Psychotherapy for Neuropsychological Challenges - Hardcover

Aniskiewicz, A. S.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0765703890 ISBN 13: 9780765703897

Publisher: Jason Aronson, Inc., 2007

Synopsis

This book is a unique and timely addition to the literature for it provides approaches for dealing with the cognitive and emotional consequences of common neurological diseases. There is growing awareness of the impact that psychological factors and the treatment of those factors have on the disease process itself. The attitude of mind and therapeutic strategies described in the book are informed by mindfulness-based acceptance and intervention approaches that are gaining increasing recognition. This work is the first to offer clinicians help with addressing the psychological aspects of severe neurological disorders.

About this title

About the Author:

Albert S. Aniskiewicz, Ph.D., ABPP is professor of psychiatry and neurology at Michigan State University. He is a diplomate in clinical psychology with the American Board of Professional Psychology, and a diplomate in assessment psychology with the American Board of Assessment Psychology. He is a fellow with the Academy of Clinical Psychology.

Review:

A book that takes us back to the future. As medicine travels with ever-increasing speed to discover the perfect biomedical cure for the many varieties of human illness, it moves further and further away from the impact that these illnesses have onthe human condition. The word suffering seems to have lost its original meaning and has come to imply that someone has this or that condition. Yet suffering is what brings patients to caregivers and each person suffers in a unique way that is entirelytheir own. The loss of control over one's body and one's actions causes one person to despair while another may become more determined than ever before. It is not the pill that ultimately makes the difference in a person's life or their suffering―it is what we as caregivers 'wrap' around it that does. This book is a tour de force. It is a true return to the biopsychosocial model that pioneers like George Engel spoke of fifty years ago. This book addresses not only the neuroanatomical and neuropsysiological deficits that stem from neurological illnesses, but also the impact of these deficits on the coping ability of the individual. This book tells us how to help the individual overcome these deficits and to develop effective coping strategi (Sumer Verma, M.D., director, Geriatric Psychiatry Education Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA; lecturer on psychiatry, Harvard Medical School;)

Psychotherapy is crucial for many neurologically impaired patients, who are emotionally devastated by their condition. Yet until now there has not been a source that the many psychotherapists not expert in neuropsychology could consult. Such a book had to await the rare writer who knows and cares about both fields, someone who could discuss psychotherapy with people suffering the effects of all the "neuropsychological challenges": traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, stroke, degenerative dementias, and other conditions. Al Aniskiewicz, a seasoned neuropsychologist and notably compassionate master psychotherapist, is that rare person. And Psychotherapy for Neuropsychological Challenges is a significant contribution that will be read gratefully by psychotherapists of every orientation and level of experience. In carving out new territory it will inevitably inspire new course offerings, thereby broadening the minds of young psychotherapists and widening the populations they serve. (Donnel B. Stern, Ph.D., editor, Contemporary Psychoanalysis)

This book provides a compelling argument for a mindfulness-based approach to psychotherapy with a challenging population―patients with neurological disorders and disability. It explains the essentials of typical disorders in a manner informative to both the general psychotherapist and the neuropsychologically initiated. It fills a need for a text that explores the interaction between personality, personal history, illness, disability, and the psychotherapeutic relationship. It does so in language that does not sacrifice clarity for the realistic complexity of people in life-changing circumstances. An instructive, humane, and greatly satisfying book. (Jeffrey E. Evans, Ph.D., clinical associate professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the Residential College, University of Mich)

This superbly written book offers a thoughtful and compassionate approach to the psychological treatment of patients with neurological disorders. Dr. Aniskiewicz has poignantly captured the struggles that such patients face each day, and he provides a unique perspective on how even the most devastating disabilities can also present opportunities for growth and personal fulfillment. This book is truly inspirational and I would highly recommend it to all health professionals treating patients with chronic medical conditions. (James Blumenthal Ph.D., ABPP, professor of psychology and neuroscience, Duke University Medical Center)

Aniskiewicz, in this tightly reasoned and well articulated book, offers a comprehensive framework for the rehabilitation and reengagement of such individuals. In this big, small book Aniskiewicz has masterfully crafted a novel text of broad and enduringappeal to clinicians of varied orientations and degrees of experience.... (PsycCRITIQUES)

Aniskiewicz, in this tightly reasoned and well articulated book, offers a comprehensive framework for the rehabilitation and reengagement of such individuals. In this big, small book Aniskiewicz has masterfully crafted a novel text of broad and enduringappeal to clinicians of varied orientations and degrees of experience. (PsycCRITIQUES)

A book that takes us back to the future. As medicine travels with ever-increasing speed to discover the perfect biomedical cure for the many varieties of human illness, it moves further and further away from the impact that these illnesses have on the human condition. The word "suffering" seems to have lost its original meaning and has come to imply that someone has this or that condition. Yet suffering is what brings patients to caregivers and each person suffers in a unique way that is entirely their own. The loss of control over one's body and one's actions causes one person to despair while another may become more determined than ever before. It is not the pill that ultimately makes the difference in a person's life or their suffering―it is what we as caregivers 'wrap' around it that does.This book is a tour de force. It is a true return to the biopsychosocial model that pioneers like George Engel spoke of fifty years ago. This book addresses not only the neuroanatomical and neuropsysiological deficits that stem from neurological illnesses, but also the impact of these deficits on the coping ability of the individual. This book tells us how to help the individual overcome these deficits and to develop effective coping strategies that help them recover their potential. Most importantly this book tells us not simply how to 'fix' things but how to help people heal. (Sumer Verma, M.D., director, Geriatric Psychiatry Education Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA; lecturer on psychiatry, Harvard Medical School;)

An engaging tapestry weaving philosophy, poetry and science that brings the reader closer to understanding the riddles of mind and brain through the eyes of those fighting to regain meaning and purpose as a function of neuropsychological challenges. (Antonio E. Puente PhD, professor of psychology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington)

In his introduction, Aniskiewicz states his intent to review the nature of several neuropsychological challenges and to offer guidance for treatment of these disorders. He succeeds at both in this inspiring volume, in which he explains multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, progressive dementias, and cerebrovascular disorders in terms that the average reader, with little neuropsychological background, can understand. For each disorder, Aniskiewicz explains the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical features, cognitive changes, and psychological and emotional challenges patients face. He then describes therapy using a mindfulness-based approach. Including many case examples illustrating the application of the technical and of mindfulness information, this is a powerful study of the application of mindfulness to a difficult and chronically challenged population. Summing Up: Recommended. (CHOICE)

Far from dogmatic, Aniskiewicz smartly weaves together a seamless integrative therapeutic stance borrowing the best elements of narrative, psychoanalytics, cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, and existential therapies to shape a comprehensive whole. (PsycCRITIQUES)

About this edition

• Publisher: Jason Aronson, Inc.
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0765703890
• ISBN 13: 9780765703897
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 188