Saving Psychotherapy: How Therapists Can Bring the Talking Cure Back from the Br

by Benjamin E. Caldwell

It is a troubling time to be a therapist. Despite decades of powerful evidence that psychotherapy works, and tremendous advances in both policy and technology making therapy available to more of those who need it, the number of people actually going to therapy is flat or even declining. While training to be a therapist continues to get more expensive, therapists' salaries aren't even keeping up with inflation. Saving Psychotherapy addresses some of the troubling realities behind these truths. In this data-driven, unflinching, and ultimately optimistic look at the state of psychotherapy today, you will learn simple steps any therapist can take to make your practice more reputable and successful -- while improving the health and reputation of the entire field.

Genres: Psychology

216 pages, Paperback

Published September 22, 2015

Reviews

[Abby Thompson, MA, MFT · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every therapist should read this. Caldwell reminds us that what we do is amazingly important and effective. But we don't always make a point of demonstrating that effectiveness for our clients, advocating for better managed care, or supporting public knowledge about mental health. We can do better.

[John Stinebaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent call to action that goes beyond pointing out what needs to change. It asks you to stand and be accountable for making the change happen and gives ideas on the steps to do so.

[Marci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Proud to be in the same profession as the author of this book. Science, money, accountability - it's all here. Inspiring message that we can be and do better.

[Benjamin Saubolle-Camacho · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be required reading for all graduate students entering the profession—and the programs that educate them.

Caldwell is unflinching in his assessment of modern psychotherapy, yet maintains his optimism about the healing therapists and counselors provide.

The book is divided into 4 Tasks:
1) Clarify purpose and values - 2) Fix therapist training - 3) Embrace science - 4) Become accountable. Each Task gives concrete steps that therapists can take to improve the field. For example, an action item from Task 4 is to gather data to measure your effectiveness. In explaining this task, he gives the reader resources and links to assessments that can be administered in less than a minute at the end of sessions.

Finally, I deeply appreciate his extensive citations and endnotes. This allows the reader to research a Task in more depth. I think this was the perfect book for me to find as I graduate my counseling program and enter the field. It is on my shelf to read again next year.