Description

By (author) Mahoney Michael J.

Short /annotation:
Acting as a teaching text and clinical resource, this book is about: how to do psychotherapy; and how to apply the science of change, to the complexities of helping people develop meanings in their lives. It shows how to nurture the therapeutic relationship, while implementing interventions as: centering techniques, problem solving, and others.

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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.

Table of contents:

1. Constructivism: A Brief Introduction
2. Constructive Psychotherapy: An Overview of Practice
3. Constructive Assessment
4. Basic Centering Techniques
5. Problem Solving: Basic Behavioral and Cognitive Techniques
6. Pattern Work
7. Basic Process Work: Meditation and Embodiment
8. Drama, Fantasy, Dream Work, and Stream of Consciousness
9. Self-Relationship and Spiritual Skills
10. The Experience of Change
11. Being Human and a Therapist
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 Meditatio
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

Review quote:

“Social work is a profession that puts compassion front and center; we”re trained and encouraged to use both our hearts and our heads to help our clients. Michael Mahoney”s Constructive Psychotherapy will go a long way to help us with our work. A constructivist approach views humans as empowered, as doing the best we can–to solve problems and make decisions as we strive to live our lives successfully–given what we know about ourselves and the world. What I like so much about this approach, and this book, is its ability to strengthen these qualities in our clients even as we encourage them to make crucial changes in their lives. Through its thoughtfulness and numerous examples of cases and techniques, this book is truly a practical guide to using a constructivist approach.”–Aaron M. Brower, PhD, School of Social Work and Integrated Liberal Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison

“Michael Mahoney has long been a powerful voice in bringing a constructivist sensibility to the practice of psychotherapy. Constructive Psychotherapy cogently summarizes the theoretical underpinnings of this clinical approach and outlines a set of specific guidelines for constructive psychotherapy. Clinical vignettes amply illustrate the application of constructivist principles aimed at transforming emotional experiencing within the therapeutic bond. Masterfully written, the book will be an invaluable text for students of psychotherapy and will also provide a breath of fresh air to all practitioners wishing to enrich and humanize their therapeutic practice.”–Robert D. Stolorow, PhD, coauthor of Worlds of Experience

“This beautifully written book contains the accumulated wisdom of an extremely thoughtful psychotherapy pioneer. I assume that Mahoney calls it