Customer Reviews

Inside Out and Outside In: Psychodynamic Clinical Theory and Practice in Contemporary Multicultural Contexts

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The authors all teach at the Smith College School for Social Work, and this book developed from their lectures on biopsychosocial theories of development. Their students report that of all the books purchased during their graduate career, this is the one they refer back to most often. Well-chosen cases illuminate the theories, and issues of culture and gender are nicely integrated.

After a concise introduction, the authors describe in detail Drive Theory, Structural Theory, Ego Psychology, Psychosocial Ego Development, Object Relations Theory, The Theory of Self Psychology, and the Interpersonal School. This provides a solid foundation for the rest of the book, which moves to a chapter on Race and Culture, then Women. After this, a variety of psychopathologies are described in detail, with great attention to how ethnicity, culture, and gender play a role in the therapeutic process. The book contains a variety of clinical vignettes, is written intelligently, but without too much jargon, and is laid out concisely and clearly. I'm incredibly excited about this book, and know that I will be referring to it for a long time.

A beautifully written book examining mental illness from a wide range of psychodynamic thoeries. It is a book I know I'll refer back to for years to come. The writers present the complexities of mental illness in a detailed and accessable manner. If you work in the mental health field as a psychiatrist, psychologist, counselor, or social worker this book is a must for your library.

I ordered this book after it was listed as a suggested text on the syllabus in a Psychodynamic Theory course I was taking. I must say that this was by far the best investment I made this semester. Berzoff makes psychodynamic theory user friendly and an enjoyable reading experience. This book is a great companion to any psychodynamic theory text book and offers a different lens in which to view theory through. An absolute must have for any psychodynamic theory enthusiast.

It seems unfair to fault this work for being brief, but that's it's problem. The authors do a terrific job of describing (and evaluating) the contributions of Freud's students. One might wish for a slightly less politically correct assessment of certain theorists' contributions--certain writers date themselves, and don't need the authors to point out, quite so thoroughly, how they're dated. The organization of the book is very helpful--there are chapters on Ego Psychology, Object Relations, Self Psychology. Klein is very well and clearly explicated. There are two very helpful chapters at the end of the book on characterological disorders (one on Borderline, one on Narcissistic). I would have liked a little more on some of the people *I* find difficult, such as Lacan, Alice Miller, Julia Kristeva. But if you're looking for a highly intelligent and readable historiography of psychodynamics, this is the book for you.

This book is an excellent additional reader for post grad. psychology - particularly Therapeutic Styles. It has a strong leaning toward the psychodynamic schools of thinking, particularly: FREUD, SELF-PSYCHOLOGY,EGO & PSYCHOSOCIAL EGO DEVELOPMENT (Erikson) and has good critical views on Personality Disorders & depression. This was suggested as additional reading material - and I found it so beneficial - I bought the book!

As a graduate student in Social Work, I am finding this book to a very intelligent and comprehensive tool that is offering me new insights into our field. So, for those who are considering buying it for school or personal enrichment, please go ahead and give it a read. You won't be disappointed.

i have learned so much from this book about various aspects of human mind which were very complicated for me.
Awesome book

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Book arrived on time and was in the condition described by seller. Would use this seller again.