Human Change Processes: The Scientific Foundations of Psychotherapy [Hardcover]

Michael J. Mahoney (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0465031188 | ISBN-13: 978-0465031184 | Publication Date: February 25, 1991 | Edition: 1

The mystery of how, when, and why people change lies at the heart of the therapy process. Many authors have given shape to different pieces of the puzzle. Here at last is a book that provides the integrative framework within which these pieces can fit together.Why is it so difficult for people to change? What can be done to maximize the chances for success? To answer these questions, this sweeping book travels across a vast intellectual terrain, encompassing the history of ideas about human nature, developments in the cognitive sciences, artificial intelligence, evolution, psychobiology, developmental psychology, theories of emotion, the psychology of self, and more. The author then applies the theory to practice, drawing on his wide personal experience with hundreds of clients ”in transition” to outline a model of significant change. Mahoney identifies common themes and experience patterns associated with dramatic change, emphasizing the role of emotionality and cognitive processes, and challenging long-revered notions about thinking and feeling.Here is an important work that will point researchers in new directions, will help practicing therapists adapt theoretical concepts to helping patients change, and will make fascinating reading for anyone exploring his or her own life journey.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Michael J. Mahoney, Ph.D., is professor and director of Clinical Training in Psychology at the University of North Texas. The author of twelve other books and numerous scientific articles, Dr. Mahoney helped pioneer the ”cognitive revolution” in psychology. Honored by the American Psychological Association as a Master Lecturer in Psychotherapy Process, Dr. Mahoney was elected Fellow in the American Association for the Advancement of Science ”for significant theoretical and empirical contributions to the understanding of basic processes in human psychological development and psychotherapy.”

Product Details

• Hardcover: 608 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books; 1 edition (February 25, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0465031188
• ISBN-13: 978-0465031184
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.6 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #440,489 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Comprehensive Overview -- at least!, February 23, 2001

By 

Dr. Rosemary Bannon Tyksinski "www.rosemarys-... (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Human Change Processes: The Scientific Foundations of Psychotherapy (Hardcover)

Mahoney has written a comprehensive overview of the cognitive revolution in psychology -- at the very least. He provides clear timelines of philosophical, theoretical, and empirical events that put this complex history in clear context. The writing is "thick" while managing to be accessible to even a beginner (if highly motivated) who is trying to make sense of the complexities of the field of cognitive psychology. He goes on to develop a rationale for the development of what is now known as cognitive constructivism -- of which he is a seminal thinker. His rationale and theory development are logical, well constructed, heavily referenced, and inspired. After laying the historical, theoretical, and empirical groundwork, Mahoney provides examples of how this theory is applied to clinical practice. This work is a gem. It is truly worth the energy and investment necessary to read and absorb it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Phenomenal overview of psychotherapeutic process..., January 26, 2012

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Technobliss (NV USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Human Change Processes: The Scientific Foundations of Psychotherapy (Hardcover)

I am logging on mainly to supplement the other review here. I agree whole-heartedly, yes, Dr. Mahoney does an awesome job covering cognitive perspectives, but wanted to add that it's only ONE perspective covered- indeed, Mahoney is at his core a humanist, important in the psychotherapy integration movement. I read this when I was studying to be a therapist many years ago, and still refer to it- invaluable. At the time, the cognitive approach was the new kid on the block, and vying with strictly behavioral approaches (as I remember), so I believe Mahoney was "giving equal time" to cognitive approaches, but he puts them all in well-balanced perspective. Few have done as good a job covering human change processes in a comprehensive way, beginning with seating them in their historical contexts, and eventually addressing them from both the perspective of client change and the therapist's process (including his/her belief systems and their impact).

Mahoney does a phenomenal job of laying the groundwork for therapists to conduct eclectic practice, to shift perspectives/ approaches as needed. Many perspectives are explained- constructivist, experiential, psychodynamic, behavioral, contextual, many more. In my experience most training programs favor one approach over others (usually cognitive), and do the budding therapist a disservice, because any single approach is limited/ narrow in scope and application (if you don't know that you REALLY need to read this book). This book remedies that. Mahoney is equally comfy inside and outside the box, and his writing is lively and interesting from start to finish!