Psychotherapy with "Impossible" Cases: The Efficient Treatment of Therapy Veterans

by Barry L. Duncan, Mark A. Hubble, Scott D. Miller

This book, a companion to the authors' Escape from Babel , describes therapy with a number of patients who had defeated numerous clinicians and become "veterans" of the system. Using a flexible approach that emphasizes relationship, hope, and a plan for the future, the authors turn these cases around, setting the clients on a path of independence and health.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Social Work

240 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1997

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a terrific book for therapists. It's well-written, a quick read, exciting and inspiring. Through case studies, the authors demonstrate how it is possible to use rather simple, practical techniques to give clients the power to change, especially when they have gotten bogged down in therapist-defined problems and therapist-controlled processes.

This is not a how-to book; consider it a supplement to manuals on solution-focused therapy. It demonstrates dramatically what a huge difference can be made by giving the client control of the therapeutic situation and letting the client define the problem and the process of change. One weakness is a tendency to generalize this to all "impossible" clients. No therapist can work with every client, and no model is right for everyone. Some clients do better with a very directive treatment model, and sometimes we just don't like a particular client.

Having said that, as a "psychotherapy veteran" myself, I wish some of my therapists had read this book. I know I've heard a few teeth grind from the other side of the room, usually when my therapist was using cognitive-behavioral techniques. This book is a good addition to any counselor's education.