Which Psychotherapy?: Leading Exponents Explain Their Differences

Can mainstream therapeutic orientations coexist in harmony? If there is friction between them are they simply minor and unimportant? Is integrationism a reality, a myth, or simply another orientation or group of orientations in the making? Can therapy credibly and effectively continue being the pluralistic field that it is today? This controversial book discusses these and other important questions, arguing that far from becoming unified, 20th century psychotherapy has in fact been fundamentally characterized by serious disagreement on views of human nature, treatment rationales, and goals. Focusing on the differences rather than the commonalties in therapy, eight eminent practitioners in their own fields demonstrate the diversities in therapies and why for the most part it is not possible to tolerate or integrate with other approaches. Each therapist highlights the distinctive properties of his or her orientation and discusses the following questions: + Why and how they came to found, adapt, or choose the approach they currently practice + Which criticisms of the approach they consider to be valid + Which approaches they consider to be ineffective, misleading, or dangerous, and conversely, which approaches seem to be more promising or effective + Why their approach is more effective or comprehensive and why it may be more suited to certain clients or client problems + How they account for research that suggests that no one approach seems more valid than any other Which Psychotherapy? is a challenging and thought-provoking book that opens up a powerful debate. Introducing students and practitioners to a fascinating selection of therapeutic approaches and their leading proponents, the book effectively maps and explains the different bases that underpin the theories and helps to make sense of the range of therapeutic practices. It will be invaluable reading for trainers, their trainees, and all reflective practitioners.

Colin Feltham is series editor of Professional Skills for Counsellors and Short Introductions to the Therapy Professions series, co-editor of SAGE Handbook of Counselling and Psychotherapy and author of several SAGE texts, including What is Counselling?