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.

In this classic book Jay Haley explains how and why the use of ordeals work in therapy. He provides an account of the theoretical basis of ordeal therapy, showing how it builds on the work of Milton H. Erickson. Problems discussed include psychosomatic symptoms, uncontrollable and violent children, separation and divorce, anxiety, incontinence, sexual frustration, alcoholism, speech blocks, and depression.

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,

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.

Creative Therapy in Challenging Situations introduces readers to the innovative approaches that therapists sometimes take when standardized, paint-by-numbers routines don’t work. Each chapter presents the story of one or more difficult psychotherapy situations followed by the therapists’ descriptions of what they did and why, as well as the outcome that resulted. The authors and their stories span a wide variety of theoretical approaches and contexts, showing how clinicians can improvise beyond everyday scenarios and techniques. This collection of provocative, instructive vignettes from well-known practitioners often generates “You said what?!” reactions while encouraging readers to think creatively in the moment in order to reach healthy, innovative outcomes from the trickiest and most unexpected therapeutic scenarios.

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.

No other available text offers such a hands-on approach to marriage and family therapy theory. At the core of Systemic Family Therapy are comprehensive sections devoted to each developmental phase of the family therapy movement. With clear descriptions and session-by-session case examples, the author explores specific approaches within each of these phases. With this pragmatic tenor, students will gain a clear and in-depth understanding of how family theory concepts relate to practice–as well as ways those concepts interact with each other. Key Features Uses specific examples and session-by-session case studies to illustrate how theoretical construct actually work in practice Outlines the shifts in thinking of the family therapy field–from modern to postmodern Uses rich graphic representations and straightforward tables to illustrate key theoretical concepts Incorporates compelling questions and learning exercises that will lead to dynamic class discussions Intended Audience A refreshing departure from traditional instruction of family therapy theory, this core textbook is an excellent resource for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students of family therapy, counseling, social work, and family studies.

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.

When did you last have enough free time to carefully create, develop, and test a therapeutic concept or teaching method to improve the help you provide to your patients? With The Therapist's Notebook, a compilation of original ideas by practicing clinicians, you can tap into the knowledge and experience of seasoned professionals to give your clients tangible, field-tested assignments that will represent their work and progress in therapy. Appropriate for practicing marriage and family therapists, psychologists, social workers, and other therapists of any professional affiliation who deal with children, adolescents, adults, couples, or families, this dynamic handbook provides you with handouts and homework activities that are quick and easy and require little effort or experience to use. The Therapist's Notebook is a valuable resource for both experienced and novice clinicians. Established clinicians will know how to fit each chapter to a particular clientele, while uninitiated clinicians or trainees will appreciate how the ready-made materials help their clients and spur their own creativity in intervening. You'll find therapeutic work becomes less stressful and more enjoyable as you learn about helping these populations deal with important issues: Adults--goal setting, boundary issues, life transitions, communication, problemsolving, compulsivity, feelings Couples--trust, infidelity, leisure time, communication, conflict resolution, sexuality, enrichment Families--rules/punishment, decisionmaking, gender roles, chores and responsibilities, communication Children--self-esteem, school problems, social skills, abuse, discipline problems Adolescents--peer pressure, school issues, communication, involvement in therapy, behavior Other--resistant clients, crisis counseling, linking clients with social resources The Therapist's Notebook gives you a tangible, useful product you can utilize with clients. The book's compilation of homework, handouts, and activities that have been successfully applied to client populations is valuable not only for therapists’daily use, but also to illustrate creative, clinically tested interventions to future counselors, therapists, social workers, teachers, school psychologists, and special educators. Particularly useful as an ancillary text in university courses in psychotherapy-related fields, the book's user-friendly format will enliven practicum courses and ensure heightened student participation.

It is the author's contention that creating an environment where the client expects change is the foundation of doing effective very brief therapy. His own private practice is one where he rarely sees clients more than one or two times. Clients know in advance that this is the way that he works, and so their expectation is that during this session they are going to get down to the hard stuff. This means working as if each session were the last one. So, this book is about all of the things that are designed to work in a single-session mode.