How Psychotherapy Works: Process and Technique [Hardcover]

Weiss. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 20, 1993 | ISBN-10: 0898625483 | ISBN-13: 978-0898625486 | Edition: 1

In this volume, the author presents an enlightened theory of psychotherapy which has broad implications for the understanding of human behavior. His theory is distinctive in its emphasis on concepts that Freud developed in his late works concerning the patient's cognition and problem?solving activities to his power unconscious. The theory derives its clinical power from its empirical origin, closeness to observation, and from Weiss' cogent exposition of how to infer, from history and behavior, what the patient is trying to accomplish and how the therapist may help. Weiss develops the implications of his theory for technique and includes numerous clinical examples to illustrate concepts. This text is aimed at psychiatrists, psychologists, and clinicians in the field of mental health.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Patients come to psychotherapy hoping to get better and look to therapists to help them feel safe by disconfirming conscious pathogenic beliefs. Here we have what seems like a remarkably simple idea. But what is revolutionary and most startling, Weiss's theory has been empirically tested and validated. Weiss ranges from his broad conceptualization of motivation and pathogenesis to the microanalysis of the clinical exchange. He demonstrates the impact of psychotherapy is in the effect of interventions, not on the intent or "purity" of technique. Reading HOW PSYCHOTHERAPY WORKS is a corrective educational experience." --Joseph Lichtenberg, M.D., Washington, D.C.

"This exciting and original book is a veritable treasure-house of practical understanding and clinical wisdom gained from Dr. Weiss's decades of psychoanalytic experience and amply supported by an impressive body of systematic research on the theories he has advanced. The lucidity and readability of this work is outstanding and should make this an excellent basic text for beginners in the field, as well as seasoned mental health practitioners.

According to Weiss's therapy, psychopathology stems from pathogenic beliefs formed mainly in childhood from traumatic relationships. Weiss's theory of therapy and technique follows directly from his concept of psychopathology. He views psychotherapy as a process in which the patient works to disconfirm his pathogenic beliefs with the help of the therapist. Patients are powerfully motivated to disconfirm these beliefs because they are maladaptive and grim, and they produce much mental pain. Weiss conceptualizes the therapist's basic task as being one of helping patients to disprove their pathogenic beliefs, particularly their unconscious pathogenic beliefs, and to help patients pursue the goals that have been blocked by these overwhelmingly disturbing ideas." --Theo. L. Dorpat, M.D., F.A.P.A., Seattle, Washington

"In HOW PSYCHOTHERAPY WORKS, Joseph Weiss offers an experience-near, relational, and rational approach to psychoanalytic therapy that is based on empirical research into the therapeutic process. A breath of fresh air in a field dominated by unsupported doctrine, this excellent text will serve as an invaluable guide to all students of psychotherapy." --Robert D. Stolorow, Ph.D., Training and Supervising Analyst, Institute of Contemporary Psychoanalysis

"....This highly original book is recommended reading for mental health professionals at all levels of training." --Theo L. Dorpat in The Psychoanalytic Quarterly

"This book is recommended for educators and practitioners wanting to understand and make use of a psychoanalytic approach sith clients." --David A. Jenkins, Ph.D., The American Journal of Family Therapy

"This book summarizes decades of clinical teaching, research, and study in a form that is readily accessible to the working psychoanalyst....The body of work presented is important and should be taken seriously." --Stephen F. Bauer, M.D., in Psychoanalytic Books

"This original and exciting book on psychotherapy process and technique should become, in a short time, the most outstanding book in the field of psychoanalytical technique and process....The readability of this eminently practical volume makes it required reading for mental health professionals at all levels of training and experience." --Theo L. Dorpat, M.D., in The Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Review

About the Author

Joseph Weiss is a training analyst at the San Francisco Psychoanalytic Institute, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California Medical Center in San Francisco, and Co-director (with Harold Sampson) of the San Francisco Psychotherapy Research Group. He received his baccalaureate degree from Harvard, his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati Medical School, and was trained in psychoanalysis at the San Francisco Psychoanalytic Institute, where he became a training analyst in 1962. He is also currently in private practice in San Francisco.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Guilford Press; 1 edition (August 20, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898625483
• ISBN-13: 978-0898625486
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #352,126 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tremendous, June 14, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: How Psychotherapy Works: Process and Technique (Hardcover)

Truly a master work by Weiss. This book is a must-read for any practicing clinician or student of psychotherapy. It adds an entire dimension to the psychotherapeutic process, one in which the therapist plays a significant role in changing the patient's beliefs through his or her interaction with the patient. The perplexities of therapy become understandable with the help of this essential text.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for those in therapy!, October 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: How Psychotherapy Works: Process and Technique (Hardcover)

This is a great book for those in therapy too. It explains transference, dream interpretation, testing your therapist ... and it explains the best way for the therapist to react to all that. So far it is the best book I have read on the subject. It really helped me to understand myself better.

5.0 out of 5 stars For the thoughtful therapist who values the relationship..., August 29, 2010

By 

A. Binder (VALLEJO, CALIFORNIA, US) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: How Psychotherapy Works: Process and Technique (Hardcover)

The beauty of this book is that it provides a cogent understanding of working dynamically with psychotherapy patients in a coherent, thoughtful manner, which is not dominated by psycho-babble, nor entirely determined by diagnostic labels, and that give one evidence that their sessions are "Working" or not so successful.

The ideas in How Psychotherapy Works, developed by Joe Weiss and Hal Sampson, at the San Francisco Psychotherapy Group, are empirically based and applicable to clinical work, whatever one's particular theoretical orientation. They are not technique oriented and provide for a highly individualized approach.

This theory as nicely detailed and discussed in How Psychotherapy Works, and puts the onus for progress on the therapist, especially for patient's who really want and need help. As with all therapies this empirically based model, known as Control Mastery theory is not simplistic, though it is very understandable, and sometimes maligned as being too "common sense oriented."

Best to understand the usefulness of your interventions and the nature of your individual patient's problems, than to regard problems and pathology as nearly "pre-determined" and motivated simly by drive reduction.

I highly recommend this book to students, beginning psychotherapists and the seasoned clinician. It will help your patients.