Customer Reviews

Doing Psychotherapy Effectively

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I found Doing Psychotherapy Effectively to be a most readable discussion of the history of psychotherapy, and the research related to its effectiveness. The authors, who have extensive clinical knowledge, write in such a way that a broad audience can understand the place of psychotherapy in the contemporary care of patients. In addition, the book can be seen as a useful guide to those considering psychotherapy for themselves, as it presents objective findings in an easily digestable manner.

This book is in no way a polemic about psychotherapy. It is factual, clear and objective in the presentation of findings. For those interested in knowing more about the process of psychotherapy this book details the critical components of the psychotherapeutic process. I know of no other book that presents as clear a picture of the psychotherapeutic process. The book will have an appeal to both the lay person and the professional interested in psychotherapy. It can be used for training purposes as well for it presents interesting clinical material illustrative of the authors' findings.

The book reads quickly and you come away feeling that you have grasped a topic which can too often be difficult to comprehend.

Weissmark and Giacomo's book is an important step in bridging the gap between practicing clinicians and scientists researching psychotherapy. It recognizes the differences between these groups and provides an excellent synthesis of each perspective. The authors successfully convey a more complete understanding of the dynamics of psychotherapy and of the interpersonal relationship between therapist and patient. This works makes clear that successful elements in the therapeutic process are far from intuitive but can be identified and quatified. The book is an accessible and pragmatic work that offers a framework for measuring and understanding effective psychotherapy. Required reading for anyone practicing, researching, or attempting to better understand psychotherapy. Upper-division undergraduates and above.