"'I want to change, but not if it means changing,' a patient once said to me in complete innocence." Change is precisely what Stephen Grosz aims to teach in his first book, The Examined Life. After twenty-five years as a psychoanalyst, it is safe to assume that he has quite a few stories to tell. He has treated patients in psychiatric hospitals, outpatient-psychotherapy and forensic psychotherapy clinics, child and adolescent units, and private practice. While he has seen children, adolescents and adults for consultation, the majority of his work has been with adults in psychoanalysis. That is, one person for fifty minutes, four of five times a week, over several years, as he explains in his Preface. Grosz has taken over 50,000 hours spent with patients, extracted his most memorable sessions, and compiled a series of vignettes on how to manage both losing and finding oneself. His stores are proof that change, although difficult, is sometimes necessary in order to move forward.
The book is divided into five sections: Beginnings, Telling Lies, Loving, Changing, and Leaving, each of which touch upon the concepts of loss and revival. While each tale is unique, the underlying message throughout the whole book is that the most complicated of problems can be resolved through one process: talking, listening, and understanding. This process can bring an individual one step closer to the change necessary in his or her life. This common, yet underestimated, method is exactly what Grosz did as an analyst in the session room when he was one on one with his patients. He allowed them to speak, listened to their tales, and truly grasped the meaning behind their problems. This made patients more comfortable coming to terms with whatever was troubling them and made them more likely to introduce change into their lives. The idea of talking, listening, and understanding has proven to be the most effective, yet ordinary, therapy. This concept is a lot like Grosz's book: a very simple exterior, but an incredibly deep meaning behind the outer shell.
The book reads almost like fiction, which helps give insight to the analyst's point of view, rather than just focusing on the clients'. The style Grosz chose to use makes the book both readable and relatable to almost any audience. The short stories seem fictitious-very exciting, even juicy at some points-yet they are too raw to be conjured up by one's imagination; that is clear. Each story is that of a real person. Each person's distinct voice rings loud and clear from page to page, it is almost impossible not to pick up on. While the book is extremely pleasurable because of its fictitious tone, it is even more relatable to the reader because of the real life tales it tells. There were times where I almost wished Grosz didn't choose to narrate each story. I feel that there would have been more of an impact if the prose did read even more like fiction by having each patient tell his or her own story. Even though that choice may have changed the book entirely, I feel it would have relayed Grosz's message and each individual message of his patients even clearer.
The Examined Life strategically uses real life stories to teach people that loss will occur in one's life at one point or another, it is a matter of how one accepts, adjusts, and ultimately changes in order to keep moving forward. Change may seem impossible, as it did to the many patients in this book. It is often stated that one cannot force another to change. The beauty of Grosz's work as an analyst is that he did not push anyone to alter who they were. He listened to his patients' stories, allowed them to express themselves, and by understanding their perspectives, the patients each found it in themselves to make the decision to change. Most importantly, this book demonstrates that a fifty minute session can reveal as much to the analyst as it does to the patient.
Grosz, S. (2013). The Examined Life: How We Lose and Find Ourselves. New York: W.W. Norton & Co.
Paperback. ISBN: 978-0-393-07954-8. 225 pages.
Dance movement psychotherapy was developed to create a bridge between the body and the soul. Established with Jungian ideas in mind, it views archetypes as part of who a person is. The belief that underlay this therapy was that people are not whole if all parts of them, body and soul, do not coexist. Hayes identifies the "spirit" as the coexistence of the body and soul. Body represents the modern cognition human beings share. Soul represents wild ambitions and instincts. Society, however, has created a taboo of wilderness, resulting in many people hiding their soul away.
Without a whole spirit, there can be no true health. Hayes explains the flow that occurs between body and soul while one dances, repairing connections lost and pushing the dancer through issues on both a mental and physical level. She shows several ways a person can heal, relating all ideas to natural beings. Like a flower, first one must grow down, create a healthy body, and establish oneself in one's surroundings. Only then can he or she grow up, creating a healthy soul, and experiencing those surroundings.
The pulse and the breath are woven together to create a starting point for the healing of the spirit. "This creative flow can surprise and inspire the mover as the dance of the soul passes through the body, set alight from energy to feeling, emotion and imagination." Hayes explains that transpersonal dance movement psychotherapy requires pulse and breath to work together with love and creativity in order to free the body of fear and control. Creativity and freedom to move as we will and be what we want is the reason for transpersonal dance movement therapy.
It is a way to fix our outward conflicts by first creating peace inside. We must bridge our physical body/soul and our spirit; to recreate the connection that once existed. Only once there is peace and harmony between all parts of our inner self is it possible to peel back the shields and begin healing: usually wounds caused by loss or separation. Hayes advices that having sympathy with the brokenness that a client feels is helpful in understanding the client better.
Hayes begins her book with definitions. She gives a meaning to previously only imaginable ideas. As we begin to understand what she means, she pulls us in further with case studies and her own propositions. Soul and Spirit in Dance Movement Psychotherapy was written as a framework for how dance movement can be applied to psychotherapy. Examples of situations and case studies allow for readers to experience different potential situations. Readers can range from experienced therapists to the every day person interested in dance movement. Most jargon is defined in the beginning, which makes it easier for readers to stay on point. Because most ideas are only conceptualized, the beginning of the book is also tedious to get through. Hayes makes our journey through her book as easy as possible with illustrations, explanations, and clear language.
"By travelling through the personal, we can find spirit in the heart of self." This is a great way of explaining, in Hayes's own words, what "transpersonal" dance movement psychotherapy is. It begins with looking through own experiences and feelings, understanding them on a deeper level and using that understanding to connect the body and the soul. Transpersonal dance movement psychotherapy is necessary to reflect upon oneself, to see what archetype one fits at that moment and change it if it is broken or if it pushed him or her to do things they are not proud of. It is necessary to look inside and see the problem before it is possible to take the journey to its solution.
Hayes, J. (2013). Soul and Spirit in Dance Movement Psychotherapy. London: Jessica Kingsley Publications.
Paperback. ISBN: 978-1-84905-308-2. 224 pages. Includes bibliographical references and index.
As we know, the original function of fear was an adaptive one, as it prevented us from recklessly entering dangerous
situations, and thereby increasing our chances of survival. Lawrence E. Hedges' Overcoming Our Relationship Fears revolves around the idea that fear can also be maladaptive and emotionally unhealthy. According to Hedges, unresolved trauma or negative experiences in our childhood emerge in the form of fear within the individual's mind, which then manifests itself through the body. Since most individuals subconsciously choose not to confront these fears, the fears often remain ingrained within the individual's thought patterns, perceptions, and body. As long as the fear is allowed to reside within the individual, it feeds and controls various negative patterns. With 40 years of experience as a psychotherapist, Hedges comprehensively describes and lays out seven most common fears that individuals experience, allowing readers to gain awareness of their fears before taking the necessary steps to understand and confront them. As explained by Hedges, the "Seven Deadly Fears" are as follows: the Fear of Being Alone, the Fear of Connecting, the Fear of Being Abandoned, the Fear of Self-Assertion, the Fear of Lack of Recognition, the Fear of Failure and Success, and the Fear of Being Fully Alive.
Hedges begins by describing his own harrowing experience on the day of the 9/11 attack, when his daughter called
him from the site of the attack. Hedges recalls how he turned on the TV, and witnessed the second attack live, while knowing
that his daughter was close to the scene. The intense helplessness and fear he encountered caused him to begin reliving
other similarly traumatic and painful experiences buried in his past, and he observed this pattern emerge in his patients and
those around him who were equally affected by 9/11. At this point, Hedges began to understand the natural human tendency
to lump together new experiences and relationships with old, unresolved conflicts from the past. Unfortunately, this common tendency proves to be unhealthy not only for the individual but for the relationships surrounding him. Hedges discovered that understanding the old trauma in the context of one's current experience frees us from the insidious grip of fear. Finally, Hedges had an epiphany, in which he realized that both the mind and the body are equally involved in the individual's various relationships, especially as it pertains to fear (whether manifested consciously or unconsciously). One of the important techniques covered in the book is the daily use of the "Aliveness Monitor," through which individuals gain a greater understanding of what triggers their fear reflex, how long it is maintained, and how easily it is released. This process leads to the second stage, "Touching Base with Your Body." Paying attention to one's automatic fear responses is emphasized as the first step towards ultimately releasing the fear responses, resulting in a healthier life experience.
The book also comes with a voluminous workbook full of detailed explanations and exercises for each of the "Seven Deadly Fears". Readers are encouraged to use the Aliveness Journal, through which they can further explore their BMR connection. The journal includes prompts such as, "Recall experiences of being devalued," and "Experience having your real self acknowledged." At the end of each section are affirming passages that are read aloud. Again, these exercises are specific to the individual's specific fear(s), allowing for an individually relevant strategy.
Hedges, L.E. (2012). Overcoming Our Relationship Fears. New York: Free Psychotherapy Books.
Paperback. ISBN: 197 pages. Bibliography and index included.
From chapter to chapter, readers are welcomed with an intimate and unique story demonstrating the true power of love. The chapters range in format from first-person narratives of a few pages to extensive and structured interviews. Hoyt inserts his own chapter, Road Trip, in which he recalls being stranded in the middle of a desolate road at night with his father, following an engine failure. After hours of waiting and attempting to get help, a truck driver finally offers them help, inspiring Hoyt and his father to do the same for the next stranger in need of help. Hoyt's seemingly simple story is a powerful reminder of the incredible potential behind random acts of kindness.
In another chapter, Up The Hurry Stairs, Tobey Hiller describes with striking detail the progression of one of her clients, a mother suffering from bipolar disorder. As Hiller bears witness to her client's incredible progress, she writes about being overcome with feelings of gratitude towards her client and her profession for helping her "encounter again the best reasons for pleasure in being human: the unexpected, indeed almost miraculous, capacity for change, for tectonic movement, where none has been expected" (p. 133).
In the last chapter, Themes and Lessons: The Invitation Revisited, Hoyt identifies the common themes and messages he hopes readers have received from the various stories, including the importance of the therapeutic connection, feeling and passion, curiosity and the willingness to be open, hard work, words and creativity, humor, service, and of course, the inescapable power of love.
Currently a senior staff psychologist at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Michael F. Hoyt, Ph.D. is an internationally acclaimed clinician, professor, author and editor. He is a Woodrow Wilson Fellow, recipient of the prestigious APF Cummings Psyche Prize, and has been named Continuing Education Distinguished Speaker by both the American Psychological Association and the International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors.
Hoyt, M. F. (Ed.) (2013). Therapist Stories of Inspiration, Passion & Renewal: What's Love Got To Do With It? New York: Taylor & Francis.
Paperback. ISBN: 978-0-415-50084-5. 295 pp. References included.
People used their sense organs to understand the world around them more frequently and as a means of survival. Today, we do not have to use our senses as much to fend for ourselves, because of society's implements that protect us. In fact, in order to achieve goals, we ignore signals from our body, and instead engage in goal pursuit based on higher-order motives. However, we still have this sensory intelligence, and this truth begs the question, what is the purpose of engaging somatic intelligence today? In her book Awakening Somatic Intelligence: The Art and Practice of Embodied Meditation, Risa F. Kaparo, PhD provides an answer to this question, claiming that somatic experiencing engenders freedom, happiness, compassion, and love, or, in other words, feeling alive. It also aids healing from traumatic physical and psychological injuries.
Kaparo discusses a practice called Somatic Learning, where, through practice, we can "turn urgency into gravity," or, in other words, transforming an "urgency" such as stress, pain, or trauma into an awakening, living in the present, and living into the unknown. She emphasizes the fact that the present is all we have, so we must use it for learning and transformation. Fostering our somatic intelligence, she claims, helps us enjoy life to the fullest through awakening, and leads to empowerment. Often, individuals who are in a state of pain are the ones who seek help; they want freedom from the state they are in and are more likely to value empowerment and a high quality of life, since an experience characterized by suffering is essentially the opposite. Most importantly, she is adamant in her emphasis on the value of changing pain, or order, permanently, instead of simply providing temporary relief.
Part I introduces somatic learning. It is something that we are born with, and if we are currently disconnected from it, we have the ability to reclaim it. Kaparo explains her discovery of somatic learning and how her initial interest in this area was sparked, after a pelvic injury and enduring overwhelming pain. A reader with no previous knowledge about or experience with somatic experiencing is able to relate to her perspective during this phase of her life. Even though intense pain is traumatic and generally unwanted, this pain energized Kaparo's discovery of somatic experiencing. Curiosity and experimentation lead Kaparo to experience somatic awareness, which was ultimately the fundamental agent of her recovery. In this section she also shares other healing stories and personal accounts.
Part II discusses breathing, the core of all somatic meditations that lead to somatic learning. She begins by explaining human anatomy and the lymphatic system in relation to breathing, and then goes on to explain different breathing methods. She discusses bedtime practice, to remove noise from the day, facilitating deeper rest, as well as morning practice. In Part III, Kaparo offers somatic meditations that can be practiced with flexibility, anytime and anywhere. Part IV asserts how to deepen practice using touch. Touch can offer feedback that increases awareness and helps create space.
Humans, as Kaparo describes us, are self-sensing, self-organizing, and self-renewing. We are "evolutionary and intelligent," and must confront every dimension of our nature. This book provides a theoretical framework for somatic experiencing, but the somatic experiencing itself is defined by the individual's practice and experience, and grounded in embracing the present.
Kaparo, R.F. (2012). Awakening Somatic Intelligence: The Art and Practice of Embodied Mindfulness. Berkely, CA: North Atlantic Books.
Paperback. ISBN: 978-1-58394-417-2. 218 pages. Includes Index
Series: Interview conducted by B.J. Whelan: (Total Running Time: 00:22:04.)
This DVD, part of the Somatic Experiencing Master Class Series is designed to support SE participants and practitioners in expanding and refining their SE skills and knowledge base. It is only available to Somatic Experiencing Practitioners. In this DVD Peter A. Levine, PhD, developer of SE, takes an in-depth look into one of the key concepts of the SE model,
"Coupling Dynamics." Interviewed by Brian J. Whelan, LCSW, CST, SEP, Levine explores and demystifies undercoupling, overcoupling, and interoceptive conditioning using specific case examples and practical explanations of how best to work with each state. As Levine underscores, practitioners must work with precision when working with patients and just titrating is not enough. "Coupling dynamics," as interviewer Whelan points out at the onset, can be a difficult concept for students to grasp. This DVD does an excellent job of explaining the dynamic relationship between undercoupling and overcoupling, and states that going back and forth between both states is often necessary to unlock interoceptive conditioning. This short and informative DVD is divided into four parts: 'Introduction', 'Overcoupling'; 'Undercoupling' and 'Interoceptive Conditioning'.
Levine first takes on overcoupling, which he describes as relatively simple to understand. To elucidate the concept he uses as a case example someone who has a panic attack whenever they smell alcohol on someone's breath. (Levine, for simplicity's sake, shrewdly refers to this example later in the DVD when discussing interoceptive conditioning.) He takes viewers through a likely sequence of events beginning with smelling alcohol on someone's breath, then tightening of the muscles in the neck, tightening of the jaw, to feeling heaviness in the chest, which leads to difficulty breathing, and then to picturing an inebriated uncle entering the room. Levine carefully points out that any element of an overcoupling sequence can bring about a panic attack (e.g., if this person tightens their jaw for some reason it can cause the same loop to perpetuate and result in a panic attack). Consequently any element of the sequence can be used to do the work. He may begin by asking the person to slowly open and close their jaw. Using saltwater taffy as an analogy, Levine depicts the need to slowly stretch out any part of the sequence in order to help the patient to break the loop so it cannot keep feeding on itself. He points out that SEPs can work with tensional sensations, images or thought: any element can be overcoupled.
The elusive undercoupling dynamic is explored next. To shed light on this dynamic, Levine describes the body's response to threat. Levine explains that the body's response to threat and stress is first to tighten to constrict; in preparation for the flight and fight response. If that fails, when we fear we are facing mortal threat, the body collapses, goes numb and disassociates. This is an example of the undercoupling dynamic. Using the frozen shoulder of a fireman as an example, (a case which should be familiar to SE practitioners from his books), Levine describes how best to work with this dynamic. He begins by passively moving the fireman's arm. He then asks the fireman to move his own arm as much as he can before he encounters any pain. This is done several times and eventually to the fireman's astonishment, his arm goes all the way out and sweat covers his forehead. The fireman then knew what was behind his frozen shoulder. The fireman recalled the details of an accident: rushing to a car that had crashed into a pole outside a supermarket; reaching into the car to turn off the ignition as he had been trained to do; and seeing a child in the passenger seat who was horribly injured. Levine said it was the extreme conflict between reaching into the car to turn off the ignition and the impulse to recoil in horror and to pull his arm out. In order to overcome that, his shoulder had become disconnected from the rest of his body. Levine adds that this is what Robert Scaer MD refers to as somatic disassociation. The disassociated state is undercoupled. To work with this, Levine helps the person to allow the parts to come back together. Levine states that with this work there is often a release of energy and the patient needs time to integrate that because often the energy does not all release at once. In these situations, Levine will ask his patient to wait in the waiting room for an hour or so after their work together and he checks in with them before they leave since more and more energy can continue to release. Levine says that this is very important not only in understanding the concept of overcoupling and undercoupling but also in understanding the amount of energy that is bound in the undercoupled and the overcoupled configuration. Very often the SE work involved is to go back and forth between overcoupled and undercoupled states - as energy is released.
Interoceptive conditioning is explored last. The person molested or raped by their inebriated uncle is again called upon as illustration. The person tries to pull away but they are overwhelmed. Now when the person sees someone who reminds them of the uncle or smells alcohol, the body tenses and this signals to the brain that there is a threat. The unconditioned response is the rape or molestation itself; the conditioned stimulus is the tension in the muscle. Every time the person has a tension in the muscle, that tension goes to the brain and says "threat." The brain sees threat and the muscle tightens even more. The tension pattern becomes locked. The SE practitioner learns to uncouple the interoceptive sequence in the same way as described in the overcoupling sequence. Levine goes on to explore this phenomenon citing other cases he has treated. He feels that this is very important to master, especially working with people with fibromyalgia or any kind of gastro-intestinal disorder (spastic colon syndromes). He cautions that conditioned responses in the viscera are very difficult to change. With visceral interoceptive conditioning it is critical to work slowly and carefully. The same is true with asthma: it is critical to work slowly and gently because if the person is overwhelmed, and too much energy is released, they can easily have an asthma attack. What Levine attempts to do is change the sequence, before it triggers the asthma attack, then the whole feedback loop begins to change - and therein lies what the work is attempting to do. As Levine emphasizes, the SEP needs to do precise work with these syndromes. This DVD should be incredibly helpful to SEPs wanting a deeper understanding of these concepts.
Levine, P.A. (2013). "Coupling Dynamics." SE Master Class DVD Series: Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute.
Key words: Somatic Experiencing, trauma, overcoupling, undercoupling, interoceptive conditioning, titrating.
The Heart and Soul of Psychology: A Transpersonal Approach through Theater Arts goes on to demonstrate the practical use of Transpersonal Drama Psychotherapy by Linden's students in an immense range of populations and settings. Linden's fundamental goal through these exemplifications is to solidify drama therapy as an effective and meaningful form of psychotherapy, through which spiritual healing and education can indeed reach both individuals and communities in all walks of life. Additionally, psychotherapists can develop an understanding of these techniques, their implementations, and future uses./div>
Linden begins by chronicling her own journey into reaching her divinity and how this precipitated an expansion of experimental theater and creative arts therapy. A significant portion of the book focuses on the transpersonal aspect of drama therapy, providing details of the traditions which affected this view the most. The influences of Sufism, namely the use of breathing and the principle that reconnection with the essential Self will lead to the realization of strength and wisdom, thus evoking healing, are given special attention, as is the influence of Carl Gustav Jung's active imagination and access of the imaginal world. This proves crucial to the reader's understanding of Transpersonal Drama Psychotherapy and describes the transformation that occurs within the patient as a result of it. Linden emphasizes the spiritual and transpersonal nature of this drama psychotherapy and firmly establishes its potential for universal success. She does so by referring to previous cases of drama therapy utilized in the early 1900s, its establishment as a field in the 1970s, and its dramatic growth and development since that time.
The precepts of Transpersonal Drama Psychotherapy are causal to its rapid spread across a broad range of patients and environments. Because of the willingness of Linden's students to explore new dimensions of drama therapy, many forms of role-playing have been employed, as well as other symbolic approaches, including using music and rhythm. As this diversity of media is expanded upon through further use of Transpersonal Drama Psychotherapy and in collaboration with dance and poetry therapies, the array of potential patients for this treatment will inevitably expand as well. More importantly, however, is that Linden's students have already established its effectiveness in both private and community practices. The flexibility of Transpersonal Drama Psychotherapy is detailed through demonstrations of its use with specific cases in private settings, as well as in couple sessions, with families and children, in therapy groups, and even in larger communities such as church, hospital, refugee camp, and inner city youth communities. The healers involved in drama psychotherapy can also be dynamic in their methods of treatment, as with two of Linden's students who became hospital clowns to treat sick children and their families. Not surprisingly, drama therapy has been shown to improve the health and artistry of actors as well, and has grown into a useful tool for those in the field of the performing arts. This adaptability allows psychotherapists to take Transpersonal Drama Psychotherapy in a variety of directions, as suited to their own concentrations or to the needs of individual patients.
The drama therapy discipline, and particularly the methodology utilized in Linden's Transpersonal Drama Psychology, is shown to be an interesting new domain in which psychotherapists can attempt novel therapeutic approaches when aiding traumatized patients. The Heart and Soul of Psychotherapy: A Transpersonal Approach through Theater Arts is a collection of works which provides a comprehensive overview of this topic that sufficiently introduces it and the spiritual traditions that guide it. In addition, the numerous case studies and applications of drama psychotherapy invoke inspiration into innovative strategies through which therapists can engage and aid their patients. These applications also serve to authenticate the success of drama therapy by demonstrating its effectiveness on hundreds of people of different age, gender, socioeconomic status, and health condition. Thus, this book is a reliable guide to the distinctions of Transformational Drama Psychotherapy for its readers and decisively recognizes drama therapy as a valuable form of psychotherapy.
Linden, S.B. (2013). The Heart and Soul of Psychotherapy: A Transpersonal Approach through Theater Arts. Trafford Publishing.
Paperback. ISBN: 978-1-4669-7335-0. 511 pages. Index included.
Key words: creative arts therapy, psychodrama, drama therapy, transformational theater, transpersonal psychotherapy.
Meares, R. (2012). Borderline Personality Disorder and the Conversational Model. New York: W.W. Norton & Co.
Reviewed by: Nataliya Rubinchik, Hunter College.
Russell Meares and co-authors worked together to publicize how the conversational model can help patients overcome many symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD) through therapy. The conversational model aims to correct "distortions of habitual maladaptive forms of relatedness," or the disturbance in their "sense of personal existence." Both therapeutic content in and form of conversation between a patient and a therapist are required in order to hope to reconnect the patient's self.
Meares put together Borderline Personality Disorder and the Conversational Model as a companion book to A Dissociation Model of Borderline Personality Disorder, the manual physicians use to treat BPD. It is written in an organized fashion. Each chapter is broken down to describe the role of the conversational model in treating BPD. Individual studies add substance and explain further how symptoms of BPD can be treated and what hindrances can exist in treating individual cases. Meares concedes that a problem with this manual is the fact that tone, which is one of the most important factors of conversation, cannot be relayed on paper, thus leaving the reader with the responsibility "to read with this caveat in mind.
This book is intended to be read by clinicians, psychologists, or other professionals in healthcare and psychology. With its numerous examples and well-organized chapters, this book is easy to understand even for someone who is only beginning his or her career in psychology. Jargon is defined and an example is given so that anyone who is interested would understand what is being said.
In order for readers to see how the conversational model successfully works in treating symptoms of BDP, Meares wants readers to view BPD as a state in which "chronic dysphoric feelings of emptiness and boredom prevail, and the "broken-upness" and disconnection of psychic life are aspects of a persisting and subtle disconnectedness in ordinary relationships." Since Meares attributes BPD to a disconnectedness between "self and other" and the psychic life, it is easier to see how intimate therapeutic conversations with a therapist could help patients overcome many of their negative feelings, which in turn helps treat many symptoms of borderline personality disorder.
This book serves as a general guide for how the conversation model can be used to treat patients with borderline personality disorder. It includes examples from therapy sessions with various patients and addresses general and individual issues that therapists can be met with while working with various patients. Transcripts help the reader put him or herself in the shoes of both the patient and the clinician, graphs and charts help to illustrate the authors' main points. In addition, this book takes the reader back to when BPD was only becoming acknowledged as a disorder and to when the conversational model was only an idea. Including different case studies also helps to support the authors' argument that the conversational model is successful in treating many symptoms of BPD.
For example, a three-year study was conducted beginning in 1983 that used the first year as a control year to measure BPD symptoms of each of thirty patients, the second year for treatment of symptoms through the conversational model therapy, and the third year to follow-up with patients and compare the severity of their symptoms to prior to treatment. It was found that treating BPD with the conversational model significantly decreased symptoms as "the number of episodes of self-harm dropped to less than a quarter of their previous occurrence; violence dropped nearly the same amount; drugs, both prescribed and illicit, were used at only 13% of the previous rate; and time away from work fell by two-thirds.
Patients who are borderline tend to have experienced trauma in their lives, often abuse at a younger age, and require a safe place to deal with these issues with their therapist. Therapists have to be careful not to push patients deeper into emotional trauma during their conversations, a potential problem with the conversational model. Therapists also have the responsibility of helping patients find the self, a "reflective awareness of inner events," in order to later reestablish a connection between the self, the patient, and the outside world through therapeutic conversation.
Written in a coherent manner, Borderline Personality Disorder and the Conversational Model is a good tool to go to when researching how to treat symptoms of BPD. It is organized and each subsection supports the point that is being made. Meares and his co authors are not afraid to state issues that currently exist in their research. Further analyses should still be done on the conversational model, but what is known can be read in Meares' work.
Meares, R. (2012). Borderline Personality Disorder and the Conversational Model. New York; W.W. Norton, & Co.
Paperback. IBSN: 978-0-393-70783-0. 313 pages. Includes biographical references.
Key words: borderline personality disorder, conversation, therapy, disconnectedness of self
Meichenbaum, D. (2012). Roadmap to Resilience: A Guide for Military, Trauma Victims and Their Families. Clearwater, FL: Institute Press.
Reviewed by: Julie Y.A. Cachia, New York University.
In Roadmap to Resilience: A Guide for Military, Trauma Victims and Their Families by Donald Meichenbaum, resilience is defined as "the capacity to adapt successfully in the presence of risk and adversity." With over 40 years of experience as a clinical psychologist, Meichenbaum has accumulated a profound understanding of how trauma can affect individuals and their families. This book emphasizes the fact that, in the aftermath of trauma, it is possible for people to heal and build closer connections with themselves and those around them.
Meichenbaum begins his book by explaining the concept of resilience, and presents an abundance of research findings that reveal the incredible capacity for civilians, service members and their family members to adapt to adversity. These findings encourage hope and inspiration in the reader before the techniques themselves are introduced.
The majority of the book examines resilience and fitness in six major areas: Physical Fitness, Interpersonal Fitness, Emotional Fitness, Thinking (or Cognitive) Fitness, Behavioral Fitness, and Spiritual Fitness. Evidently, the book explores a wide range of topics in relation to "fitness," resulting in a comprehensive guide for a wide trauma-affected audience. As an example, readers learn how to improve sleep, monitor alcohol consumption, build a more optimistic outlook, practice mindfulness, use breathing exercises, and decrease destructive cycles of rumination. In the section on spirituality, Meichenbaum encourages "personal connection with meaning and purpose in your life through something greater than yourself," in order to enhance resilience, whether this be through a set of personal values or a religious belief in a higher power. As such, the book remains respectful and accepting of each individual's choice of spirituality.
Each chapter includes Quotable Quotes from returning service members and civilians, illustrating the extent to which an action can change people's lives. There are also Hinge Questions, which are questions that promote self-understanding, personal growth, and well-being. Finally, chapters also come with Useful information, which are sections that provide explanations as to why certain actions or behavioral changes can boost resilience. They also provide resources such as relevant websites, agencies, and hotline telephone numbers.
As outlined by Meichenbaum in the introduction, this book can be approached in various ways. Some may find it more convenient to skip to specific areas of resilience that they want to focus on, whereas others who do not have such specific targets may enjoy reading it cover to cover in order to explore various concepts. Another approach is to skip to the appendixes at the very back of the book. There are two appendixes, Appendix A and Appendix B. Appendix A lists out all the 101 ways to enhance resilience, and is organized by type of "fitness," along with page numbers for details. Appendix B is slightly more general, as it provides a list of How-To subjects organized alphabetically. Both of these appendixes are incredibly practical for those who know what they want out of the book. The various ways in which this book can be approached allows flexibility and grants the reader great freedom in deciding what works best for them. In fact, beyond the approach itself, the book also allows readers to create their own individualized toolkit based on what they feel is most effective for them. As Meichenbaum points out, "There are many different pathways to resilience and what works best for one individual may not work for someone else."
The steps outlined in this book are also practical in that they can be implemented immediately, which helps quickly effectuate the change that readers seek. At the same time, however, readers are allowed to take the necessary amount of time in processing their negative memories and experiences, thereby engaging in constructive grieving. It is evident that Meichenbaum recognizes the importance of processing these unresolved emotions in order to arrive to a healthier state of being.
By far, the book's greatest strength lies in its organization, rendering it easy to use and navigate. Moreover, it is exhaustive in that it explores a vast number of techniques, from meditation and mindfulness to healthy food choices and exercise. However, this very asset may prove to be a hindrance for those who are interested in delving deeper into the specific techniques. In this case, readers would have to turn to a different source in order to explore specific concepts in greater depth. All in all, Roadmap to Resilience is a great foundation for individuals who are lost in their traumatic experience, and in this sense, it truly is a "Roadmap to Resilience."
Meichenbaum, D. (2012). Roadmap to Resilience: A Guide for Military, Trauma Victims and Their Families. Clearwater, FL: Institute Press,
Paperback. ISBN: 978-096988402-6. 207 pages. References included.
Key words: trauma, military, resilience, PTSD, physical, emotional, interpersonal, cognitive, behavioral, spiritual
Mullainaithan, S. & Shafir, E. (2013). Scarcity: Why Having Too Little Means So Much. New York: Henry Holt & Co.
Reviewed by: Nataliya Rubinchik, Hunter College.
The first lesson of every Economics 101 class is "scarcity," in other words, having to make choices because of finite resources. Sendhil Mullainathan and Eldar Shafir wrote Scarcity: Why Having Too Little Means So Much for the purpose of relating the biggest lesson in economics to one universal problem that persists in society. Mullainathan and Shafir begin their lesson with the words, "We wrote this book because we were too busy not to." At first glace, this statement doesn't make sense, but in reading just a few more paragraphs their dilemma becomes clear - people always want more than they could possibly have.
Psychology and economics have only recently come together to create a new field called behavioral economics. When economics was first being studied, it was done so through psychology. However, as the study of economics developed, its theories became good at estimating numbers only if things go as we assume. The purpose of behavioral economics is to bring back life to consumer choices, making economic analysis more realistic rather than based solely on theories. But because psychology and economics go hand it hand, it is possible to observe how economic ideas factor daily life. Scarcity is a problem that is seen in both psychology and economics.
"Scarcity changes the mind," write Mullainathan and Shafir. Whether we're wishing we had more time, more food, more friends, or more money, the object of our desire becomes our only priority forcing us to orient our lives around our obsessions. The authors of Scarcity cite a number of studies that were conducted on hungry, thirsty, poor, and lonely participants to support their theory that the feeling of scarcity leads our actions. They then go on to explain just how scarcity captures the mind, sometimes focusing it to help us make good decisions yet other times burdening it, taking attention away from other important things. "It costs us: we neglect other concerns, and we become less effective in the rest of life."
Why do most people wait until the last minute to work on their projects? Scarcity is the answer. We may have ideas circling around in our mind, but it often takes the pressure of the last minute, having a scarcity of time, in order to put everything together into one coherent thought. Constraints force us to act quickly and make the best decisions possible with what we have. Scarcity (time, money) is both the angel and the devil on our shoulder. When it feels far away, like we have what we want, the little devil might tempt us to misuse our resources. But when the pressure is hanging right over us the little angel keeps us on track, forcing us to make wiser choices with what we have.
Of course such focus can come at a price, as Mullainathan and Shafir explain. When facing a scarcity, we focus entirely on the issue at hand, which may result in not seeing outside the box and expecting repercussions. The authors call this neglect of thought "tunneling," creating a frame around what has to be done and not seeing any other things. When we're a trade-off and both things are valuable and in the tunnel, we may think twice about what to give up. However, if our tunnel is so narrow that we only see the imminent deadline, we neglect things that we really value, that may be even more important than keeping up with our deadline.
Interdisciplinary theories are valuable because they allow multiple things to be explained in a new way. This book, written by a cognitive psychologist and a behavioral economist, reinterprets an economic idea in a psychological way to then use it to further understand human behavior. "It raises a new perspective on an age-old problem," using multiple fields to come up with one universal solution. Scarcity is written in easy language that is understandable to those who have no previous knowledge of economics or psychology but are just interested in learning a little bit more about themselves. Studies and anecdotes are used throughout to illustrate the authors' point and apply it to real life.
Each chapter is divided into subsections. The authors lead into each subsection by connecting the idea of that section briefly with the next and then moving on to the next section completely. This makes every term of their theory comprehendible, as each term has a section, which includes at least one example explaining clearly what they mean. In addition to just explaining their theory, the authors use their ideas to try to come up with a solution to the negative effects of scarcity, such as poverty. At the end of the book, Mullainathan and Shafir include a substantial Notes section, which they fill with studies they wrote about when demonstrating their ideas as well as studies that go further, in case the reader is
interested in learning more.
Scarcity: Why Having Too Little Means So Much is easy to read, full of interesting anecdotes and background information that add to the point, rather than steer the reader away. It is worthwhile for anyone who wants to learn a little more about human nature and about how to focus on the positives of the scarcities we face. After all, we're too busy not to.
Mullainaithan, S. & Shafir, E. (2013). Scarcity: Why Having Too Little Means So Much. New York: Henry Holt & Co.
Paperback. ISBN: 978-0-8050-2964-6. 288 pages. Includes bibliographical references and index.
Key words: scarcity, decisions, psychology, poverty
O'Hanlon, B. (2013). Becoming a Published Therapist: A Step-By-Step Guide to Writing Your Book. New York: W.W. Norton & Co.
Reviewed by: Rachel Vitale, New York University
Bill O'Hanlon did not start out as what one would consider to be a "natural writer". In fact, he had neither a clue nor desire to write a book worth publishing. This mindset was not derived from incompetence, but more from lack of guidance. No one had ever offered him any information on where to begin and he, due to his utter lack of interest, never bothered to seek assistance. Today, he has authored or co-authored over thirty-five books and published sixty articles or book chapters, which have been translated into sixteen different languages. His work has successfully sold hundreds of thousands of copies all around the world.
I'm sure there would be many questions running through a reader's mind after having read O'Hanlon's introduction: Why the sudden change of heart? How did he go from clueless to clued-in? It wasn't that O'Hanlon didn't have it in him to produce a published book-as one can clearly gather from his success-but more so that he hadn't a clue where to begin the process of both writing and publishing. It is because of this that he chose to write the guidebook, Becoming a Published
Therapist: A Step-By-Step Guide to Writing Your Book. This book serves as exactly what it claims to be: a step-by-step guide to becoming a published author. It is comprised of seven chapters, along with a CD-ROM that includes worksheets, audio files, and videos to accompany the book. Quirky little illustrations at the beginning of each chapter add to the book's charm.
This guide is as much about O'Hanlon's background as an inexperienced writer as it is about how one should go about publishing his or her own book. It is because of the author's past experience as a non-writer that his advice is so useful. Not only are his guidelines useful, but the tone he takes throughout the book is relatable to anyone striving-yet too timid-to pick up the pen and go. He is incredibly concise and well-organized throughout the guidebook. Brief summaries of what was just covered are included at the end of each chapter. There are sample texts included here and there, some that have actually been published. The author has even sprinkled short fill-in the blank activities here and there for readers to really engage with the material. This forces readers to not only lock into the lesson O'Hanlon is trying to teach, but practice, which is a very important concept in terms of writing. The book is not terribly long. One could potentially finish it in one sitting. But reading from front to back is not mandatory with the given format; the reader has the freedom to skip around from section to section.
This book speaks to therapists who wish to publish nonfiction, although some instruction might overlap with fiction work, O'Hanlon makes it clear that fiction is an entirely different dance that he has not dared to tango with. Not only does he simply lay out rules to follow, he also motivates readers to actually want to write their book. I can guarantee that even readers, who like O'Hanlon originally, have no desire to write whatsoever, will have a few sparks flying after putting this book down. "One can, I understand, have a perfectly fine life without writing or publishing a book. I had one for twenty-five years before my first book came out. Now, after more than thirty books, I can barely remember life before having been published." O'Hanlon is not intentionally persuasive in his language regarding the status of a published author, but he does make you wonder.
O'Hanlon, B. (2013). Becoming a Published Therapist: A Step-By-Step Guide to Writing Your Book. New York: W.W. Norton & Co.
Paperback. ISBN: 978-0-393-70810-3. 192 pages.
Ortner, N. (2013). The Tapping Solution: A Revolutionary System for Stress-Free Living. Carlsbad, CA: Hay House, Inc.
Reviewed by: Julie Y.A. Cachia, New York University.
At first glance, Nick Ortner's The Tapping Solution: A Revolutionary System for Stress-Free Living seems too good to be true:
a simple tapping technique that claims to solve a wide variety of problems in one fell swoop, from anxiety to unhealthy food
cravings. Perhaps having predicted this reaction from his readers, Ortner provides a plethora of real-life cases in which
individuals with various physical and emotional difficulties use the tapping technique to go above and beyond recovery. On
top of these real-life examples, Ortner dedicates Chapter 1: A Monumental Discovery to explaining the recent scientific
findings that support the legitimacy of this process. Indeed, it quickly becomes clear that "tapping" is not only legitimate, but
also unquestionably effective. Also known as Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), "tapping" combines Chinese acupressure and modern psychology, targeting eight meridian points on the head and upper body to remedy a vast number of problems.
From the first page, Ortner's enthusiasm about the effectiveness of "tapping" is contagious. He begins by recalling his
first encounter with "tapping," which eventually led to his documentary film The Tapping Solution as well as this book. Thanks to his vivacious writing style, his book is easy to read, and caters to a wide audience. In Chapter 2: Quick Start: Experience Tapping Now, Ortner dives into the actual technique behind "tapping" by breaking down the process into clear parts. As early as the second chapter, readers gain direct experience with the effect of "tapping." The rest of the chapters delve deeper into how this practice can be useful, and targets various problems more specifically.
As previously mentioned, "tapping" targets a wide array of both physical and emotional issues. Specifically, Ortner decides to dedicate individual chapters on curing physical pain (Chapter 7: Releasing Physical Pain), weight loss (Chapter 8: Losing Weight and Letting Go of Fear, Guilt, and Shame Around Food), finding love (Chapter 9: Creating Love and Healthy Relationships), attaining financial abundance (Chapter 10: Making Money and Achieving Your Dreams), and overcoming fears (Chapter 11: Eliminating Phobias and Fears). As evidenced by the organized categorization of these various areas, this book is easy to navigate, especially for readers with a specific concern in mind.
At its surface, "tapping" provides immediate relief from recurring symptoms such as pain and food cravings. However, the true power of this book lies beyond its temporary remedial effects. Instead of "tapping" away these minor problems every time they resurface (which is certainly an option), Ortner also gently guides readers towards profound self-discovery in order to access and solve the root cause of their symptoms. Often, readers are not even aware that there even is a fundamental struggle underlying these symptoms, and as a result, this discovery process proves to be incredibly enlightening for those individuals. Chapter 5: Tapping Through Your Past, explores traumatic childhood experiences in order to gain more insight into oneself. The fact that negative experiences from as far back as childhood can so profoundly yet subconsciously manifest themselves during adulthood in the form of physical or emotional pain is itself an important and enlightening discovery.
As a perfect illustration of this hierarchy, Ortner uses The Tapping Tree: the most superficial layer, the leaves, represent the externally manifested Symptoms such as weight issues, PTSD, and procrastination. Under these Symptoms lie the Emotions, as depicted by the branches. These Emotions, of course, include guilt, remorse, fear, stress, etc. Under these Emotions lie the Events, which can range from physical punishment to abandonment in childhood. These Events are represented by the trunk of the tree. Finally, underneath the Symptoms, Emotions, and Events, lie the Limiting Beliefs, which are make up the roots of the tree and therefore, ultimately of everything that grows from the tree. Limiting Beliefs are deeply engrained belief systems that are destructive in nature, such as "I'm not worthy," or "I can't do anything right.
At its core, "tapping" is not a difficult technique. (In fact, one may argue that its simplicity is what makes it so appealing.) Regardless, Ortner's book is a helpful read because it presents the history and science behind the technique, anticipates possible obstacles such as resistance to change, and leads to a deeper sense of self-awareness that in turn sheds light on deeply-rooted issues. For those who are curious about the technique, this book will give them the necessary confidence to explore it fully for themselves, while experts in the field of EFT may find this book to be informative and helpful in improving their own practice.
Ortner, N. (2013). The Tapping Solution: A Revolutionary System for Stress-Free Living. Carlesbad, CA: Hay House, Inc.
Hardcover. ISBN: 978-1-4019-3941-0. 229 pages. Index and Resources included.
Key words: tapping, solution, EFT, change, anxiety, body
Parravani, C. (2013). Her. New York: Henry Hold & Co.
Reviewed by Nataliya Rubinchik, Hunter College.
Her, a memoir by Christa Parravani, tells a story of a twin who lost her sister and herself, and yet managed to come out the other side alive. This narrative of the life and loss of twins is a important addition to psychological literature. Identical twins live not just their own lives, but the lives of their sibling as well. Thoughts, memories, entire lives become a jumble. This is why when one twin dies, the other becomes lost and sometimes turns into this lost sibling through their shared looks and memories.
After Cara died from an overdose, Christa felt obligated to follow in her sister's footsteps and somehow become her." One twin goes and the other must follow. The big temptation after my sister died was to overdose or shoot myself. I got ready to die... I turned myself into Cara. I wanted to chase my sister into the afterlife." Despite this desire, she lived and went on to tell her through writing, beginning with this novel. "Cara had begun her own memoir. No one can finish it... With my findings, I've patched together our tale."
As Christa tells her readers, there is a fifty-fifty chance that a twin will die within two years of their sibling's death. Christa survived, carrying with her the memories of her sister, which she created into a truly inspirational novel worth reading. Her gives readers the ability to see deep into the relationship between twins and to feel the happiness and pain that comes from such intimacy. "My fall would be her pleasure, not because she didn't love me, but because she did - she wanted me for herself..." Readers will find themselves looking at life through Christa and Cara's eyes, gazing into what hardships accompany being part of a broken family and being a twin.
The Parravani tale begins with their conception, of course, which led indirectly to the breaking of their family. They grew up with Mom and mom's boyfriend, a life that many readers will, unfortunately, be able to relate to. Christa tells the story of the twin's childhood and adolescence with the help of Cara's journals. When pieced together, every sentence of every chapter, even when it does not come from the same person, makes perfect sense. We read about Cara's rape, the turning point of their lives, in Cara's own words straight from her journal. She addresses herself in third person, seemingly wishing to separate the girl who was assaulted from herself, which in turn allows the reader to connect with her on a deeper level. The rape catapults Cara into a short life of drugs, post-traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, rehab, and depression.
And when Cara dies, we take a new journey next to Christa, who is battling her inner desire to die or to disappear... to become Cara and at the same time, be her exact opposite. Her addresses a psychological variety of issues: how an identical twin lives in respect to the other; how one can survive having lost his or her half; loss; grief; drugs; survival. "While she was alive I was vibrant... I was her opposite. In the wake of Cara's death I became her.
Her is impossible to put down until the very end. Christa takes her readers on an emotional roller coaster, which at times makes the novel seem like a perfectly written work of fiction, but the raw emotion behind every word reminds the reader that this is possible. In fact, Christa meets a therapist who was experiencing the same loss and grief over a twin as she was, making the world seem a little smaller because loss of a twin, while not the same, can be related to losing a family member or a friend. As Christa says, "It was difficult to appreciate the ocean without my twin; to see the world apart from her was to be there only by half.
Parravani, C. (2013). Her. New York: Henry Hold & Co.
Paperback. ISBN: 978-0-8050-9653-8. 308 pages.
Key Terms: twin, biography, loss, drugs
Prengel, S. & Somerstein, L. (Eds.) (2013). Defining Moments For Therapists. New York: LifeSherpa.
Reviewed by: Julie Y.A. Cachia, New York University.
Eleven psychotherapists come together to share their accounts of personal epiphanic discoveries in Defining Moments For Therapists, edited by Serge Prengel and Lynn Somerstein. Behind each of these stories lies a unifying concept- that therapists are not merely neutral beings during psychotherapy, but that they experience personal growth and transformation as a result of their relationship with clients. In Prengel's words, "therapy is an intersubjective experience: It is not just that interacting with a client happens to affect the therapist; it is actually very much part of what makes therapy work" (p. 156).
In her introduction, Somerstein explains that the book was born out of her realization that her training in both yoga and psychoanalysis could be combined to create a more effective mode of treatment, thereby creating an integrative approach to psychotherapy. Somerstein recalls her initial discomfort with the idea of integrating two separate practices, feeling "a little worried that the psychoanalytic police, the cops who live in my head, would tell [her] that a 'real' psychoanalyst would never do such a thing" (p. 1). However, speaking to Prengel led to the understanding that each form of therapy brings its own unique form of healing. Together, Prengel and Somerstein decided to create a compilation of "defining moments" experienced by other practicing psychotherapists, in which various epiphanies led to novel and improved approaches to therapy.
Aside from the Introduction and Afterword, written by Somerstein and Prengel respectively, every chapter is written by a different therapist. Each chapter therefore possesses a different voice and writing style, keeping the book refreshing and absorbing in its unique way. Regardless of their various core themes, all stories prove to be courageously intimate, some authors even deciding to share their own personal traumatic history. Each chapter is an inspiration in and of itself, touching on an eclectic range of concepts such as space, spirituality, lucid dreaming, and touch. Various modes of therapy are also explored, including body therapy, pre and perinatal psychology, art therapy, musical therapy, somatic psychology, among many others.
In one of the first few chapters, The Music of Awakening, Merle Molofsky speaks about her encounter with the power of music, and how it allows her to unveil her clients' true underlying needs and emotions by listening to the spontaneously occurring melody inside her head. From Sponge to Firm Container: A Therapist Grows in New York by Cheryl Dolinger Brown describes the challenge Brown faced as a budding psychotherapist when her relationship with her self-mutilating client led her to experience vicarious traumatization. She explains that attempting to soak up her client's pain through empathy, much like a "sponge" was not only painful but counterproductive. Eventually, as the title of her chapter suggests, she grows from this experience and succeeds in transforming her "sponge" approach to psychotherapy to a more effective and mutually beneficial "firm container". In yet another especially moving chapter, Soul Geisha, Linda Marks recounts her harrowing and life-threatening encounter with attempted rape and murder at the age of 16, an experience that ultimately inspires her to pursue psychotherapy as a profession. Although all writers face their own personal struggles, the focus is on improvements and personal growth, rendering the text invigoratingly optimistic overall.
Of the eleven who shared their stories, Mary Giuffra, Marjorie Rand, Linda Marks, and Claire Haiman are USABP members, including the co-editor Serge Prengel. Moreover, several chapters investigate the integration of somatic approaches, including Claire Haiman's chapter, An Extension of Everything Else We Do: Bringing Touch into an Integrated BodyMind Therapy.
Although this book seems to be oriented towards other practicing psychotherapists in order to inspire personal development and discoveries throughout their client-therapist relationships, it is an inspiring read for any reader - regardless of profession - who is interested in reading about those who have been able to turn obstacles into enlightening learning
experiences.
In order to make the book available to all who are interested, a formatted PDF version of the book has been made available for free download on the following website
here. Serge Prengel is also the host of "Creative Conversations" Audio Series for the United States Association for Body Psychotherapy, a series of informal interviews conducted monthly with various psychotherapists. Together, the diverse voices of Prengel's "Creative Conversations" offer a unique window into the soul of psychotherapy itself.
Prengel, S. & Somerstein, L. (Eds.) (2013). Defining Moments For Therapists. New York: LifeSherpa.
Paperback. ISBN: 978-1-892482-25-9. 160 pages. Bibliography included.
Key words: therapy, defining moment, psychotherapy, growth
Rabinor, R. (2002). A Starving Madness - Tales of hunger, hope and healing in psychotherapy. Carlsbad, CA: Gurze Books.
Reviewed by: Samah Ahmed Ikram, Mills College.
Judith Ruskay Rabinor's A Starving Madness -Tales of hunger, hope and healing in psychotherapy is a collection of touching stories that illustrate the relation that develops between an eating disorder patient and therapist. Rabinor focuses on eating disorders and body image disorders as she tries to understand the reasons they are caused. She argues that the reasons are multiple and are the symptoms of a deeper issue that must be excavated before the patient can feel relief. Robinor explains that a disorder could develop for a variety of reasons such as neglect and sexual abuse, the most common predictors. For Rabinor, the best source of expression is story telling. Each chapter centers around the stories of one of her patients (whose names have been disguised). Among them is a fifteen year old girl who suffers from anorexia, a woman in her fifties who secretly suffered from bulimia for more than ten years, a thirty year old compulsive eater traumatized by her childhood memories and, a patient who despite therapy remains anorexic. Also compelling are stories about a college aged woman and a man who battles over weight and struggles with compulsive exercise, sexual abuse, and self-mutilation.
The book includes quotations about self discovery and hope (The world breaks everyone, and afterwards some are strong in the broken places- Ernest Hemingway ). The act of telling personal experiences as stories helps some of her patients. Others create poems expressing their emotions without feeling as if they have been exposed. The poems and stories allow the therapist to cautiously penetrate defenses and provide empathy and guidance. This helps patients feel that they can trust the therapist who helps them understand their pain and enables them to begin their healing process. Rabinor also uses other psychotherapeutic methods such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), journal writing and guided imagery.
Rabinor provides a comprehensive guide for professionals in the field as well as those wanting to help themselves or a loved one with an eating disorder. The lack of medical terms and theories make the stories more accessible for those without a science background. Rabinor creates vivid images of therapy sessions and enables the reader to enter the otherwise confidential walls of a therapists office.
In addition, the personal anecdotes Rabinor reveals as she deals with each patient are insightful. The compassion she has and the deep thought and dedication she gives to each patient is extremely moving. She does not have one technique that she tries to use uniformly on all her patients but instead treats each one as an individual and guides them based on the problem they are trying to counter. She does this by delving into their history and exposure to events such as the interplay of familial, cultural, biological and psychological factors that she believes significantly contribute to the problem. However, Rabinor makes it clear that dealing with the root of an eating disorder can expose the patient to a lot of open wounds. Thus the process of healing requires a gradual buildup of trust and security between the patient and therapist.
The personal stories run through a sequence of events, from the reason why a patient came to therapy (whether forced by a parent or teacher because of their eating habits for example) to their self understanding of why they do it to understanding the root cause of their disorder. This gradual shift illustrates to readers the time it takes for a patient to reach some semblance of healing. The book is structured in a way that enables it to target not only professionals but also those who need a guide book as it allows one to vicariously step into the position of those in the book. It also makes clear the patience and dedication needed on the part of the therapist.
Overall, this book is easy to understand and a good reference. It could help parents become aware of eating disorders and the symptoms they should look out for and the steps they should avoid and those they should take to allow the healthy growth of their children.The language and style are creative and intriguing and create a desire to continue reading.
Rabinor, R. (2002). A Starving Madness: Tales of hunger, hope and healing in psychotherapy. Carlsbad, CA: Gurze Books,
Paperback, ISBN- 0936077417. 212 pp. References and index included .
Key words: eating disorders, body image disorders, psychodynamic psychotherapy, modification theory
Rabinor, J.R. (2012). Befriending Your Ex after Divorce: Making Life Better for You, Your Kids, and, Yes, Your Ex. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, Inc.
Reviewed by: Julie Y.A. Cachia, New York University.
Judith Ruskay Rabinor's Befriending Your Ex after Divorce: Making Life Better for You, Your Kids, and, Yes, Your Ex focuses on establishing and improving the ex-spousal relationship post-divorce. As a previously-divorced psychologist, Rabinor uses her professional experience as the backbone of her book, while at the same time drawing from her personal experience. She has also conducted her own research on the topic and has interviewed those in her close circle who have successfully befriended their ex-spouse prior to writing her book. The result is a comprehensive treasure-trove of inspiring stories, information, key strategies and self-discovery exercises that ultimately inspire optimism in what would otherwise appear to be an impossible healing process for those who are struggling through the aftermath of divorce.
Specifically, the book is aimed towards divorced parents who want to successfully establish a healthy co-parenting relationship with each other for the sake of their children. Rabinor emphasizes the fact that by befriending an ex-spouse, one does not only become a better parent to one's kids, but that it also improves one's own well-being. With the understanding that every divorce is unique, Rabinor considers a variety of situations, from resentment over financial matters to successfully navigating holidays. Moreover, Chapter 7, "Predictable Pitfalls: What Keeps Exes Enemies" outlines the myriad of ways in which potential problems could arise during the ex-spousal befriending process. By warning the reader about these classic pitfalls, the chapter renders itself especially helpful in helping the reader prevent them.
At the same time, however, a lot of what is covered in the book is not only relevant to divorced couples with or without children, but also to those experiencing general instability in their relationships, whether they be friendships, parent-child relationships, professional relationships, etc. In fact, Rabinor writes at length about how to deal with difficult emotions such as grief, anger, anxiety, guilt, and shame, which are all emotions that are often encountered outside of martial relationships. Chapter 3, "Grief as a Pathway to Resiliency" can also be relevant to anyone struggling with grief and seeking healthy outlets for its release. In this particular chapter, readers are encouraged to use grief as a tool for emotional growth. Chapter 5, "Letting Go" is about accepting what happened as a couple, in order to emotionally clear the way for a fresh start. As general relationship and emotion-related issues are extensively addressed, it would not be surprising if divorced readers found that their other relationships also naturally improved as a result of reading this book.
The concepts explored in this book should equally interest practicing psychotherapists who work with divorced clients, as it provides a relatively non-traditional yet effective perspective on how to resolve trauma resulting from divorce. Moreover, Rabinor consistently backs up her ideas with scientific research, making the book particularly relevant to current experts in the field of couples therapy.
The literature on divorce, specifically in the area of self-help books, is becoming increasingly important in the face of a rapidly rising divorce rate, as more and more children are growing up in broken homes. Despite living apart, divorced couples with children must face their parenting responsibilities. Although some couples give in to a lifetime of difficult or awkward encounters with their ex-spouse, Rabinor's book allows readers to learn from and gain inspiration from others who have achieved a healthy and positive relationship with their ex-spouses. Readers will realize that ultimately, beneath the pain of the divorce, love and compassion for their partner can still be found. By the end of the book, the message rings clear - although it may initially seem daunting, it is in fact possible to achieve a healthy friendship with one's ex-spouse.
While Befriending Your Ex after Divorce: Making Life Better for You, Your Kids, and, Yes, Your Ex recognizes the tremendous capacity of human resilience in the face of traumatic events such as divorce, it emphasizes the fact that even a relatively peaceful divorce can, if left unaddressed, be an invisible yet ever-present weight for people to carry around for the rest of their lives. By providing a personal yet insightful perspective on how to mend post-divorce relationships, Rabinor gently guides the reader towards emotional healing and happiness for both partners and their children.
Rabinor, J.R. (2012). Befriending Your Ex after Divorce: Making Life Better for You, Your Kids, and, Yes, Your Ex. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, Inc.
Paperback. ISBN: 978-1-60882-277-5. 203 pages. Appendix and references included.
Key words: divorce, marriage, ex, children, healing, relationship, friendship
Rothschild, B. (2010). 8 Keys to Safe Trauma Recovery. New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company.
Reviewed by: Jazmine Russell, New York University
Often times in trauma treatment, re-remembering the incidences or events of the past which caused the distress is believed to be integral to one's recovery, however, Babette Rothschild challenges this idea with what she calls the principle of "common sense". To Rothschild, no two individuals are completely alike, and it makes sense that with different experiences they will have different roads to recovery. Because of this, re-remembering and experiencing the past may be useful for one person, but not the next. Therefore, she promotes above all a "safe" recovery, which does not mean it is painless, however, she believes it is possible to heal without intensifying or provoking suffering. She emphasizes the idea that one's quality of life should be of utmost priority, and it is around this idea that she develops her guidebook: 8 Keys to Safe Trauma Recovery.
Outlining her strategies, beliefs, and concerns from the start, Rothschild also gives a small "disclaimer" at the beginning of her book. Her intent is to give the reader control, or to put them "in the driver's seat" of their own recovery. She leaves it up to the individual to decide what feels right to them, what goals seem achievable, and which steps seem unnecessary. Therefore, because the main readers will most likely be non-professionals who are also consumers of research and theories set forth in this book, Rothschild makes sure to explain that everything she writes is on the basis of hypothesis and speculation. There are no hard facts, and consequently the reader must "chew on" the material at their own discretion and pace. Rothschild's ability to meet the reader at an honest and humble level, I believe is her biggest strength. She makes her role clear, and that is to be a provider of information and act as a guide in building the capacity to listen to one's own inner thoughts, sensations and feelings in the recovery process.
Throughout the entire book, Rothschild attempts to instill autonomy in the reader. Every chapter ends with sections dedicated to helping the reader evaluate if they may or may not be in the right place to explore that particular key, which exercises or variations may work better, and what questions or tools to keep in mind while exploring each key. It isn't surprising that the very first key is "mindfulness" as Rothschild uses this technique to help readers focus on their inner sensations and implicit feelings to make healthier decisions and to gauge whether certain activities or steps are too strenuous or if they seem manageable. No treatment or technique should be considered unless it feels right to the patient, and while reminding readers of this, Rothschild even turns her book into an exercise of this lesson by encouraging readers to flip through it, pick only the sections they think will be useful, and implement them in any order or at any pace.
To supplement her ideas on decision making and mindfulness, Rothschild gives great example stories from her own sessions with patients. My favorite is the story of Janice, a client of Rothschild who was struggling with dissociation and staying present during different levels of physical touch. Rothschild goes through the beginning steps of mindfulness with Janice and helps her to find different "gauges" that can assist her in making decisions by informing her of how her body and mind are feeling about these possibilities. They start slow with everyday decisions like what foods to eat or cloths to wear, and Janice finds it's easiest to draw her attention to her stomach and heartbeat as gauges for how her body is doing with these decisions. Perhaps most interestingly, Janice also finds a mental representation for her feelings in the form of a rabbit. When Rothschild and Janice work towards feeling okay with different kinds of touch such as a hand on the shoulder or a hug, Janice can first gauge how she feels by picturing the rabbit and describing it as seeming guarded, scared or calm. Through this story, I realized just how creative one can get with the mindfulness process, and how useful it can be to check in with your body, even for everyday decisions.
Providing relevant theory in bite-sized portions, giving clear and inspiring real-life examples, and supplying the reader with the power to "direct their own healing," Rothschild successfully creates a guide to trauma recovery which emphasizes manageable and safe healing.
Rothschild, Babette. (2010).8 Keys to Safe Trauma Recovery. New York: W.W. Norton & Co.
Paperback. IBSN:978-0-393-70605-5. 174 pages. Includes index.
Key words: Trauma, PTSD, recovery, self-help
Russell, M.C. & Figley, C.R. (2013). Treating Traumatic Stress Injuries in Military Personnel: An EMDR Practitioner's Guide. New York: Routledge.
Reviewed by: Tina R. Lee, New York University
Those who actively protect society from the dangers of war and violence are warriors in the truest sense. These individuals make the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that others have the opportunity to make the most out of their lives. For military survivors, their sacrifice continues beyond the battlegrounds. In the study of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), there have arisen various evidence-based treatments considered to be highly effective by professionals, one of which is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR was first developed by Francine Shapiro in 1987 upon noticing that stimulating eye movement in a back and forth motion, with exposure to a representative scene of the worst aspects of a trauma, leads to the removal or reduction of the emotional salience for the trauma victim. Recently, EMDR has begun to gain acceptance in the military for its concrete strategies in addressing Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS), such as chronic fatigue syndrome. Instead of being limited to a handful of neuropsychiatric diagnoses, according to Mark C. Russell and Charles R. Figley's Treating Traumatic Stress Injuries in Military Personnel, EMDR has paved the way to address and hopefully treat the full spectrum of war stress injuries.
Russell and Figley, being veterans as well as psychologists, recognize the knowledge deficit of MUS and effectively offer a broad lens covering topics that impact both clinical practice as well as applications within the military circle. To that
end, they are highly successful in covering an extensive range of issues pertaining to MUS. The authors discuss the importance of treating the whole individual; for example, addressing histories of sexual or childhood trauma (27). In a randomized study comparing EMDR, prolonged exposure (PE) and a wait-list control with 74 female rape victims, the results indicated that both EMDR and PE produced significant treatment effects with 75% of EMDR victims no longer meeting PTSD diagnostic criteria at post-treatment. Furthermore, the book covers topics such as terrorism and cultural issues, including the stigma of receiving treatment in the military.
Treating Traumatic Stress Injuries in Military Personnel is organized with specific case studies, beginning with the history of resistance to EMDR; then going on to EMDR treatment and protocol for military populations. The book goes in depth into each EMDR step and covers an array of challenges for the clinician. Finally, the authors discuss treatment for chronic war/traumatic stress injury, which is a particularly interesting section delving into the psychology of traumatic grief and the importance of building rapport with the returning warrior who usually holds a distrust of mental health professionals.
In addition, the book addresses the perspective of the military client with detailed scripts and clinical case studies. One of the strongest arguments in favor for the application of EMDR is its unique adaptability to military life. EMDR emphasizes client control over the amount of exposure to traumatic events and demands little of client self-disclosure, which is in line with the military's values of strength and confidentiality. Thus, on top of being highly practical, cost effective and efficient, EMDR is more "in line with military culture and its realities than any other available psychotherapy" (50). However, Russell and Figley fail to distinguish why the history of childhood trauma is so significant, other than high reports of childhood trauma in military personnel. The book fails to discuss other possible factors such as socioeconomic background or other types of trauma. However, Russell and Figley fairly reference and cite works critical to EMDR throughout the book.
At its core, Treating Traumatic Stress Injuries in Military Personnelis a guide to the treatment of MUS within the structure of operational settings and medically-focused treatment centers, i.e. U.S. Department of Defense and U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Systems, for active military and combat veterans. The book builds upon the contributions of another series, Combat Stress Injury (Figley & Nash, 2008), focusing on the process of rehabilitating an injury, but is unique from its predecessors in that it not only introduces various treatment strategies but also discusses issues in military life that may be not obvious to a clinician. In Treating Traumatic Stress Injuries in Military Personnel,Russell and Figley effectively synthesize the perspectives of the clinician and the warrior to provide an in-depth analysis and argument for the benefits of EMDR treatment.
Russell, M.C. & Figley, C.R. (2013). Treating Traumatic Stress Injuries in Military Personnel: An EMDR Practitioner's Guide. New York: Routledge.
Hardback. ISBN: 978-0-415-88977-3. 285 pages. Includes bibliographical references and index
Keywords: EMDR, PTSD, Military, Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS), evidence-based treatments, war stress injuries, sexual trauma, childhood trauma.
Schwartz, J.M. & Gladding, R. (2012). You Are Not Your Brain: The 4-Step Solution for Changing Bad Habits, Ending Unhealthy Thinking and Taking Control of Your Life. New York: Penguin Group.
Reviewed by: Julie Y.A. Cachia, New York University.
As the title indicates, You Are Not Your Brain: The 4-Step Solution for Changing Bad Habits, Ending Unhealthy Thinking, and Taking Control of Your Life, by Jeffrey M. Schwartz and Rebecca Gladding, is about becoming aware of and eliminating destructive brain messages in order to gain more control of one's life. According to Schwartz and Gladding, a lot of us are unconsciously allowing our brains to control our lives, instead of rewiring our brains in order to connect to our inner Wise Advocate, thereby creating a healthier, more mindful way of thinking. This book targets readers such as those who find themselves overthinking problems that are out of their control, panicking about illogical fears, blaming themselves for things outside of their control, and trapped in unbreakable cycles of unhealthy behaviors as an escape from stress. In order to help readers break free from these familiar problems, a four-step process based on mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral therapy is outlined and developed throughout the chapters.
The four-step process begins with Relabeling, or becoming aware of deceptive brain messages, followed by Reframing, or naming this deceptive brain message in order to change one's perception of it. Next comes Refocusing, where attention is focused more appropriately, and finally, Revaluing, during which one's own perspective able to be correctly aligned. Readers are encouraged to use these steps to tackle one problematic brain message at a time. Thanks to the organized structure and colloquial language, the steps are easy to understand and execute.
An important message that this book delivers is the idea that the brain does not define the individual's personhood. According to Schwartz and Gladding, most people wrongly and unconsciously allow their brain to inform their self-perception. In contrast, the four-step process works to uncouple the brain from the self, and instead treats the brain's deceptive thought patterns as symptoms of deeper, unresolved problems, rather than part of the individual's identity. As the book claims, rewiring the brain using the four-step process ultimately allows the Wise Advocate within you to take control over your brain instead of the other way around.
Throughout the book, Schwartz and Gladding describe the personal journeys of multiple individuals who have successfully broken free from destructive brain messages using this four-step technique. All of them have struggled through a different concern, including fear of rejection, depression, self-doubt, paranoia, jealousy, insecurity, anxiety, and alcoholism. Deceptive brain messages affect us all at some point in varying degrees, which makes this self-treatment method relevant to a rather vast audience.
Unfortunately for those who have some experience with mindfulness, the concepts covered in the text will be unsurprising and perhaps unoriginal, as the book seems to be geared toward novices. However, for those who are unfamiliar with the biology behind it, the first few chapters of the book will offer some insight into how Hebb's law, the quantum Zeno effect, neuroplasticity all contribute to the formation of habits, and why these habits are so difficult to alter once they are
formed.
Secondly, perhaps because of its dual-authorship, the text seems to lack some of the voice that characterizes and invigorates most self-help books of this kind. As a result, some may struggle to stay connected to the text. Moreover, the text may begin to feel redundant at certain times, which, while it may help novices retain information better, may feel unnecessary to those who are already familiar with these ideas. In fact, it seems as though the book could have been shortened significantly without it forfeiting much of its impact.
Regardless of its minor shortcomings, the book includes a variety of exercises that keep readers on track by directly engaging them with the material, along with diagrams that illustrate certain concepts. The book also anticipates major stumbling blocks many have encountered in the past while progressing through the four-step process. The bullet-point summaries at the end of most chapters also help keep the reader on top of the concepts. For those who are curious about the four-step process and have the time to go through it, You Are Not Your Brain: The 4-Step Solution for Changing Bad Habits, Ending Unhealthy Thinking, and Taking Control of Your Life is undeniably a worthwhile read.
Schwartz, J. M. & Gladding, R. (2012). You Are Not Your Brain: The 4-Step Solution for Changing Bad Habits, Ending Unhealthy Thinking and Taking Control of Your Life. New York: Penguin Group.
Paperback. ISBN: 978-1-58333-483-6. 362 pages. Index included.
Key words: brain, mindfulness, mind, habits, thoughts, feelings
Scott, E. (2013). 8 Keys to Stress Management. New York: W.W. Norton & Co.
Reviewed by: Julie Y.A. Cachia, New York University.
Elizabeth Anne Scott's 8 Keys to Stress Management takes a comprehensive approach to stress and stress management techniques, drawing from various branches of psychology. The text's balanced emphasis on both physiological and mental processes makes it a holistic and thorough guide for a broad audience. What's more, Scott's use of relatively colloquial language makes the text easy to understand regardless of academic background, which suggests that it is most likely oriented towards the general public, as opposed to an academic audience.
Before jumping into any specific techniques, Scott begins by explaining the subtle yet important nuances inherent in words such as "stress", "stressor", "stressing", and "stressful"- words that are used on a daily basis, yet somehow seem to evade specific definition. The different kinds of "stress" are also outlined: eustress, distress, acute stress, episodic stress, and chronic stress. Despite the fact that stress culturally carries highly negative connotations, Scott takes the time to point out that stress can be healthy (Eustress), a fact that is often overlooked. Readers are then introduced to the Stages of Change that they may experience, facilitating the development of realistic expectations and mental preparation for the ensuing process. Finally, Scott introduces readers to the various ways in which readers can make use of the book: reading it from cover to cover or selecting relevant chapters. (Although the chapters are organized so as to provide readers with information in the most effective way, it is made easy for readers to skip or pick sections depending on personal relevance. In fact, Scott herself encourages this kind of flexible approach, especially for readers with time constraints.) This introduction is vital, for it creates a solid foundation from which readers get a grip of the topic and processes being dealt with, and how to best make use of the book.
The bulk of the text consists of the eight key stress management concepts, beginning with work on first identifying the stressors, practical short-term advice on how to deal with the stressors, and ending with broader practice for long-term resilience, thereby ensuring permanent improvement. The key concepts range from advice on eating, exercise and sleep ("Key 3: Take Care of Your Body") and managing relationships ("Key 6: Cultivate Healthy Relationships"), to practicing positive psychology ("Key 7: Put Positive Psychology into Action") and altering toxic thought patterns ("Key 4: Get into the Right Frame of Mind"). By effectively targeting both environmental and personal realms, Scott covers virtually every kind of stressor.
After the eight key concepts are laid out, Scott includes a final, yet crucial chapter, "Creating an Action Plan". This chapter guides the reader towards creating a short- and long-term action plan for stress management, thereby integrating the eight key concepts into the reader's life.
The book's strong suit lies in its organized structure, making it extremely easy to navigate. Although every chapter dedicates significant space to theoretical explanations for each concept, each chapter concludes with specific implementation strategies (under "How to Manage") and exercises (under "Activities to Try"), which provide readers with ways to initiate immediate positive change. Moreover, the abundant use of headings - and headings within headings - allow for easy self-tracking as one reads along.
At the same time, this categorical structure seems to encourage a systematic and straightforward method to solve stress, which somewhat detracts from the personal voice of the text. Ironically, this lack of reader-author connection could render the process itself more stressful for some (as opposed to a narrative-style of writing with less headings, for example).
Scott's Resources section at the end of the book displays an eclectic array of sources, ranging from the popular self-help book Getting Things Done by David Allen, to works by leading psychologist Martin Seligman. As a writer for the website, About.com, she also lists her articles on stress management as a resource. Indeed, her past experience writing about this topic shines through in this book- her approach is collected and confident, a writing style that is ideal and even perhaps essential for readers experiencing issues with stress management.
On the whole, Scott's work seems to be based on broad ideas from various fields in psychology and health. Her decision to dedicate equal time to both mental and physiological processes seems to indicate an underlying concept that the mind and the physical body are inseparable, that stress can only be conquered by taking care of both realms. Conveniently organized and easy to read, 8 Keys to Stress Management is a convenient self-help tool for those looking to manage their stress more effectively.
Scott, E. (2013). 8 Keys to Stress Management. New York: W.W. Norton & Co.
Paperback. ISBN: 978-0-393-70809-7. 203 pages. References and index included.
Key words: stress, management, stressors, strategies
Shalit, E. & Furlotti, N.S. (2013). The Dream and Its Amplification. Skiatook, OK: Fisher King Press.
Reviewed by: Rachel Vitale, New York University
Shalit and Furlotti have taken a single topic - in this case, the dream -and have broken it down into fifteen chapters of pure detail. In The Dream and Its Amplification, seemingly every angle of the dream and how it affects the human psyche is discussed. While the amount of analysis displayed throughout the book is impressive, the aspects that the editors chose to highlight are fascinating. They chose to accentuate certain aspects that magnify the function of a dream, some that most people would have never thought to be relevant. The difference between the conscious mind and the subconscious mind is contrasted, as well as the relationship between two states. A large portion of the book is based heavily upon mythology, while some of it derives from the authors' own experiences.
The book is comprised of many different voices spinning very different tales, all on the same subject. Every chapter is written by a different author, some consisting of analysis, and others containing stories of personal experience. In Chapter Twelve, Bi-Polarity, Compensation, and the Transcendent Function in Dreams and Visionary Experience, Kathryn Madden analyzes C.G. Jung's The Archetypes and the Collective Unconsciousness, while in Chapter Fifteen, Dreams and Sudden Death, Gilda Frantz speaks of the dream and sudden death based on her own experiences. In both situations, dreams play very strange role. They are complex, almost frightening. Both Madden and Frantz explain the dark impression that dreams have given them.
C.G. Jung's work is heavily utilized in each chapter. He is often quoted and excerpts of his work are analyzed. In the first chapter, The Amplified World of Dreams, Shalit and Furlotti discuss Jung's views on the dream and its relationship with the unconsciousness. In Jung's opinion, the unconscious mind cannot be fully understood, even by one's own consciousness. He also believes that the unconscious is the source of both the conscious mind and dreams. Shalit and Furlotti also use this chapter to contrast the difference between Jung's interpretation of dreams and Freud's point of view. While Jung feels that dreams emerge from the unconscious, Freud believes that it is the opposite; the unconscious mind is derived from dreams.
Certain chapters were quite unique. In Chapter Five, Wild Cats and Crowned Snakes: Archetypal Agents of Feminine Initiation, Furlotti describes dreams specific to women. She discusses two dreams of wild cats and two dreams of snakes, both specific to important transitions in a woman's life. In Chapter Six, A Dream in Arcadia, author Christian Gaillard does not discuss his own dreams, but instead takes readers on a journey through a dream that he paints. The dream is a very complex topic, which is why readers can appreciate the unique angle these two chapters take. It is always easier to understand a concept that is relatable. By dedicating a chapter to the effect dreams have had specific to women, Furlotti has made this book all the more appealing to the female gender. The creative strategy that Gaillard used to draw readers into his chapter can also be highly appreciated.
Dreams are far more complex than one might have imagined. There is more to them than just vague, odd scenarios that we can barely remember the next morning. Not only do Shalit and Furlotti do a fine job of expressing the complexity of the dream in their book, The Dream and Its Amplification, but they also do an exceptional job of presenting this concept to readers in a creative, comprehensible way. Each author who contributed to this book should be commended for his or her unique effort to make not only the idea of dream itself, but all dreams that float around in our unconscious minds every night, all the more grounded in our consciousness.
Shalit, E. & Furlotti, N.S. (2013). The Dream and Its Amplification. Skiatook, OK: Fisher King Press.
eBook. ISBN: 978-1-55643-798-4. 232 pages. Includes index.
Key words: dream, conscious, Jung, mind, unconscious
According to Shapiro, a traumatic event can hamper the normal cognitive functions of the brain that enable automatic coping mechanisms. This is because the memory and stimuli are not completely processed. Ozne of the main distinctions she makes in this book is between 'processed' and 'unprocessed memories'. EMDR therapy processes memories in a fashion that enables the disturbing events to unravel and allows the clients to develop mechanism to cope.
The book is divided into chapters, each with subheadings preparing the reader for what is to come next. Shapiro uses a wide variety of examples to explain the concepts she argues. For instance, her book begins with an analogy between the nursery rhyme 'Roses are Red' and the brain and its storage capabilities. We learn behavior and internalize it, even if not intentionally. A client, Ben, is an example of the impact learned behavior and conditioning later in life. Ben is a successful businessman who would get extremely anxious before a presentation. Although he was able to make it through presentations and meetings, he would find himself very unhappy afterwards. EMDR therapy targets the unprocessed memories that contain negative emotions, sensations and beliefs. By activating the brain's information processing system the old memories can then be "digested" (p 7). EMDR processing reminded Ben of memories he had forgotten. For instance, that he had a stutter in school and while presenting his teacher kept laughing at him. Thus, although he had come into his class confident, he was now anxious and afraid. These emotions were negative and unprocessed, so any time he was going to present, his body felt the same emotions he felt that day. Once he was able to process this heretofore-unconscious memory, he was able to live a less anxiety stricken work life. The book is clear and comprehensible, it enables even those with little academic background to use this book and get help. It is straightforward, conversational and targets many different readers. The headings in each chapter make it easier for the reader to understand the context and the direction the book is taking them in.
Shapiro shares stories that seem likely to influence others' desire to get help. As they are problems of real people and their emotional healing of past traumas. The back of the book contains a section of glossary words which further explain the different techniques readers can try on their own to improve mental health (For instance the 'Breathing Shifts' which lowers distress level by changing breathing patterns) and a Personal Table to keep track of how they treat their bodies (How much they exercise / meditate, how they sleep at night, ate in full awareness) which are factors that help determine if a person requires professional assistance. In addition, the book ends with Appendices, which provide further information for readers according to their level of interest. As a whole, this book is a great resource for all those who feel they need to acquire a better understanding of the self in trauma. It presents stories of different clients and solutions to problems.
Shapiro, F. (2012). Getting Past Your Past: Take Control of Your Life with Self-Help Techniques from EMDR Therapy. New York: Rodale Press, Inc.
Paperback. ISBN-13: 9781609619954; 352 pages. References and index included.
