Myths, Misconceptions, and Invalid Assumptions of Counseling and Psychotherapy

by Jeffrey Kottler, Richard S. Balkin

There are certain assumptions about the practice of counseling that are accepted as "truths," beliefs that are so pervasive that they remain unchallenged by almost all practitioners of all persuasions and approaches. In this book noted authors Jeffrey Kottler and Rick Balkin cover a wide range of myths, misconceptions, and assumptions that have remained unchallenged or that have little research to support their efficacy. Topics covered include the sacrosanct "50 minute hour," how basic research is conducted and whether the results inform actual practice, why progress made in therapy often doesn't last, what social justice actually means, and what makes someone an effective therapist.

Each chapter describes an issue, explores the way it operates in daily practice, and then presents empirical evidence to question or challenge its current use. In cases where there is little or no definitive research to support or refute the procedure, belief, or practice the authors present some critical questions that will at the very least encourage counselors to reflect on what they do and why.

288 pages, Hardcover

Published March 13, 2020

Reviews

[Ypatios Varelas · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book has serious issues. I mean really serious issues, so many that it is misleading and can do harm. So much polarized in favor of cognitive-based therapy and so much against other methods of therapy, including some that have been clinically verified such as EMDR and "energy" such as EFT (not directly referenced, but it is such a type of therapy and repeatedly verified for anxiety, addictions, trauma, PTSD, etc.) that makes you wonder. Of course, this is not an academic book, or a scientific overview or anything like that, but I would expect a more objective view from an experienced therapist.

At least he is honest about a few things, such as the massive failure of cognitive psychotherapy in long-term healing of emotional disorders (p.176): "The relapse rate for many emotional disorders is astronomical, as we mentioned previously. Certainly, our treatments for adjustment reactions
and “uncomplicated” trauma and loss are quite impressive, and the results are known to last once clients have internalized the skills for counteracting disruptive thoughts and negative feelings. But those who consult us for addictions, chronic drug abuse, bipolar disorder, and other severe affective
and impulse disorders are known to experience many ups and downs throughout their lives, regardless of how successful the initial treatments might have been."

Here is where some therapies, such as EFT and a few others that include body exercises excel. Still, the author seems ignorant about those, even though he finds it easy to disqualify them and even call them "potentially harmful" (p. 83) even though there is absolutely no evidence for that! I can guess he has never read the works of Arthur Janov about primal traumas, and many many other works that document the necessity to involve the physical body in serious therapy work.

There is some value in this book, I have to admit, but you need extensive knowledge in the field of therapy to be able to recognize where the author is helpful and where he is wrong and polarized.

Definitely NOT recommended.