Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy: An Integrative Approach

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1412910048 ISBN 13: 9781412910040

Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc, 2011

This text offers an extensive array of theories, including all the mainstream approaches as well as contemporary ones such as narrative, feminist, and post-modern. The author provides an integrative framework that allows students to assess the various theories with respect to possible clinical application. By comparing and contrasting the theories, as well as analyzing strengths and weaknesses of each, students will learn to apply them more flexibly in practice.

The book is divided into four major theoretical forces in psychotherapy and introductory sections are provided to help students place a particular theory within a major theoretical period. The four theoretical forces discussed are: (1) psychoanalytical and psychodynamic; (2) behavioral and cognitive school(s); (3) existentialism and humanism; and (4) social constructivism school of psychotherapy. The author discusses social constructivism and then describes at least five theoretical approaches within this theoretical force--solution-focused therapy, narrative therapy, strengths-based therapy, and so on.

About the Author:

Elsie Jones-Smith is a clinical psychologist, a licensed psychologist, a counselor educator, and the president of the Strengths-Based Institute, which provides consultation to schools and organizations dealing with youth experiencing challenges with violence, lack of a sense of purpose, and drug addiction. She is the developer of two theories in psychology: strengths-based therapy (SBT) and ethnic identity development; an article about this theory was featured as a major contribution to psychological research by The Counseling Psychologist in 1985. She is a member of the American Academy of Counseling Psychology, and a fellow in two divisions of the American Psychological Association, including Division 17 Counseling Psychology. She holds dual PhDs in clinical psychology and counselor education. She is the author of Strengths-Based Therapy: Connecting Theory, Practice, and Skills; Spotlighting the Strengths of Every Single Student; and Nurturing Nonviolent Children. Previously a professor at Temple University, Michigan State University, and Boston University, she has served on numerous editorial boards.

 

Review:

“The organization is absolutely beautifully direct and clear throughout all of the chapters I read. I was very pleased to see that the author kept a level of topic exploration, theory development, and application parallel throughout each one. The writing style is engaging and super informative. The material humanizes the theorist and their contribution in that time period. The case study of Justine was really consistently well done with appropriate treatment planning based on assessment and really well said evaluative elements.” (David K. Hollingsworth 2011-02-28)

“The content, order, organization and flow are well done and presented in a logical, easy-to-follow order. Well done! The history/background of each theorist is very well done, interesting and a great opening for each chapter.” (Jennifer L. Crissman Ishler 2011-02-28)

“Techniques, especially those presented in the chapters addressing behavioral and cognitive-behavioral approaches, are very practical. They can be demonstrated during a class session and can easily be practiced by students in a field-based setting.” (Trace Pirtle 2011-02-28)

“This is a well crafted product that has included the snippets, histories, time periods, and humanizing things I have collected over 25 years of teaching the course... It reads wonderfully well with the best mix of science, history, and academics I have seen. I think the author has produced an excellently crafted tool for exposing the reader to the meat of our practices, while making sure they will get a feeling of the person and the times it was developed in!” (David K. Hollingsworth 2011-02-28)

"Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy: An Integrative Approach is excellent! Not only does it cover the foundational counseling theories that all students should know, but it also puts them in an historical and cultural context that helps students understand the theories’ developments. The author synthesizes recent development in counseling theories and examines how social constructivism, multiculturalism, and non-Western counseling theories have influenced contemporary counseling theorists while exposing students to a range of newer, culturally-aware theories of psychotherapy. Perhaps the greatest strength of the text is its integration of cultural awareness throughout the text, and not just as an addendum to discussions of “standard” counseling theories. I intended to use this text each time I teach a graduate counseling theories course!" (David T. Goode-Cross, PhD 2011-06-20)

"This is a well-written and comprehensive coverage of the traditional, contemporary and evolving theories of counseling and psychotherapy. It is done from an integrative, strength-based perspective, while being attentive to national, international, and diversity issues. Among its many appeals to the reader are information on the backgrounds on the theorists, the case studies, and the section that helps a person to determine one’s approach to counseling. A must read and resource for anyone interested in and active in the field of counseling and psychotherapy." (Lee N. June. Ph. D. 2011-08-18)

As a school we are using Elsie Jones-Smith’s text, Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy in our Advanced Social Work Practice class. As I work through the text in order to teach, I see that the author has put many of the values I have into a teachable form. This is by far the most outstanding text I have used or read. I am most appreciative to the author for the chapter on strengths and I can only hope my students learn as much as I am. (Mark Shaffer 2011-09-14)