Beyond Therapy: Igniting Life Focus Community Movements

by Erving Polster

In Beyond Therapy, Erving Polster examines the role of “life focus"in three of society’s most familiar activities: ordinary conversation, the arts, and religion. He shows the life focus movement to be an indivisible complement to just simply living. In proposing a paradigm shift from psychotherapy’s priority for changing people’s troubled lives into the complementary purpose of illuminating their lives, the author invites the participation of many people who do not seek remedial treatment for emotional or psychological problems.

Polster incorporates a broader scenario for enhancing attention through community groups, showing that the convergence of people’s minds on commonly important life themes creates enlightenment. This interlocked focus amplifies the ensuing conversational content and creates a meditation-like absorption. This kind of pointed focus, argues Polster, has the power to color the lives of the participants.

This work offers rationale and design for life focus community groups, and also creates a heightened identity for the life focus movement, providing other foundational ideas that help to unify diverse approaches. Mental health professionals will benefit from its wealth of specific exercises and instructions for program design. Polster provides leaders and group members with a well-rounded perspective on the basics of personal enlightenment and communal belonging.

226 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 31, 2015

Reviews

[Alain Burrese · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book “Beyond Therapy: Igniting Life Focus Community Movements” by Erving Polster is not a light easy read, and not one you want to attempt reading when tired. Polster, the director of The Gestalt Training Center, San Diego, examines psychotherapy and its social offspring, the Life Focus Community group. It's a difficult, but interesting read.

I'll admit, I'm not into psychotherapy, as it's just not for me. I'm not saying it doesn't benefit some people, but it's not something I would want for myself. Nor would I be one to join a Life Focus Community group. With that said, I found the book interesting from an academic view, and to satisfy curiosity on the topic. I especially liked the comparisons to religion, as that is another topic that peaks my curiosity and I did find those sections interesting.

I'm guessing the average reader isn't going to pick this off the shelf and start reading. It's target audience is a small group that has interest and involvement in psychotherapy and want to organize or partake in Life Focus Community groups in their local area. And for that small group, this book will be both interesting and educational. I believe the book will help the movement for those interested in it in the first place. It didn't convert me to believing in psychotherapy or wanting to find a group to join, but it gave me a better understanding of those who do.

So my recommendation would depend on your interests and beliefs. If you are into psychotherapy and this Life Force Community Movement, then you'll most likely want this book as a reference on your shelf. If you are not into psychotherapy and these kinds of groups, you may be bored and not like this book. I'm giving it four stars for those that are into this kind of therapy.

[Robert Yokoyama · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is neat to see how a life focus group can work successfully in my life. I also have an example of a life focus group that does not work so well in my life. The goal of a life focus group is to clear up anything that is complicated or unclear in my life by sharing stories with other people. I belong to a theater group of performers. We share stories with each other every week about some aspect of our lives. We take those stories and turn them into skits and plays to perform. This is a very nurturing supportive environment to learn how to become an actor I also work with adults who have learning disabilities. I can share stories about my frustrations of working with them with my other coworkers. I have received empathy but no solutions about how to decrease my client's anger and increase their productivity from my coworkers. The beauty of the life focus approach is that there is no set time limit. The process of sharing stories is ongoing. I will try sharing my experiences with another set of coworkers to try to get a new perspective on my problems with my client. Beyond Therapy gives me the hope that I can improve my working relationship with her.