A Therapist's Guide to the Personality Disorders: The Masterson Approach

by James F. Masterson (Editor)

Contributors from the Masterson Institute introduce the fundamental concepts, theories, and treatment approaches of James F. Masterson, synthesizing the material of his 14 books and many articles. The second part is a workbook in the form of a questionnaire to enable practitioners to apply the skills they have learned in the first part. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Genres: Psychology

187 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2004

Reviews

[Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book/workbook is therapeutic crack! There is so much information packed into this little workbook it is amazing. Anyone who has ever struggled with the problem of "ok I know what I have here but now what do I do with it?" must must must read this book. Masterson's entire published works are all very good on their own but this gives you a glimpse into all of the works complied into one book. Obviously, not nearly as extensive of a look as you would get from the original texts but very good and very clear to the reader. The workbook gives you great directives on how to conduct your therapy and make it as effective as it can be given the diagnoses you are dealing with at the time. This book is very helpful and a must have for anyone who is in therapy with Axis II individuals.

My one critique is one that I don't think could be avoided given the depth of information provided in so few pages but I feel it deserves to be mentioned. This book is incredibly dense to read. Each paragraph, page, and chapter is rich with information and thus making it a slow read (at least for me) when you are reading for memory and comprehension. This isn't a light read by any means, but if you take your time and take it seriously it is a great tool for any therapist.

[Esra · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yarım bıraktım sf. 224

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I'm not much for psychoanalytic psychotherapy, I do believe that Masterson is an expert in personality disorder treatment using the attachment/object relations models. He conceptualizes his PD clients into the 3 major categories (Narcissism/Borderline/Schizoid) and thinks in terms of the good/bad split of ego development, and then splits each of these into 2 separate functions. It sounds a bit complicated, but his general clinical theory and approach is not.

He considers the primary role of therapy as helping the client to identify and explore the real, less-cohesive self in therapy, experience their expected abandonment depression with support, and then challenge their defensive reactions compassionately and safely in therapy. This approach, over time, heals the depression and helps the client strengthen their real self, integrating the good/bad split of their inner experience as well as their experience of the therapist.

I cherish the experience of this clinical expert and look to this book each time I feel I face the challenge of PDs in my clients.