Persuasion and Healing: A Comparative Study of Psychotherapy

by Jerome D. Frank, Julia B. Frank

This popular study of "psychological healing"treats topics ranging from religious revivalism and magical healing to contemporary psychotherapies, from the role of the shaman in nonindustrialized societies to the traditional mental hospital. Jerome and Julia Frank (who are father and daughter) contend that these therapies share common elements that improve the "morale"of sufferers. And in combating the "demoralizing meaning"that people attach to their experiences, the authors argue, many therapies are surprisingly similar to rhetoric (the art of persuasion) and to hermeneutics (the study of meanings). Highly acclaimed in previous editions, Persuasion and Healing has been completely revised and expanded. In addition to a broadened exploration of the role of demoralization in illness, this latest edition offers updated information on topics including self-help, family therapy, psychopharmacology, psychotherapy for the mentally ill, and techniques such as primal therapy and bioenergetics. As they explore the power of "healing rhetoric"in these activities, the authors strengthen the ties among the various healing profession.

Genres: Psychology, Psychiatry, Nonfiction, Professional Development, Social Work, Mental Health, Medicine

366 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1973

Reviews

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book exploring the socio-cultural role that psychotherapy plays in society today, and a reminder to keep an open mind about just what is going on in therapy.

Frank's central argument is that the psychotherapist is the most recent occupant of the traditional role of mental/emotional healer in society. When people are sick, they know to seek out society's experts so for help and guidance. Accordingly, society awards special prestige and qualifications on the role of healer, and that is the basis for this trust in the therapist. Frank also brings into question just how much importance a particular school of therapy or modality of treatment is necessary for "healing" to take place in light of his central argument.

Not too technical, and well written.

[Jack Himes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book sets the practice and profession of psychotherapy in it's historical context. It also describes a preliminary formulation of the common factors of psychotherapy. The most poignant part for me personally is the attention paid to the placebo effect and how it is an actual effect: part of the reason that healing happens is because there is an expectation of healing, and anything that aids in bolstering that expectation (excepting deception and other unethical practices) should not be neglected as a factor to be deliberately addressed.