Jan 9, 2013 | Book Reviews
As a graduate student with a basic understanding of Gestalt theory, I found Gestalt Therapy: Advances in Theory and Practice a very thought-provoking read that further explored key concepts and introduced me to contemporary thought on Gestalt theory and practice. The book is a collection of works written by experts in the field and edited by Talia Bar-Yoseph Levine. Bar-Yoseph Levine writes that her intent is to “take Gestalt theoretical view…from ‘now’ into ‘next’” (p. xviii) by inviting Gestalt practitioners and thinkers from diverse backgrounds and languages to “write about that which is closest to his/her heart and that interests them the most” (xix). The result is a bold and varied collection of topics which include Gestalt theory and neuroscience, spirituality, ethics, politics and personality. The book also includes approaches to Gestalt practice and case studies in individual, family, couple and group therapy.
Gestalt Therapy is divided into two parts. Part I includes eight chapters that examine Gestalt therapy and theory from contemporary perspectives. Bar-Yoseph Levine introduces a “gestalt philosophy of being” which expands the principles of Gestalt therapy to just about any human interaction. In another chapter, Erving Polster explores morality and writes about Life Focus Communities. Attending to the embodied relational field, personality as a function of self in society and spirituality in gestalt therapy are examined in subsequent chapters.
Many of the authors in this book challenge conventionally held Gestalt concepts such as holism, awareness, field, projection and the paradoxical theory of change. In some cases, the authors suggest a modification or eradication of the term itself as was the case in Chapter 3, where Charles Bowman suggests that the term “holism” may no longer prove useful in Gestalt therapy because of its numerous implications today. Other chapters offer a challenge to particular Gestalt concepts as is the case in Chapter 6, where Lynne Jacobs questions whether the concept of projection even has value for therapists in a post-Cartesian world.
Part II takes the reader from a discussion of theory into clinical applications for Gestalt therapists including specific examples and case studies. Lolita Sapriel explores the integration of mindfulness practices with traumatized clients and Gary Yontef describes the four relationships in which a therapist is simultaneously engaged during couple therapy. Brian O’Neill investigates the use of field perspective in family therapy and Sean Gaffney outlines Gestalt with groups using a contemporary reconsideration of the work of Kurt Lewin.
Bar-Yoseph Levine includes an epilogue which contains two articles. The first concerns ethics and ethical behavior by Ernst Kniff which suggests shifting the focus from rules to awareness. Phillip Lichtenberg describes the cultural aspect of Gestalt theory in our everyday conversations, especially where strong feelings come into play in discourse about politics and religion.
Gestalt Therapy: Advances in Theory and Practice is a comprehensive and thoughtful exploration of Gestalt theory and practice written by a diverse group of contemporary thinkers. This collection is a brave and honest examination of Gestalt therapy which seems to fulfill the editor’s wish to take the “now” into the “next.”
Levine, T. B. (Ed). (2012). Gestalt Therapy: Advances in theory and practice (Ed.). New York, NY: Routledge.
Review by: Teresa Siegle Prevatte, Wake Forest University.
The Professional Counselor Journal
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Jan 9, 2013 | Book Reviews
In David Capuzzi and Mark Stauffer’s most recent edition of Career Counseling: Foundations, Perspectives, and Applications, they provide a holistic, comprehensive, insightful, interesting and highly organized (e.g., individual chapter outlines) resource for graduate students and professionals working in the career and mental health counseling fields. Furthermore, the title of this publication accurately describes its purpose, contents and overall themes. For example, the authors provide an extensive historical background on the foundation of career counseling and explain how socio-cultural, economic, and technological changes have influenced current theory and practice. Similarly, the textbook is filled with assessment tools, clinical techniques, case studies, practical examples, and visual guidelines on how to assist special populations (e.g., individuals with disabilities). In addition to the author’s clear writing style, ability to define key terms, and inclusion of helpful sidebars, the text demonstrates the importance of integrating career and mental health concerns.
The second edition includes eighteen chapters and is organized using the following three sections: (a) foundations for career counseling, (b) skills and techniques, and (c) contextual perspectives on career and lifestyle planning. The initial chapters provide a historical overview, describing theoretical foundations and emphasizing a holistic perspective. One useful chapter discusses the need for multicultural and social justice competence while another chapter reviews ethical, legal and accreditation standards. Topics related to conducting individual and group assessment, utilizing technology in practice, creating career action plans, implementing and designing career programs, and engaging in supervision are addressed over five chapters. Finally, the remaining chapters focus on career and lifestyle planning for specific populations (e.g., middle school students; dual-career families; drug users).
Incorporating contributions from more than thirty-five experts in the counseling, career, school, and social work disciplines, Capuzzi and Stauffer provide comprehensive information that was empirically supported and highly applicable to current trends in the career counseling field (e.g., dual career couples). Furthermore, this text included powerful statistics that concurrently ensured the depth, breadth, and currency of all sources cited. Also, descriptive case studies (e.g., chapter 6), additional website links (e.g., chapter 9), and visual graphs and tables (chapter 15) are used throughout the textbook to enhance clarity and understanding among its audience. Additional strengths are related to the addressing of gaps within the literature describing special populations, such as integrating principles of personal and career counseling with anxiety, and depression that often interfere with making career decisions. Similarly, Capuzzi and Stauffer note how career theories (e.g., Hershenson’s model of work adjustment) can be used for individuals with disabilities who present with poor self-concept. Finally, the authors adequately address the multiple roles of career counselors (e.g., consultants, practitioners, and program managers) and how to use strategic planning when developing career programs.
While Capuzzi and Stauffer’s textbook included numerous strengths, the publication was not without some limitations. One area for improvement is expanding content and information displayed in the sidebar sections. For example, potential answers to questions could be included at the end of each chapter so that the reader can compare responses. While talking about social justice, access and equity, it would be beneficial to discuss cost-effective service delivery models that can be used when working with clients seeking services. Finally, adding examples, role plays or additional information could have strengthened the supervision chapter.
In summary, Career Counseling: Foundations, Perspectives, and Applications (2012) demonstrates how theory can be translated into practice. It represents a comprehensive and valuable resource that significantly contributes to the field of career and mental health counseling. Whether for first-year graduate students or advanced professionals in the field, this text will serve as a useful resource that can be used across a variety of client populations and presenting concerns.
Capuzzi, D. & Stauffer, M. (2012). Career counseling: Foundations, perspectives, and applications (2nd Ed.) New York, NY: Routledge.
Review by: Mary-Catherine McClain, Florida State University Career Center.
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Jan 9, 2013 | Book Reviews
In addition to tugging on my heartstrings, Devastating Losses: How Parents Cope with the Death of a Child to Suicide or Drugs captivated my clinical quest for knowledge. The authors combined personal stories of survivors who lost children to suicide or drug related deaths with a profundity of solid quantitative research and clinical experience. This book begins with the personal journey of two of the authors who experienced the suicide of their own son and explores their devastations, emotional struggles, and the healing processes they encountered. The authors have published multiple research articles in leading journals such as Death Studies, Omega: Journal of Death & Dying, and Illness, Crisis, and Loss. This prior research served as the underpinning to the intensive research that was performed to produce this pinnacle publication.
The book is organized into three main sections. In section I, the authors explore the specific characteristics of the trauma of losing a child to suicide or drugs. There is difficulty and pain in the death of a child no matter the cause; however death that results from self-infliction generates an entirely unique experience for survivors. Bereaved parents of children who have died as a result of suicide or drugs often encounter stigmatization as opposed to parents who have lost children to purely accidental or natural deaths. The stigma is usually very subtle and is many times conveyed by family members and significant others. This can be very painful for survivors and can complicate the grieving process. By understanding the distinctive experiences of these bereaved parents, clinicians can develop empathy and awareness of the many facets that often complicate the grieving process for survivors.
Section II includes specific resources that will help parents who have experienced a death of a child due to self-inflicted trauma. The usefulness of commonly employed help-seeking activities such as support groups, mental health/bereavement counseling sessions, clergy meetings, and psychic visits is explored in this section. Data from both early and later years after losing a child is included. The studies of long-term resources, which include supportive services after 10 years are not well-researched according to the authors, which lends to another added benefit of the book. This section offers a review of resources based on the voices of the research participants that will help clinicians make well-informed referrals to enhance quality treatment.
In section III, the authors investigate the impact of a child’s traumatic death on married couples. In addition to the exploration of the marital relationship, gender differences in how men and women react to a violent death of a child are studied. When married couples experience the death of a child to suicide or drugs, relational patterns are challenged by the presence of grief and other complicated factors. Many times marriages dissolve when a traumatic loss of a child is encountered and understanding the ways that males and females process grief and experience healing can be very therapeutic for a couple. This section is designed to help men and women develop a cultural understanding of their individual grief patterns and develop cohesion rather than dissonance in a marriage experiencing the death of a child.
This book is written through a personal and professional lens which provides hope to both healing parents and clinicians. For clinicians, school counselors, or mental health professionals, this book provides an option of treatment based on evidenced based research. In addition, service providers can feel confident that they are operating from a research-based and humanistic framework to nurture clients through the trauma of dealing with the devastating loss of a child.
Feigelman, W., Jordan, J.R., McIntosh, J.L., & Feigelman, B. (2012). Devastating losses: How parents cope with the death of a child to suicide or drugs. New York: Springer.
Review by: Jane Hale, Slippery Rock University.
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Dec 9, 2012 | Video Reviews
Dr. Sue Johnson came onto the family therapy radar screen in the early 1980s when she, along with Les Greenberg, developed a short-term, structured therapeutic approach to working with couples which emphasized emotion as the key organizer of behavior patterns and thus intimacy. Johnson’s concept was “radical” especially in the heyday of Salvador Minuchin and Jay Haley. Yet, not only did Johnson formulate a theory that combined Carl Rogers and John Bowlby’s ideas along with systemic theory, she did extensive research on her model as well – Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT).
The first disc of this two-part film features an interview with Johnson and the producer of the video, Victor Yalom. Johnson emphasizes adult attachment theory and how EFT allows people to send clear emotional signals to their partners. Such articulation is the opposite of shutting down or becoming angry and creates a strong bond between partners. The result is not only a more secure relationship between individuals in a couple relationship, but greater independence of each individual.
Johnson states that the EFT therapist must first look at the “dance” of couples stuck in non-productivity, and especially the emotional consequences of their actions. A main focus of the therapist is to help couples understand their emotions and change them so they can ask for what they need and negative cycles of communication can be broken while positive ones are built. Johnson emphasizes the collaborative nature of EFT and its three stages: 1) deescalation, 2) creation (of a positive cycle of emotional involvement), and 3) consolidation. She stresses that there are “softer emotions” behind harsher feelings, such as anger (e.g., hurt) and couples need to access these softer feelings. The final part of the first disc involves Johnson consulting with a family counselor dealing with a couple who are reactive, angry, anxious, controlling, withdrawn and estranged from each other. She has a collaborative and humorous yet serious style of consultation and like Virginia Satir is an excellent communicator. Her points are clear, insightful and well taken. The second disc in this set involves Johnson working directly as an EFT therapist with the couple she earlier consulted. She does voiceovers to explain what she is doing. This aspect of the video adds significantly to the viewer’s learning as does the final wrap-up Johnson does with Yalom on what happened in the session. Johnson shows in her couples counseling the essence of EFT, especially the techniques of reframing, amplifying, empathy and enactment.
Overall, Emotionally Focused Therapy in Action is a well-produced, informative and humanizing view into an extremely important couple’s treatment that has research proven results. Its major drawback is its greatest strength: it is long (3 hours, 33 minutes). Its thoroughness gives Johnson an opportunity to demonstrate her approach at its best. Yet because of length, this production is not appropriate for use in most academic settings unless it is used outside the classroom and later discussed or critiqued.
Psychotherapy.net (Producer). (2011). Emotionally focused therapy in action [DVD]. Available from http://www.psychotherapy.net/video/johnson-emotionally-focused-therapy
Reviewed by: Samuel T. Gladding, NCC, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC.
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Dec 9, 2012 | Video Reviews
The video Child Therapy: Case Consultation with Dr. Violet Oaklander offers the viewer many important considerations to have in mind while working with children. Through the combination of Gestalt and expressive arts techniques, this renowned therapist guides the consultant into creative ways to accomplish their work. The process of supervision also is visibly demonstrated in the video. Three cases are presented and through the dialogue the advantages of supervision are exposed.
Oaklander’s film offers a number of stimuli that emphasize important aspects of therapeutic work with children. Special attention is drawn to the fact that children speak through actions much more than they do through words. The cases provide evidence that what children share about their lives is often not consistent with their realities. The importance of facilitating emotional expression through play and other artistic or creative means also is stressed. Following along this line, it is stated how simply letting children become aware of their feelings is not enough. Dr. Oaklander highlights the importance of taking as much time as necessary to establish a significant relationship as the basis for the therapeutic process. Yet, she also affirms that sometimes it is necessary to be somewhat directive so that conflicts are actually addressed.
Three cases are presented in the video. In the first case Sue, the supervisee talks about an 11 year-old boy whose parents are divorced and who has behavioral problems in school. Issues concerning the separation of parents, secret-keeping, expression of anger and feelings of loneliness are explored. The second case involves a six year-old biracial girl who has been in foster care half of her life. This client presents “significant behavioral problems” as well. Amy, her counselor, has been asked to facilitate the reunification of this client with her biological mother. In the third case, Cathy presents the case of an 11-year-old boy molested at age 4. His mother is worried about how this past event may affect his transition into puberty.
The supervision of the three cases, provided by Dr. Oaklander, sheds light not only on the specifics of these cases, but on the processes of working with children in general. Dr. Oaklander’s guidance demonstrates how the supervisor facilitates the counselor’s attention to mindfulness while at work. Being fully present is crucial to identify and understand the child’s feelings so that the best interventions and techniques may be chosen. Her comments stress the importance of being flexible to ensure therapeutic tasks are carried out, while trying to avoid pushing the client too much towards the counselor’s agenda. As a supervisor, she blends theory, practice, and her own experience to enrich the viewing of the cases and to suggest interventions, while respecting the counselor’s personal views and their therapeutic judgments of cases. Her interventions clearly demonstrate the respect a supervisor must have towards clients, counselors and the processes. Dr. Oaklander shares with the viewer that she normally uses the expression, “I don’t fix kids” when she sees children in the first session with their parents. She then clarifies that her work simply makes them feel better about themselves rather than change their nature. “I don`t fix counselors” would suit her, too. For not only do children find in her a strong advocate, but also supervisees receive effective feedback that allows them to better understand their clinical processes and the work they are carrying out.
Psychotherapy.net (Director). (2011). Child therapy: Case consultation with Dr. Violet Oaklander [DVD]. Available from https://www.psychotherapy.net/video/gestalt-child-therapy
Reviewed by: María Amparo Oliver-Garza, Asociación Mexicana de Orientación Psicológica y Psicoterapia, A.C.
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