Handbook of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies

by Keith S. Dobson (Editor)

Fully revised and updated, the second edition of this authoritative Handbook reflects the continuing evolution of the field over the last decade. The volume brings together established experts to review the theories, research, and treatment methodologies associated with the major cognitive-behavioral models. Part I describes historical foundations and basic principles. Extensively rewritten chapters cover such topics as assessment strategies and recent developments in the cognitive sciences, and new chapters have been added on case formulation and psychotherapy integration. Part II comprises detailed presentations of specific treatment cognitive therapy, rational-emotive behavior therapy, self-management approaches, problem-solving therapies, and child and adolescent applications. Chapters on each model combine thorough coverage of theory and research with illuminating clinical vignettes.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Reference

446 pages, Hardcover

First published December 18, 1987

Reviews

[Lieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Used the 2019 version of this book to prepare for an oral exam about the third wave of CBT. It was rather hard to get a good overview of some of the therapies' theoretical background and history, often I had to use the book in combination with google. Some chapters, like those on mindfulness-based therapies, only give a really brief description that does not really add information to more general books about behavioral therapies or clinical psychology.
It does sometimes give elaborate and good examples of how a treatment would look and what it would include. Sometimes examples of specific techniques are used an the techniques only explained pages further. The chapters seem to be written by people involved with that type of treatment, instead of one person from one theoretical inclination writing everything, so I suppose that's good.
Generally I would not recommend this book as a perfect study guide, but since I could not find anything that gave a better, non-biased to one treatment type kind of overview like this I would still think this to be the best you can get that's actual in 2019.

[Nadejda Constantinova · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked some of the ideas from this handbook such as the ones below. As of my perception, if you are interested in psychology, CT,depression or whatever, this is not a "must-read", but it is a good thing to start with.

The ideas I found interesting:
- To ask the patient (or yourself) for his/her perception of the most important topic in terms of reducing depression and to start with this topic;
- as a therapist (or yourself) you should move from assessment mode to intervention mode within 20/80 proportion;
- If the patient did not make the homework and he may state that by this in/action he disappointed the therapist, the last one shall ask what signals made the patient think he disappointed the therapist.

[Cansu Cangir · Rating 4 out of 5]

The chapters are not written by generalists but by the leading experts of the specific therapies since I got insights into ACT and DBT from the authorities who defined them. But at the same time, it creates the style varies chapter to chapter, sometimes focus is philosophy and sometimes clinical research, this made my reading experience somewhat unbalanced.

I believe it's an excellent job of bridging the gap between 'second wave' and 'third wave' therapies which is good.

[Usfromdk · Rating 2 out of 5]

Much closer to one star than three - I was very close to giving it one star.

It starts out not terrible, but then gets worse and worse as it moves on. Some chapters are almost hilariously bad. Often all that'll be worth knowing about a given method is one or two key ideas; you quickly realize that most of the rest is just crap and/or speculation. Some chapters have more than this, but not many, and frankly a lot of this stuff is pure bullshit.

Many of the chapters are written by partisans who don't even try to pretend to be impartial.

I was very disappointed by this book.

[Ms. S........... · Rating 3 out of 5]

I especially liked the research showing that CBT is more effective than pharmacological measures for depression...cool!