Changing Minds: The History of Psychotherapy as an Answer to Human Suffering

by Frank Tallis

"Changing Minds" is an accessible history of psychotherapy, introducing its key figures (from Freud to Beck) and explaining their most important ideas. The book shows how psychotherapy has influenced our understanding of the mind and its workings, particularly with respect to the form of suffering that we call 'mental illness'. Frank Tallis argues that, in a world in which the old certainties of religion have been brought into question by the advance of science, psychotherapy represents a secular response to suffering. Unlike many boos of psychology, "Changing Minds" explores the personalities of the field's major figures, as well as their ideas.Throughout, the author shows how historical and cultural events, such as the Holocaust and the invention of the computer, have influenced ideas about the mind, and vice versa. Crammed with entertaining and informative vignettes, and many references to theatre, and literature, this book places scientific developments in a cultural context, making it both accessible and interesting.

Genres: Psychology

171 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1998

About the author

Aka F.R. Tallis.

Dr. Frank Tallis is a writer and clinical psychologist. He has held lecturing posts in clinical psychology and neuroscience at the Institute of Psychiatry and King's College, London. He has written self help manuals (How to Stop Worrying, Understanding Obsessions and Compulsions) non-fiction for the general reader (Changing Minds, Hidden Minds, Love Sick), academic text books and over thirty academic papers in international journals. Frank Tallis' novels are: KILLING TIME (Penguin), SENSING OTHERS (Penguin), MORTAL MISCHIEF (Arrow), VIENNA BLOOD (Arrow), FATAL LIES (Arrow), and DARKNESS RISING (Arrow). The fifth volume of the Liebermann Papers, DEADLY COMMUNION, will be published in 2010. In 1999 he received a Writers' Award from the Arts Council of Great Britain and in 2000 he won the New London Writers' Award (London Arts Board). In 2005 MORTAL MISCHIEF was shortlisted for the Ellis Peters Historical Dagger Award.

Reviews

[Ard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and pretty concise introduction into the history of psychotherapy, but one that gives all things Freudian way too much screentime in my opinion.
3,5 stars

[Aysenur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best non-academic source on the subject of history of psychotherapy. Schisms and paradigm shifts throughout this history is narrated in a captivating flow, instead of approaching different schools in dedicated chapters drily and without connection. The book is also filled with information on personal lives and anecdotes of primary figures which gives the chapters more life. Decked with interesting references and concludes with pinpoint recommendations for further reading.

[James Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic (just like all of his books)!