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Constructing The Self, Constructing America: A Cultural History Of Psychotherapy

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This book looks at American cultural history since the Civil War through the prism of historical changes in the field of psychotherapy--and at the same time puts psychotherapy in a historical context. It's simply the best cultural history of the US I've ever read. It traces the threads--primarily unbridled capitalism, rugged individualism, and the decline of the family and community--that have left us with the "empty self" which so many suffer from today. That is, a self that is depressed, anxious, psychosomatic, addicted--desperate to be filled up, by consumer goods, by peak experiences, by celebrity, by psychotherapy--without recognizing how much of our suffering comes from social change.

This is a fun and informative description of how history and psychology have influenced each other, resulting in a sense of self that shapes and is shaped by our culture. Many psychological approaches end up in navel gazing introversion. Cushman dispenses with these and paints a clear picture of history and psychology dancing together in an embrace that allows the self to be both a cultural artifact and a culture shaper. Ideas can change the world and Cushman's book is full of ideas that have changed history, for better or for worse. The combination of academic rigor, interesting anecdotal evidence and plain funny material are rare in a single volume. If you are tired of the standard psychological introspection, try this one for a refreshing perspective on the dynamics of history, culture and the self.

A fascinating, entertaining book. I cannot recommend Cushman highly enough! It is truly disappointing that book has been overlooked by the discipline of psychology. However, the reasons it has been are obvious once you read it. Cushman details how psychology ignores its basic assumptions (e.g., about the self, the nature of understanding) and consequently perpetuates the problems it seeks to allieviate. This is a central point -- psychology is elevating a notion of self (i.e., the empty self) that is only filled by psychotherapy, not "cured". For those who are willing to reflect on how the profession is influenced by moral presuppositions, and political and economic factors - this is a must read. Moreover - Cushman offers solutions. For those who know of this book -- it is a hidden classic.

I use this book as part of my "Politics of Psychology" course at Antioch University Los Angeles. Cushman provides a wonderfully idiosyncratic reading of the development of the discipline and practice of Psychology in the United States. Using a social constructionist lens he presents a strong argument intent on demonstrating the various ways in which economic, political and cultural concerns gave shape to the contemporary practice of psychology. Cushman's work is puncuated with interesting stories told in his warm and enriching style, but it also provides careful argument and analysis along the way.

I'm a Master's level student doing research with the influence of racism on the psychology of Black people. I found this book extremely enlightening. It was recommended to me by a professor and I haven't put it down yet!!! Great resource.

Constructing the Self, Constructing America is an excellent expose on the formation of modern psychotherapy. Cushman situates modern psychotherapy in its larger social-cultural history in order to show that 1. Psychotherapy is an evolving cultural artifact. As such, modern psychotherapy is far from being the platonic form of mind-science which many of its practitioners wish it to be. 2. Cushman argues that psychotherapy's view of the self, disease and healing has produced an "empty self" which has intensified the problems that psychotherapy has sought to solve. 3. Cushman believes that psychotherapy has inadvertently helped produce the consumerism (with all of is problems) one sees at the beginning of the 21st century. The book is easy to read. Cushman's sketches of people and movements keep the book interesting.