Customer Reviews

Why Some Therapies Don't Work: The Dangers of Transpersonal Psychology (Psychology Series)

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Albert Ellis is a profound figure in the field of psychology, considered one of the grandfathers of CBT. While I have learned a great deal from him and his theories, his understanding of the field of transpersonal psychology is uninformed.

Far from being a dangerous form of psychology, research has shown that transpersonal therapy is effective and healing. Transpersonal psychology branches out from the traditional approach in the modern culture of scientism and takes on the study and integration of human spirituality. The challenge for the field is that it lies within a paradigm shift that seeks to move away from a materialist paradigm of existence (see Ferrer). Within the transpersonal framework, Ellis' ideas of CBT are embraced and integrated into a larger framework. Whereas in many psychological fields, spirituality is considered either unimportant, extraneous or pathological, transpersonal psychologists seek to affirm the higher aspirations and search for meaning of human beings. Furthermore, they find that spiritual experiences may be a source of healing.

It is my hope that those who are interested in transpersonal psychology, will come to their own opinions as to its strengths and its dangers by reading texts that will offer a deeper and more informed presentation of the theory and practice of transpersonal psychology.

For those interested in a deep understanding of the field, try these sources:

Short but great overview:
Moss, D. (Ed.), Humanistic and transpersonal psychology: A historical and biographical sourcebook (pp. 192-209). The Chapter entitled Hastings, Transpersonal psychology: the fourth force by Arther Hastings.

The Textbook of Transpersonal Psychology and Psychiatry. Authors: Scotton, Chinen and Bastista.
(The best overview of all the different aspects of the field out there)

Paths Beyond Ego. Walsh and Vaughan.

Integral Psychology. Ken Wilber.

Jorge Ferrer. Revisioning transpersonal theory: a participatory vision of human spirituality. (More complex, but well worth it. This one is for lovers of philosophy and theory. Ferrer challenges the framework of Wilber's work, the classic relativism v. universalism argument).

It is a fascinating and powerful field. If you must read this book, PLEASE, check out some of the books I mention above about transpersonal psychology and decide for yourself!!!



(Note: as to the reviewer comment referencing transpersonal as a cult, it is interesting to know that by embracing the importance of spirituality and psychology, transpersonal theorists play a large role in understanding the psychology of cults (see the chapter in the textbook of transpersonal psychology regarding cults.)

I bought this book with high expectations based on Dr. Ellis's legendary stature in Psychology. But I was shocked by his incredible bigotry and ignorance of Transpersonal Psychologist (TP). He actually labeled the Ayatollah Khomeini, the Rev. Jim Jones, and Jehovah's Witnesses as TPs. Basically in his mind, every evil religionist who's ever lived is also a TP. He then based his criticism of TP on their actions, which makes for a tedious to read, lunatic rant that's totally out of touch with the real TP.

On page 64, he compared TP with "secular religionists" such as the Soviet Union and Communist China, and stated, "They (both) reason categorically and ardently support a we-they dichotomy." On this point, I completely agree with him. But what's amazing is that he's completely blind to the fact that this book reveals that he himself is a flaming bigoted, dogmatic secular religionist reasoning categorically and ardently supporting a we-they dichotomy, and projecting all his own garbage onto to TP.

The only reason I can think of why the great Albert Ellis made such a fool of himself in this book, is that he could see that TP really is the Psychology of the Future: Lessons from Modern Consciousness Research (Suny Series in Transpersonal and Humanistic Psychology), as Dr. Stan Grof entitled his excellent comprehensive overview of TP. And thus TP over turns his cherished materialistic world view, and diminishes his own contribution to Psychology.

I've actually been quite eager to criticize albert ellis for sometime now...
While his REBT contributes some bit to psychology, I agree in the review below in that transpersonal psychology greatly diminishes his contributions...I've read a reply to Ellis by Ken Wilber, and Wilber totally annihalated Ellis, not only did he make Ellis seem like one or those poor irrational rationalists, but it was quite entertaining to read, I actually read it again for an extra laugh....Anyhow I've seen some of Ellis's other books let me tell you , this guy could use with some transcending his ego, if there is enough room in the Kosmos to perform such a giant feat...Seriously these pop psychologists get me quite annoyed when they seem to be making books that absolutely SUCK for the extra buck. Get wisdom from one of the wisest psychologists today screams one of his books....He should know better than this, his stance only creates the well known dependency on the therapist known too well in the field, excepts instead of him it's on that thing with his giant picture on the front and pages in between he calls a book. It's explained quite well in Murray Bowen's family evaluation. Even more so he tries to tell others why some therapies don't work. The only way to find out is to try it for yourself. To listen to this guy would be quite "unscientific" indeed, and unwise. Who ever this guy's publisher is do us all a favor and please STOP, quickly, our environment can't take it anymore, the reviews and ratings should give a hint to the obvious, we shouldn't be chopping down trees only to produce garbage, so everyone please do our environment a favor and recycle. Thank you. :)

Albert Ellis, One of the most prolific writers of psychological self-help books (do an Author search on his name to see the breadth of his output) and the inventor of Rational Emotive Therapy, is a man who has zero patience or tolerance for the fuzzy, the vague, notions of the supernatural or dogmatism in any form. In this book he surveyed the writings of many people associated with, or known for promoting, Transpersonal Psychology (as of the late 80's). Over and over he finds them promoting "mysticism, occultism, supernaturalism, and religiosity," and say all of them, including the well-known Ken Wilber, "foster absolutistic and dogmatic thinking."

Ellis was a great man. he pulled aside the wizard's curtain once again, and showed us a few simple truths. and as to transpersonal psychology: garbage in garbage out. therapy based on "spirituality" (fantasy) may help sedate anxious clients,so that they say they were helped (to feel less fearful) , but it will not help them reach the higher potential of rational well-adjusted adult human beings.

Transpersonal psychology has worked wonders in my life. I wonder why such a renowned author would dis it. I think this book says more about Albert Ellis than about transpersonal psychology.

Albert Ellis skewers the cult of transpersonal psychology- perhaps the epitome of wishful-thinking, paranormal dogma-with his keen logic and famously rational viewpoint.

He begins by exploring the tenets of transpersonal psychology, then those of Rational-Emotive Therapy (RET). He then goes on to contrast the two, showing with well-documented precision just how transpersonal psychology can actually be hazardous and can lead to neurosis, including how it is anti-humanistic, sabotages scientific thinking, blocks philosophical therapeutic change, and interferes with unconditional self-acceptance.

Of course, there are some who will say that transpersonal psychology has worked "wonders" in their lives, but you can find supporters who will say the same thing about every crazy cult in existence (that's why they're called cults).