Constructive Psychotherapy: A Practical Guide - Hardcover

Mahoney, Michael J.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1572309024 ISBN 13: 9781572309029

Publisher: The Guilford Press, 2003

Synopsis

An invaluable teaching text and clinical resource, this is a book about how to do psychotherapy--how to apply the science of change to the complexities of helping people develop new meanings in their lives. Explaining constructivist principles and illuminating what a skilled clinician actually does in day-to-day practice, Michael J. Mahoney shows how to nurture the therapeutic relationship while implementing such creative interventions as centering techniques, problem solving, pattern work, meditation and embodiment exercises, drama and dream work, and spiritual exploration. Appendices feature reproducible client forms, handouts, and other useful materials.

About this title

About the Author

Michael J. Mahoney, PhD, until his death in 2006, was Professor of Holistic Counseling at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island, and Distinguished Consulting Faculty at Saybrook Graduate School and Research Center in San Francisco. Honored as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the World Academy of Art and Science, the American Psychological Association, and the American Psychological Society, Dr. Mahoney served as Executive Director of the Society for Constructivism in the Human Sciences.

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Contents

1. Constructivism: A Brief Introduction
Human Change Processes
The Essence of Constructivism
Principles and Personal Revolutions
2. Constructive Psychotherapy: An Overview of Practice
Compassionate Relationship as the Heart of Psychotherapy
Collaboration and Action
Affirmation and Hope
Balancing Skills and Cycles of Experiencing
Summary
3. Constructive Assessment
Measurement and Diagnostics
Constructive Themes in Assessment
Problems, Patterns, and Processes
Core Ordering Processes
Attunement
4. Basic Centering Techniques
Breathing Exercises
Body Balance Exercises
Relaxing into Center
Finding Stability in Relationships, Places, and Patterns
5. Problem Solving: Basic Behavioral and Cognitive Techniques
Problem Solving
The Essence of Behavioral Methods
Cognitive Restructuring
When Problem Solving Doesn't Work
6. Pattern Work
Personal Journaling and Bibliotherapy
Life Review Exercises
Narrative Reconstruction
Coming Home to Process
7. Basic Process Work: Meditation and Embodiment
Meditation
Embodiment Exercises
8. Drama, Fantasy, Dream Work, and Stream of Consciousness
Role Playing "As If"
Fantasy and Dream Work
Stream of Consciousness
9. Self-Relationship and Spiritual Skills
Mirror Time
Spiritual Skills and Personal Development
A Postscript on Techniques
10. The Experience of Change
Static Cling: A Compassionate Look at People
Who Don't Change
Core Change: Personal Revolutions
Emotionality and Change
Courage and Creativity
Transition and Termination
Pilgrim in Process
11. Being Human and a Therapist
Vicarious Suffering: The Wounds of Helping
The Person and Personal Life of the Therapist
A Therapist's Personal Life
Therapist Self-Care
Personal and Spiritual Development
The Challenges of Practicing Constructively
Healer Healing
Appendices:
A. Constructivism: History and Current Relevance
B. Consent Form
C. Personal Experience Report
D. Breathing Exercises
E. Body Balance Exercises
F. Relaxation
G. Mindfulness Meditation
H. Mirror Time
I. Kindly Self-Control
J. Self-Comforting Exercise
K. Spiritual Skills Exercises
L. Human Change Processes: A Synopsis
M. Recommendations for Therapist Self-Care
N. Recommendations for Constructive Practice

Edition details

• Publisher: The Guilford Press
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1572309024
• ISBN 13: 9781572309029
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 302