Customer Reviews

Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy, Sixth Edition

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Chapters are:

-Counselor characteristics and practice: This was useful for me since I haven't yet practiced

- Ethics: Unfortunately, you have to get the student manual to see the ethical standards of the various prof. organizations.

- Psychoanalitic

- Adlerian

- Existential

- Person-centered

- Gestalt

- Reality

- Behavior

- Cognitive-Behavior

- Family Systems

- Last section ties it all together

Each chapter on an approach starts with a bio on its main proponent, hits key concepts, describes the theraputic process, techniques and who it applies to. A token section of its application to multiculturalism (the author obviously doesn't live in Hawaii where the White European culture is a minority! [grin]) The author then critiques the method for its positive and negative points and tells how he incorporates it. I found this last very useful. There are from 3 to 6 books suggested for furthur in depth study (very useful!) and an extensive bibliography at the end of each chapter (for you grad students like me who have to write papers!)

Advantages - Very interesting. Lots of information. I like the personal comments on real life usefulness. I would have like more exact techniques (what to do, questionaires referenced, tests etc) but some of these are found in the student manual.

Disadvantages - DENSE! This is not an easy read. I notice that most psych articles and books use such complicated language - some of it is precise jargon but some of it isn't necessary. Also, it doesn't treat Transactional Analysis.

Student Manual - You probably should get this (see my review of it)

Overall: very useful. I'm glad it was required for my class. It is a keeper.

This is a very valuable resource that I know I'll use repeatedly when I begin my practice. While the medical model structure sometimes gets a little wearisome (with repeated information), overall the book is easy to read, thorough, and complete. I read the whole book, even the sections that were unassigned for the counseling theories class I was taking. How often does a text book make a student want to read it all? The on-line quizzes were also helpful. This is an excellent choice for a theories text.

Corey does a wonderful job detailing several perspectives of psychotherapy: psychoanalytic, Adlerian, existential, person-centered, Gestalt, reality, behavioristic, cognitive-behavioristic, systemic, and an integrational perspective. This book is "heady" at points, but it does offer valuable insight into the field of therapy. This book is a must-read for beginners in the field. Another plus is the mention of existential thought as field of psychotherapeutic thought. Some texts do not include this important school. The text is neatly organized into standard sections. The only drawback is the lack of color and variety.

Corey's text is an essential text for those wishing to enter the counseling/therapy field. It is well-written, easily accepted by students, and covers the most important psychological theories in mental health. There has been an expansion of the family therapies chapter and chapters on ethics and counselor characteristics are outstanding. This book is used throughout Counselor Education and Mental Health training. I recommend it highly as the best overview for beginning and graduate students in the helping field.

This is a good book, but edition six is MUCH better. In edition five chapter 3 is too long and repetitive. Corey has also added a separate chapter on feminist theory in the new edition, which I think is important. If you can't afford the new edition, this edition does have great info, in-depth bibliographical info and is well laid out.

This book is an outstanding resource for seasoned therapists as well as those new to the work. One of the most unique parts of this book is the way it takes one case study and uses it to illustrate how each of the different perspectives would approach the same problem. This technique is far more effective than using different case studies to illustrate different techniques. The book also gives very detailed explanations of the perspectives, a little bio of the perspective founder, and also provides information on how to use the perspective in today's world. Another unique factor is that the book provides seperate sections within the chapters to explain the the role of the client and therapist. Of all the books I own this is the most comprehensive book that illustrates how each perspective contributes to each other, how they are similar, and how they are different, while demonstrating how a therapist can use each theory.

If anyone thinks that this book concern only to students in the counseling field i shall tell: you are mistakenly wrong. This book really helps bringing out hidden realities of our lives that we do not get used to accept. In my own particular case it made me faced some realities that had deep roots years back, to say my childhood. This is worth the hundred dollars. Do not hesitate buying it. If you do not like any of the philosophical points of any given theory you will probably like the other one of the next chapter and so on......The chapter describing the life cycle is extra excellent...well the hell incredible.....the best you know which cycle you are in the better prepared for future stages in life the better the chances of not getting absorbed by depression. Worth the price, worth the time....RJ...el conejito (the rabbit).

The book is very explanatory. It breaks down the theories adequately. It is also simple to read and does not contain heavy psychotherapy jargon.

This book provides a useful account of the most influential theories of psychotherapy. I appreciated the evaluations including criticisms of each form of therapy as well as the demonstrations of applying the techniques of each therapy. I also enjoyed the biographical information provided for the most influential individuals in each type of therapy.

-Lee J. Markowitz, Ph.D. Student in Clinical Psychology

One of the best overviews of theory and application for the beginning graduate student. You must also purchase the workbook that is written by the same author. Together, these two books are a wonderful introduction to therapy models with interesting applications that are truly useful.