Essential Psychotherapies, Second Edition: Contemporary Theory and Practice [Hardcover]

Alan S. Gurman Phd (Editor), Stanley B. Messer PhD (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1572307668 | ISBN-13: 978-1572307667 | Publication Date: July 25, 2003 | Edition: Second Edition

Comprehensive and user-friendly, this widely adopted text presents systematic expositions of the 12 most important forms of psychotherapy being practiced today. Covering traditional treatments as well as influential models that have been developed relatively recently, the volume gives students and practitioners a solid grasp of foundational theories and methods. Eminent authorities describe their respective models in unusually coherent chapters to facilitate easy comparison of basic theoretical and practical concerns. Each chapter also includes a detailed case illustration that brings key concepts to life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Gurman and Messer have achieved a small miracle in Essential Psychotherapies: a comprehensive and intellectually rigorous edited volume that is readable to the point of fascination. The revised edition, with its inclusion of postmodern and marital approaches and its sensitivity to current scientific, cultural, political, ethical, and clinical realities, is the best source I know of for an overview of the sprawling, quixotic project of psychotherapy as it has emerged over the last century. Readers will be challenged to transcend their personal biases--and those of their teachers--as they appreciate each thoughtful chapter by cutting-edge scholar-clinicians."--Nancy McWilliams, PhD, Rutgers--The State University of New Jersey

"In this revised edition, Gurman and Messer have successfully navigated into the waters of postmodernity without sacrificing the traditions that have guided psychotherapy for over a century. Written with a high level of sophistication yet following a consistent format, the chapters will be equally useful to experienced therapists and researchers and to students just entering the field. Authors blend theory, practice, and research, honoring philosophical origins as well as empiricism. Of particular note, the inclusion of case illustrations that are not 'star' cases provides useful insights into how therapists strive to understand and treat their clients within each modality, and demonstrates the importance of case conceptualization and theoretical coherence."--Bruce E. Wampold, PhD, ABPP, Department of Counseling Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison

"This second edition of Essential Psychotherapies builds on a standard of excellence established in the first edition. Providing a fundamental overview of core approaches to treating individual and relational disorders, the volume brings order and reason to the literally hundreds of specific techniques espoused in the literature. Like its predecessor, the second edition takes a scholarly approach to both theory and practice, insightfully integrating clinical wisdom with empirical findings. For novice clinicians seeking a conceptual foothold, as well as experienced therapists eager to expand their skill in integrating interventions from diverse theoretical perspectives, this is an indispensable resource."--Douglas K. Snyder, PhD, Department of Psychology, Texas A&M University

"Increasingly, practicing clinicians find it necessary to integrate ideas from different theoretical approaches. This second edition of a widely respected work is truly 'essential' for clinicians who value the contributions from psychodynamic, existential, cognitive-behavioral, experiential and postmodern theory. Each chapter is written in a clear and useful style, with many insightful and practical ideas addressing the complex realities of clinical practice. This volume will be especially valuable for graduate students interested in the scope of clinical theory and practice, as well as experienced clinicians who recognize the limitations of taking only one approach. Gurman and Messer have once again given us an excellent volume with wide-ranging vision."--Robert L. Leahy, PhD, President, International Association for Cognitive Psychotherapy; Director, American Institute for Cognitive Therapy

"Essential Psychotherapies is a valuable core text for our psychiatric nursing graduate students. The book's comprehensive description of major theory-based approaches to psychotherapy provides a basis for evidence-based practice. The integration of case study examples, therapeutic strategies, and ethical implications is unique, and careful editing makes the text highly readable."--Elizabeth Arnold, PhD, APRN/PMH, University of Maryland School of Nursing

"I selected Essential Psychotherapies as the primary text for my graduate course on theories of psychotherapy because of the depth, accuracy, detail, and consistency of topic coverage. By tapping the skills of noted contributors to each of the theoretical approaches, and using a common outline for each chapter, Gurman and Messer have produced a text that stands out among the competition for its overall coherence and usefulness as a basis for comparative discussion. My students who have taken the class as academic preparation for applied clinical practice have found this text to be practical and comprehensive. Especially useful is the inclusion of contemporary approaches and specific chapters on marital, brief, and integrative interventions."--Denise D. Davis, PhD, Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University

"Essential Psychotherapies is the perfect choice for my undergraduate class, 'Psychotherapy: Models and Methods.' It provides comprehensive, cogent, state-of-the-science reviews of mainstream treatment approaches and schools of psychotherapy, written by clinical scientists who are at the vanguard of the profession."--Steven Lynn, PhD, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University, SUNY

"Increasingly, practicing clinicians find it necessary to integrate ideas from different theoretical approaches. This second edition of a widely respected work is truly 'essential' for clinicians who value the contributions from psychodynamic, existential, cognitive-behavioral, experiential, and postmodern theory. Each chapter is written in a clear and useful style, with many insightful and practical ideas addressing the complex realities of clinical practice. This volume will be especially valuable for graduate students interested in the scope of clinical theory and practice, as well as experienced clinicians who recognize the limitations of taking only one approach. Gurman and Messer have once again given us an excellent volume with wide-ranging vision."--Robert L. Leahy, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Weill Medical College of Cornell University

About the Author

Alan S. Gurman, PhD, is Professor of Psychiatry and Director of Family Therapy Training at the University of Wisconsin Medical School. He has authored or edited a number of highly acclaimed books, including [i]Clinical Handbook of Couple Therapy[/i] and [i]Theory and Practice of Brief Therapy[/i]. A past editor of the [i]Journal of Marital and Family Therapy[/i] and past president of the Society for Psychotherapy Research, Dr. Gurman is a pioneer in the development of integrative approaches to marital therapy, and has received numerous awards for his contributions to the family therapy field. He practices psychotherapy in Madison, Wisconsin.

Stanley B. Messer, PhD, is Professor II and Dean of the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology at Rutgers University. He is coauthor of [i]Models of Brief Psychodynamic Therapy: A Comparative Approach[/i] and coeditor of several volumes, including [i]Theories of Psychotherapy: Origins and Evolution[/i], [i]History of Psychotherapy: A Century of Change[/i], [i]Hermeneutics and Psychological Theory[/i], and [i]Psychoanalytic Therapy and Behavior Therapy: Is Integration Possible?[/i]. Dr. Messer has also written many articles on psychotherapy integration, brief psychodynamic therapy, and evidence-based practice, among other topics, and has conducted empirical research on the process of psychotherapy. He was Associate Editor of [i]American Psychologist[/i] and is currently Associate Editor of the online journal [i]Pragmatic Case Studies in Psychotherapy[/i]. Dr. Messer practices psychotherapy in Highland Park, New Jersey.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 580 pages
• Publisher: The Guilford Press; Second Edition edition (July 25, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572307668
• ISBN-13: 978-1572307667
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #649,488 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Bought for particular article but overview of field helpful, November 8, 2007

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DrExistingMindfully (IL, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Essential Psychotherapies, Second Edition: Contemporary Theory and Practice (Hardcover)

I bought the book for Kirk Schneider's article but found that this was a good book to provide a basis as well as references for other therapies. Kirk's new book is out and you can buy it on Amazon as well if you want to know more about existential humanistic psychology