Mastering the Clinical Conversation: Language as Intervention

by Matthieu Villatte, Jennifer L. Villatte, Steven C. Hayes

This compelling book provides psychotherapists with evidence-based strategies for harnessing the power of language to free clients from life-constricting patterns and promote psychological flourishing. Grounded in relational frame theory (RFT), the volume shares innovative ways to enhance assessment and intervention using specific kinds of clinical conversations. Techniques are demonstrated for activating and shaping behavior change, building a flexible sense of self, fostering meaning and motivation, creating powerful experiential metaphors, and strengthening the therapeutic relationship. User-friendly features include more than 80 clinical vignettes with commentary by the authors, plus a "Quick Guide to Using RFT in Psychotherapy" filled with sample phrases and questions to ask.

Genres: Psychology, Language, Mental Health, Counselling, Psychiatry, Nonfiction

406 pages, Hardcover

First published November 4, 2015

Reviews

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relational Frame Theory (RFT) is the behavioral approach to explaining language in humans. RFT is complex - after all, you are using language to explain language. However, Matthieu Villatte explains it wonderfully, with concrete examples and when/how to incorporate RFT in therapy with clients. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is one of the byproduct of RFT - most people who use ACT have no idea about RFT . This book's focus is on RFT (not ACT); the premise is if you understand RFT, you can apply it in therapy in a flexible manner without adhering to a specific model (ACT/DBT/CBT). I find RFT beautiful and this book is easier COMPARED to the 'purple book' aka 'Relational Frame Theory: A Post-Skinnerian Account of Human Language and Cognition' (I am still prodding through it).
Caveat: Making a bold claim - if there is only one book you read on the APPLICATION of RFT (because you really really want to know how to do it really really well), read this book!
If you want to know what RFT is all about, read 'Learning RFT: An Introduction to Relational Frame Theory and Its Clinical Application'

[Tino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kevyesti yksi parhaista psykologisen työn kirjoista, jonka olen lukenut. Suosittelen!

[Máximo Atunga · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a good technical resource on how to use language interventions despite your clinical background (psychodinamic, ACT, CBT or others). It starts mentioning the importance of language and how RFT interventions can be put in practice with clients. If you don't have any knowledge about ACT or RFT you can read it anyways and the authors try to make this resource useful for any kind of therapist as I said but sometimes for me -I have some background on RFT and ACT- was a hard reading. There are chapters related on how to do a psychological assesment, shaping behaviour change, using metaphors in session and how to empower the therapeutic relationship (applying RFT principles to therapists themselves). I found useful the quick guide at the end wich resumes the main clinical targets of each chapter and their technical possible interventions. The book is clear and well written but I think you need time of practice or re read it to really grasp the RFT principles and be able to apply them in real sessions. The authors advise readers to take different processes developed on the book and practice them one by one until the clinician feels more comfortable with each.

[Zach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Important and pivotal application of relational frame theory to psychotherapy. Helped me to conceptualize language in a completely different way.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Using language to understand language which is like learning another language.

[Alex Giurgea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una dintre cele mai cuprinzatoare carti despre dialogul terapeutic folosit in slujba schimbarii aplicand Relational Framing Theory peste majoritatea orientarilor psihoterapeutice. Scopul unui astfel de dialog il reprezinta constientizarea coerentei actiunilor in cadrul contextului, a motivatiei pentru actiune precum si a perspectivei temporal-spatiale a tripletei Eu/aici/acum.

[Sarah]

I didn't read the whole book (it's pretty dense), but it would be a helpful reference book on Relational Frame Theory, the underpinnings of ACT.

[Adele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have read twice completely through. Still don’t feel I’ve mastered RFT but much closer!

[Mani · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best behavior modification books I have read to date. Very practical and frames language and thought as behaviors with the resulting meaning being made in context.

This may be a denser introduction to Relational Frame Theory and Functional Contextualism than most people enjoy. It’s heavy on cases and demonstrations and picks up the pace pretty quickly as it stacks concept upon concept.

I’m returning to read some other books that share this worldview because it’s fascinating and immediately applicable in conceiving of theories of mind of clients and the way in which their self narratives are contributing, in collaboration to the environment, to their manifested behavior.

[Hugh Simonich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a detailed account of how we can use language with the relations of RFT in a therapeutic relationship to get in touch with overarching therapy goals and qualities of action in therapeutic work. Each chapter has a summary which puts everything together, and in the back of the book is another overall summary that can be used as a reference guide for practitioners. It is well laid out and each chapter builds on one another. These are RFT skills that are explicitly stated that can be brought to mastery and can be used in any psychological tradition to bring a higher degree of precision and scope. It is well worth reading for any therapeutic practitioner.

[Igor Carvalho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book about the power of language in psychotherapy.

[gayasuddin khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book for every Psychiatrist

[Karem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

[Isadora Lenz · Rating 5 out of 5]

De longe, o livro que teve o maior impacto na minha prática como psicóloga comportamental contextual.

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish they had taught this one in grad school