Escape from Babel: Toward a Unifying Language for Psychotherapy Practice (Norton Professional Books) (Hardcover)

by Barry L. Duncan (Author), Mark A. Hubble (Author), Scott D. Miller (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
W. Norton. Text on the universal truths of successful therapy: (1) respect for the client's point of view; (2) the importance of the therapeutic relationship; and (3) hope for the future. Maintains that all theories and models come second to these essential principles.

About the Author
Scott D. Miller, Ph.D., practices solution-oriented therapy in Chicago.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: W.W. Norton & Co.; 1 edition (December 17, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393702197
• ISBN-13: 978-0393702194
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #290,468 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What the world needs!, June 24, 2000

By	"booktraveler" (USA) - See all my reviews

I am especially glad to have stumbled upon Escape From Babel sooner rather than later in my career. In a most straightforward way it cuts to the chase about what it means to be a part of effective therapy; it reminds that clients (and their experiences) are nothing less than extraordinary when given the opportunity to have a role in their therapy; and it will encourage you to look again at the role of ethics in the profession. I encourage new and experienced therapists and therapists-in-training to absorb the messages in this book. Don't spend money on all the different "latest and greatest" technique books; this is a far more valuable investment!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent summary of brief, solution oriented psychotherapy., December 30, 1998

By	Jonathan Williamson (Boulder CO USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This excellent text for counselors, social workers and psychologists covers the rationale, value and techniques of highly effective brief therapies. It is full of interesting and useful case examples that make the challenge of brief therapy dialog easy to learn and implement. I not only use it myself, but have insisted that the entry level counselors that I supervise buy a copy and become familiar with the techniques it describes. Jonathan Williamson, MA, LPC

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Back to Basics., April 13, 2002

By	Dr. Z. "Joyfully Retired" (San Rafael, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This book, drawing on current research findings and the authors' extensive clinical experience, reminds us that it's not the hottest new techniques or the therapist's theoretical orientation that makes for effective therapy. When satisfied clients are asked what made the the difference, their most frequent answer is a meaningful encounter with a caring, responsive human being whom the client felt understood his concerns and validated his strengths and resources. Many of us in the helping professsions seem to need this reminder. Phillip Ziegler, co-author of Recreating Partnership: A Solution-Oriented, Collaborative Approach to Couples Therapy.