Reassembling Models of Reality: Theory and Clinical Practice

by Aldrich Chan

Nautilus Book Awards Winner in Psychology/Mental & Emotional Well-Being
Studies from neuropsychology and ideas in philosophy are combined to better understand consciousness and the systems that filter human experience. In addition, the author shares potential treatments and musings on the nature of reality.
Therapists must rely on their clients' reporting of experience in order to assess, treat, and offer help. Yet we all experience the world through various filters of one sort or another, and our experiences are transformed through several nonconscious processes before reaching our conscious awareness. Science, philosophy, and wisdom traditions share the belief that our awareness is very restricted. How, then, can anyone accurately report their experience, let alone get help with it?
Neuropsychologist Aldrich Chan examines how our experience of reality is assembled and shaped by biological, psychological, sociocultural, and existential processes. Each chapter explores processes within these domains that may act as "veils." Topics in the book the default mode network, cognitive distortions, decision-making heuristics, the interconnected mind, memory, and cultural concepts of distress. By understanding the ways in which reality can be distorted, clinicians can more effectively help their clients reach their personal psychotherapeutic goals.

4-6 black-and-white illustrations

Genres: Psychology

384 pages, Hardcover

Published April 13, 2021

Reviews

[Chris Constantine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reassembling Models of Reality: Theory and Clinical Practice was one of the most surprising and fulfilling reading experiences of my life. I ordered the book with the intention of learning more about a couple fields that are becoming increasingly important to understanding the mind and our place in the world: interpersonal neurobiology and neuropsychology. My expectations of slogging through a stodgy textbook were shattered right from the beginning. This book is an exhilarating ride balancing scientific and intellectual rigor with brilliant, awe-inspiring writing that challenges, entertains, and motivates in every page. Dr. Chan’s clinical expertise and wide, multidisciplinary knowledge cycles from theory to practice, engaging regions of the brain that are seldom exercised in one book. The unique and engaging structure of this book provides a rich assortment of quotations that wonderfully set up each section, indispensable clinical applications that will be useful to students and practitioners from diverse backgrounds and vocations, as well as illuminating dialogues, reflections, and informative appendices, figures, and tables. It thus has something of the flavor of a modern Gödel, Escher, Bach and Jung’s Red Book, covering a tremendous amount of ground without a dull moment.

But what is most rewarding to me about this book is its therapeutic effects. The overlying message is encouraging: we all have the potential to change, grow, and mature. I have noticed that these effects work on both conscious and unconscious levels, helping me broaden and sharpen my awareness of my own models of reality and reassemble old and new models to improve the quality of my life and relationships. This is not a book to be read once and stored away, it is one that I am continuing to embody on a path toward greater meaning and life-affirming psychological integration.

[Will Jacoby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a page turner! For the subjects at hand, such as consciousness, neuroscience, and psychology, this book was very accessible. I continue to return to it depending on challenges that I'm facing throughout the day. The author leads with psychology/neuroscience and introduces philosophical concepts that fits nicely into the mosaic of his book. He has an exceptional range of knowledge on these topics and I found his views to be realistic and encouraging. My experience is that many scientists have very limited views of the world and many writers from the liberal arts are on the opposite spectrum; Aldrich Chan was a perfect balance of these worlds. The rhythm of his work expresses itself in waves of factual and artistic writing.

Here are two I really like:
1) Factual: "mirror neurons are active when a person is recognizing their own face...the very act of self-reflection may have been made possible via mirror neurons, which allow us to reflect on an internal representation of self."

2) Artistic: "Humans perceive the world as subjects, yet we are also objects composed of the same material we are perceiving from. Our attempts to sense the reality hidden behind veils is very much like a game of hide and seek."

Don't let the words "Theory and Clinical Practice" drive you away or a few technical terms halt your progress, this book contains facts and wisdom that may truly change your life. He is a scholar of the finest caliber!

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall 5/5. I really enjoyed this one! There were definitely many pause and reflect moments, due to information about some of the fascinating illusions we experience as humans. Truly makes you question the reality you live in! There are many deep insightful thoughts as well as facts to support them. You won't regret it!

My one critique is that it was not the easiest read, but...it was a very rewarding one! I suppose this was to be expected given the title. If you are wondering if this is too textbooky, fear not, there is a definite creative and academic prose mixed together. I enjoyed his style, sometimes it felt like he was directly talking to me, and it piqued my interest for reading more about neuropsychology and philosophy. For people who aren't in the field but curious, it is also a nice way of peeking into the inner workings of psychologists. I initially skipped clinical applications, as a non mental health practitioner (the book still reads well) but ended up going back. I was curious about how some of these concepts are applied.

[Pratik Mohapatra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reassembling Models of Reality, to me, is like an intersection between Julian Jaynes Bicameral Mind, Mcgilchrists Divided Brain and Hoffmans Case against reality. It covers an impressive amount of information from various disciplines. It is heavily cited, drawing from many research articles and fluidly integrates philosophy of mind. It begins technical, building up to novel frameworks and the authors own reflections. At the end of the book are very useful charts and worksheets. Even though I am not a psychologist, I was able to apply some of them directly to my own life and its helped me achieve greater awareness and clarity of thought. I highly recommend this book to anyone with a deep interest in the convergence of neuropsychology and philosophy!

[Jaime Meza · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book is an impressive undertaking. Lively, unpretentious and scholarly, Dr. Chan draws us deeper into the world we live in by exploring Contemporary and relevant ideas that are foundational to our experience of reality.

Dr. Chan has a good eye for interesting and relevant information. In my opinion, it should win an award for its seamless flow, despite covering such a diversity of complicated topics and presenting them in an understandable and entertaining way.

Simply excellent and Masterfully done!

[Jessica Shraybman · Rating 5 out of 5]

really enjoyed this book; particularly the way Dr. Chan reframes anxiety and tension from a stressful experience to an opportunity to exert our free will and make change. even though Dr. Chan is a professional neuropsychologist, there are many parts that he wrote for laypeople like me. This book has increased my understanding of the many ways our thoughts and perceptions are skewed (what he calls veils), provided tools for recognizing those veils, and practical guidance in how to live a more complete, integrated life despite the challenges. lovelovelove.

[Alejandro · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best reads of my 2021 list. Easy to follow despite complex psychological subject matter. A must read for anyone who has ever contemplated the meaning conscientious and the search for the soul.