Theories of Psychotherapy and Counseling: Concepts and Cases

by Richard S. Sharf

In this extensive revision of his illuminating text, Richard S. Sharf presents significant theories that provide a systematic approach to the helping professions. Comprehensive yet succinct in its description and explanation of of the major theories of psychotherapy and counseling, THEORIES OF PSYCHOTHERAPY AND COUNSELING: CONCEPTS AND CASES, SECOND EDITION makes ample use of case summaries and client-therapist dialogue. This approach demonstrates how each of 12 major theories can be applied to common psychological disorders (such as depression, anxiety, and borderline disorders) or to modes of treatment (such as individual, couples, families, and groups). Sharf's skillful blending of concepts and examples makes psychotherapy and counseling clearer and more real for the student wanting to learn more about the therapeutic process.For each therapy presented in the text, information about background, personality theory, and theory of psychotherapy provides a means for understanding the application of psychotherapy theory. Through a discussion of goals, assessment, therapeutic relationships, and techniques, as well as current issues that each theory translates in to action.Sharf draws on the knowledge of over 50 experts in a wide variety of theoretical approaches to psychotherapy and counseling. Each specialist provided suggestions for inclusion of specific content as well as reviews of chapters at various stages of the book's developmental. This consultative approach brings a new dimension and candor to the material. Experts make contributions to the discussion of Psychoanalysis, Jungian Analysis and Therapy, Adlerian Therapy, Existential Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Behavior Therapy, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Therapy, Reality Therapy, Feminist Therapy, Family Systems Therapy, and Alternative Therapies.

Genres: Psychology, Counselling, Nonfiction, Textbooks, Grad School

750 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1995

Reviews

[Amanda Maxwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good representation of theories, but quite dry.

[Meli Leelan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's was a new book it has great scenarios for learning

[Archita · Rating 5 out of 5]

super resourceful information about different psychotherapy theories with very cool case conceptualizations and practical application!

[Carly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is PACKED with information on different (the main) psychotherapy theories. It includes information about each theory such as how it came about, the main people who developed it, the goals of therapy, view of human nature/personality, techniques, and more! To make the book as relevant as possible, there is a section devoted to gender and multicultural issues which each theory as well.

Sharf does a great job of summarizing what can only be very complex theories, and framing them in a way to make them most appealing for any counseling student. (Making my decision of which theory I like most difficult...)

This is a good book for any counselors to be...but I probably wouldn't have picked it up otherwise. :)

[Victoria]

This is actually one of the textbooks for my Theories of Counseling class for school. I'm not finished yet, I have about 2 more chapters to go. It's not a bad book...but it's not a good book, as far as textbooks go. It gives a thorough history of the main psychotherapy/counseling theories, but it really doesn't go in depth on the concepts or how the theories are put to use in therapy today (there are only brief explanations for those). I'm disappointed in this book. I hope some of our other counseling textbooks are better than this one.

[Bree · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the section on existentialism. If you're interested in the subject of psychotherapy at all, this book is fascinating. Each chapter covers a different theory of counseling practice and includes the history of the theory, the important contributions to the theory, the current issues with the theory, and the future of its practice. This one is taking up all of my reading time right now.

[LemontreeLime · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really well done overview of many of the major schools of thought in psychology, including brief case studies and multicultural aspects of each division. Of all the textbooks from this term, this is the only one I kept.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent textbook. Just enough detail to bring the theories alive without becoming overwhelming.