Reviews
Edited by Jeanine Connor. Please note, we do not accept unsolicited book reviews.
The Handbook of Grief Therapies Edith Maria Steffen, Evgenia Milman and Robert A Neimeyer (eds) (Sage) This book comprises chapters from 29 contributors, many internationally known and each with an and their contributions are of interest and relevance to all counselling practitioners. While recognising that grief is a normal human process, a proportion of grievers may need assistance to recover from the aftermath of their loss. Many treatment approaches for grief, although in themselves varied, tend to assume that grief is a generalised process, but this book recognises that ‘clinicians are faced with the challenge of understanding the diversity and complexity of grief, so as to tailor their approach to the features that define each individual griever’. On this basis, the book offers chapters on contemporary grief therapy, including narrative approach, quest for meaning, psychoanalysis, existential therapy, attachment-informed, CBT, EMDR, mindfulness, art and compassion-based approaches to working with grief. A further section looks at tailoring grief therapy for diverse presentations and populations, considering sociological, cultural and ethnic issues, suicide, parental grief after the death of a child, violence, pandemics, couples and families. Finally, impressive academic and clinical practice background. They come from a wide range of geographical areas, the contributors explore professional issues for grief therapists – measuring process and outcome of grief therapies, training, reflection and self-care. I liked the key points, recommended readings and references at the end of each chapter. This is a readable, academically sound and well-researched work, with a wealth of useful information, and its content will be relevant for practitioners, whether in counselling, medical or supportive practice. I have enjoyed reading it and will certainly refer to it again often. Dr Barbara Mitchels MBACP (Snr Accred), psychotherapist
One Tree, Many Branches: the practice of integrative child and adolescent psychotherapy Bozena Merrick and Di Gammage (eds) (Phoenix)
A Clinician’s Guide to Understanding and Using Psychoanalysis in Practice Paul Terry (Routledge)
Terry draws on his extensive career in public health to share his understanding and application of psychoanalysis in this slim tome. Although this is billed as a ‘clinician’s guide’, I found it to be more esoteric and
This book celebrates the 20th anniversary of the psychotherapy and counselling training organisation Terapia and its trainees and staff who provide mental health services to children, young people and families. Contributors
creative than that – a collection of compelling articles on disparate subjects rather than a textbook. The clinical vignettes from a variety of psychiatric settings illustrate how psychoanalytic concepts can be applied in challenging environments, including with patients experiencing dementia and psychosis. Central to the book is a case study of ‘J’ that spans four years and four chapters. This is the most cohesive part of the book, and I was left wondering whether it could have been developed further into a stand-alone book on its own. Terry’s account of J’s therapy, some of which was twice-weekly, is beautifully and thoughtfully written, and incorporates the patient’s history, content from sessions, discussions with supervisors and colleagues, and links to theory. Each of these four chapters focuses on one theme (‘Grief and psychosis’, ‘Encounters with a psychotic superego’, ‘Struggles to contain madness’, ‘Mourning omnipotence’) and ends with synthesising concluding reflections. I imagine that many of us working clinically with patients will recognise J’s ‘oscillation in and out of emotional contact as tentative ventures from a psychotic organisation in the mind’. The final four chapters under the umbrella title of ‘Life’ link works of fiction (one film and three novels) to psychoanalytic concepts, and make the case for reading as a vehicle to help ‘the patient in disentangling him or herself from projections which distort the truth’. As an insight into an experienced practitioner’s approach, the case studies in particular will be of interest to anyone working therapeutically. Emmanuelle Smith, psychodynamic psychotherapist
provide insight for counselling practitioners looking to support integrative ways of working with children and young people, and an array of strategies for therapeutic work with diverse populations. Chapters such as ‘Ecopsychotherapy with children and young people in mind’ and ‘Working with Orthodox Jewish communities’ show the book’s scope, offering strategies to integrate nature into therapy and sensitively address cultural considerations. The chapter on ‘Somatic countertransference to ground autistic states’ exemplifies the book’s commitment to innovative approaches, exploring how various bodily experiences can support autistic clients. Meanwhile, discussions on racial trauma and female genital mutilation highlight the book’s dedication to addressing sensitive and complex issues with trauma-informed strategies. The absence of male therapists in the field is explored, shedding light on the impact of gender dynamics in therapy. Examination of neurodiversity in children and young people upholds inclusivity, advocating for an understanding of diverse neurological personalities and presentations. Chapters on ‘Grief and children and young people’ and ‘Foetal alcohol syndrome’ delve into specific challenges, offering targeted methods to navigate them. This book provides practitioners with a rich assortment of insights to elevate their counselling practice when working with children and adolescents across a diverse range of contexts and challenges. Beverly Neeson, counsellor in private practice and counselling lecturer
MAY 2024 53
THERAPY TODAY
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