Group Therapy For Medically Ill Patients [Hardcover]

James L. Spira Institute for Health Psychology San Diego USA. (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1572301686 | ISBN-13: 978-1572301689 | Publication Date: February 14, 1997 | Edition: 1

Psychosocial support for medically ill patients is becoming an integral part of treatment in hospitals and clinics worldwide. This volume presents information and therapuetic models for a range of group interventions across a variety of life-threatening illnesses such as cancer, HIV/AIDS and coronary disease, as well as bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and substance abuse.; This book is aimed at mental health practitioners and students who work with medically ill patients, as well as researchers and medical professionals interested in how psychosocial intervention can ameliorate health-related problems.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...is a valuable resource for mental health professionals who provide group therapy services to patients in medical settings. ...this volume is a valuable contribution to a much neglected arena." --Beverly V. Currence, PhD, Readings

"The validity of psychosocial group therapy as a treatment modality for the medically ill has been established for a growing number of illnesses during the past decade. These psychosocial interventions have been shown to improve both physical health and quality of life either as stand alone regimens or as part of a comprehensive treatment package also involving pharmacological and/or surgical approaches. In the present volume James Spira has assembled several of the most innovative clinician-scientists, whose work on group-based psychosocial treatment of potentially devastating disorders has pioneered progress in this important area. The volume provides well-written, thoughtful accounts of major group therapy programs that have proved successful in treating patients with medical illnesses." --Neil Schneiderman, Ph.D., James T. Knight Professor of Psychology, Medicine and Psychiatry, University of Miami

"I was delighted to review the contents and overview of this text, since I believe there is no other book that is devoted to this topic. Indeed, and there are few books in health psychology at all that combine detailed clinical methodology with solid reviews of the relevant research literature.

"This book serves as an excellent example of the researcher-clinician model. Each author is an established clinician who has also clearly demonstrated the efficacy of the clinical methods for improving quality of life and physical health in patients. While certainly not exhaustive, the authors have been carefully selected to represent a range of effective approaches for a variety of illnesses and health-related behaviors.

"The clarity of writing and the in-depth coverage of the material found in this text make it stand out from other books in the area. The volume will serve as a basic comprehensive textbook in courses on health psychology, group therapy, and psychotherapy. In addition, it is of great value for the seasoned therapist, counselor, and educator. This is a 'must' for any psychotherapist who leads groups for persons with chronic illness or behavior disorders related to health." --Suzanne M. Miller, PhD, Director, Health and Coping Research Center, A Division of Fox Chase Cancer Center

"Various kinds of psychological therapy will eventually become routine in the treatment of chronic physical' illness. Spira's book is the first volume I have seen that is dedicated entirely to what is likely to be one of the chief modes--group psychological therapy." --Alastair J. Cunningham, Advances in Mind-Body Medicine

About the Author

James L. Spira, Ph.D., M.P.H, a licensed psychologist and educator, received his doctorate from the University of California at Berkeley, and post-doctoral training in psychiatry from Stanford University. The author of dozens of publications in health psychology, he has served on the faculty of Duke University, where he was director in the Program of Health Psychology. He is currently Director of the Institute for Health Psychology in San Diego, leads groups at Scripps Clinic and Research Institute, and is consultant for the American Psychological Association Group Psychotherapy demonstration project for women with breast cancer.

Dr. Spira is author of several books, including Treating Dissociative Identity Disorder (Guilford, 1996), and the upcoming Existential Psychotherapy for Illness and Loss (American Psychological Association Press, due late 1997).

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 335 pages
• Publisher: Guilford Press; 1 edition (February 14, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572301686
• ISBN-13: 978-1572301689
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,491,457 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book! It has helped me immensely., April 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Group Therapy For Medically Ill Patients (Hardcover)

This book has helped me immensely in my development of groups for cancer patients and patients with cardiovascular disease. I work in a hospital setting, as a health psychologist, and was unable to see all the patients individually that were being referred to me. After attending one of Dr. Spira's trainings, and reading his book, I was able to start several groups, which have been flourishing ever since! I keep going back to this book time and again for refresher tips. Every chapter is full of gems, and with my increased experience, I get more out of it every time I read it. I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK MOST HIGHLY!!!