverse voices that bring alive the exciting possibilities that mark and define this new era of psychotherapy. ?Steven Freidman, author of Time-Effective Psychotherapy

"[R]eading this book has given me a whole host of new ideas about working with complex and dissociative clients... Clear and engaging, peppered with relevant case histories, this book would make an important addition to anyone's EMDR-related book collection." -- Dr. Robin Logie, EMDR UK & Ireland This book is the first to bring together in one volume an overview of the principal issues in treatment of dissociative disorders in complex PTSD, and a description of the integration of specific EMDR-related interventions or "tools" with other psychotherapeutic treatments. These tools can significantly extend the therapeutic power of EMDR-related methods. Each intervention is examined in detail with accompanying transcripts illustrating the nuances and variations in how the intervention is applied. It is written by a highly esteemed EMDR scholar, trainer, international speaker, and author who is an EMDRIA-designated "Master Clinician." The book discusses how the concepts and vocabulary of other models of dissociation (particularly the Theory of Structural Dissociation of the Personality, and the Internal Family Systems model) translate directly into EMDRís Adaptive Information Processing language. It presents detailed descriptions of specific EMDR-related tools that are useful in facilitating and safely accelerating therapeutic progress with clients suffering from Complex PTSD. These include such standard EMDR procedures as Trauma Processing and Resource Installation, several conceptual/cognitive/phenomenological models of dissociative personality structures and symptoms, and specific EMDR interventions for resolving dysfunctionally stored post-traumatic elements. The book will be of great value to therapists who wish to extend their use of basic EMDR with "easier" clients to using it effectively with more complex clients. Key Features: Provides a theoretical framework to guide assessment and treatment of clients with Complex PTSD Serves as a "hands-on" resource for using specific EMDR procedures Describes each intervention in detail, illustrating the nuances and variations in different applications Includes specific "AIP" tools, actual therapy scripts, and client drawings Covers DSM-V PSTD criteria