Customer Reviews

Effective Therapy

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"Effective Therapy" by Michael J Hurd covers the field of modern psychotherapy, but does so in an unusual way. It examines the field of modern psychotherapy and the differences that the different schools of therapy have, but explains these differences by reference to the underlying philosophic ideas that shape each of them, and shows how these ideas shape the judgments and therapeutic techniques used by professionals who embrace them. The book's goal is to make the reader a smart psychotherapy consumer by being conscious of the malicious philosophical ideas that influence much of the profession today. Each of the prevailing schools of psychotherapy is discussed at length, with the discussion focusing on the philosophical views presupposed by each and how these positions guide their views of the human mind and of what constitutes mental health, and the means to arrive at it. Anyone who doubts the power and influence of philosophy would be well advised to read this work.

The author embraces what he terms "cognitive" psychotherapy, which is the view that it is the ideas and assumptions a person holds - whether they are held consciously or not - that guide all of his thoughts, emotions and actions. Emotions, according to the author, are nothing more than the automatic result of value judgments that have been made, with these value judgments being guided by the fundamental philosophical views that a person has accepted. They key to mental health is the harmonizing of one's ideas and ones emotions. But in order to do this a person must consciously identify the ideas that he has accepted, a task that it is the job of the psychotherapist to help him with.

"Effective Therapy" presents a strong case against the opposing schools of psychotherapy and offers a good defense for the position it recommends. It is edifying with respect to not only the profession of psychotherapy but also with respect to the influence of philosophy on the sciences. Hence the title of this work, it provides the reader with the tools necessary to pursue effective therapy

Dr. Hurd has successfully navigated his way through all the nonsense that makes up today's psychology profession and presents a no-nonsense and very clear approach. Forget the whiners and the no-help social workers. He gives real solutions and real answers that work! Dr. Hurd challenges conventional wisdom on things like how to deal with alcoholism. He gives readers a whole new perspective about how to approach problems and how to *solve* them, not merely "get by" or "deal with it." Read this book *before* you consider therapy or some sort of self-help. This is the best starting point I've ever come across for mental health.

Today the therapy market contains a baffling arrary of philosophical and scientific schools. Anyone needing to select a therapist that is right for her will be daunted by the task. Michael J. Hurd, in his well-reasoned and clearly presented book, Effective Therapy, guides the reader through the various schools of thought and informs them of the benifits and pitfalls of each. But this book is not only for patients, students of psychology and therapists themselves will be greatly benefited by reading this book, not only will they more clearly understand the therapy styles and ideas behind all the schools of thought but may decide to rethink some of their own methods. A very comprehensive and clearly written book!

Karen Minto, editor Full Context

EFFECTIVE THERAPY is not just a handbook for the consumer seeking a competent therapist, though it shines brightly in that regard. It also presents an alternative view to the "PC" "worship of the mediocre" that is sweeping our country's schools and government. Dr. Hurd exposes several therapeutic avenues that (unwittingly or otherwise) play into this mistaken trend by encouraging the therapy client to not accept responsibility for his or her actions. EFFECTIVE THERAPY takes a long, hard, skeptical look at many of our traditional "sacred cows" such as AA, Feminism and Freudian Analysis. It's a great book, and, though it focuses mostly on therapeutic methods, it goes a long way to help the reader on his/her own...without the need for therapy at all. If you've ever considered searching for a good therepist, start with EFFECTIVE THERAPY.

As a person who has read and reviewed hundreds of self-help books, I must say that Mr. Hurd has created a wonderful work. Effective Therapy is designed for those who are emotionally troubled, but have not lost trust in the power of reason and optimism. He surveys the major psychology schools, critically analyzing each -- and then offers his own approach. His approach is marvelous. It focuses on providing useful, thoughtful tools and insights for those who wish to overcome their own emotional difficulties. Mr. Hurd acknowledges a large debt to the philosophy of Objectivism and its founder, Ayn Rand. He writes in the tradition of great respect for the importance of logical thought, real-world practicality, and the pursuit of happiness. His writing is easy to understand and remember. This is important. For only if you can recall the advice in a self-help book will it do you any good. Several cuts above the average tome on psychological healing. I hope to read more books by Mr. Hurd.

I just finished Dr. Hurd's book Effective Therapy and I love it. He eloquently put into words what I have been thinking for a long time...that therapists' individual issues that they "bring to the table" can affect their objectivity with their clients.
I really appreciate Dr. Hurd's insight, and this book has given me a "scorecard" I can use if and when I ever seek therapy or personal coaching.
After I finish this, I am buying his book "Grow Up America!" If it's anything like Effective Therapy, it'll be great.

Dr. Hurd's work is of incredible usefulness when seeking out a therapist. He looks at a few schools of thought on psychotherapy and rightly knocks them down-- and to my enjoyment, he does so by virtually mocking them. I have placed this book in the hands of a number of friends who were considering therapy and I am pleased that it resulted in positive results-- including saving the marriage of a couple who was going to a "bad therapist" and changed therapists as a result of reading this book. I can't recommend this book enough!

This book was very informative, clearly written, easy to understand, and gave me new insight into alternative approaches to therapy. Dr. Hurd is direct and to the point, which is a writing style that I enjoy and benefit from significantly when I need to get a new perspective and some new ideas. I learned alot from the book and would recommend it highly.

Dr. Hurd's book offers the prospect of fulfilling the important and little-addressed need for a consumer-guide to psychotherapy. The author introduces the reader to the seven features of psychotherapy that he considers are essential to effective therapy. He then introduces the reader to a handful of the most popular psychotherapy approaches (a now slightly dated list). The remainder of the book consists largely of critiques of these approaches. The lay reader and the psychotherapy consumer need and deserve a plain-speaking and critical discussion of these various approaches. Sadly, that discussion is not to be found here. In fact, what is to be found here is a playful batting around of a handful of straw-man effigies that stand (and easily fall) in the stead of their namesakes. The straw-men are lined up and knocked down several times over (with the same glee, one imagines, that a toddler takes in stacking blocks and knocking them down - over and over). By the end of the book one is left with a small battlefield strewn with mangled straw bodies. In the middle stands the author's victorious approach - strong and undaunted. The `consumer guide' has `guided' the reader to the only logical choice available - the author's approach. This reader has no interest in defending any particular approach, or in critiquing the author's approach. But it must be said that the author - who purports to place a high value on rational thinking and objectivity - forgoes any claim to providing the reader with an `objective' guide by engaging in the easy and empty exercise of pretending to critique various schools of psychotherapy when in fact what he critiques are reconstituted, popularly received definitions of these approaches. They are unflattering, clichéd and grossly oversimplified. It's too bad, since a `real' version of this book would be of real use to many people.