Focussed Expressive Psychotherapy - Hardcover

"Working from a conceptual basis of Gestalt psychotherapy the authors have developed a treatment approach which lends itself readily to a variety of clinical situations and offers a system for training therapists in an exciting and creative approach to psychotherapy, . Much has been written about the Gestalt approach, and yet little has been developed which systematically brings the advantages of affective involvement in conjunction with an understandable conceptualization. This book meets that need and goes well beyond into an organized model which enables both neophyte and experienced therapists to understand what they are doing, know why they are doing it, and know what to expect as an outcome. The authors thoughtfully define the limits of their approach, explain the ways in which the approach may be evaluated, and then provide thorough extensive case protocols of the workings of FEP."This is a group therapy approach which may well bring many therapists who have avoided group techniques into the fold. This is something of a one-to-one therapy in a group and yet it is much more than that. The group is used consistently in amplifying the effects of focus and emotion into bringing about therapeutic change. The developers of this approach have reviewed the contemporary thinking in psychotherapy and have carefully delineated their approach as it relates to the broader field. They have taken much that has proven worthwhile from other psychotherapies and blended their thinking and experiences into a modern short-term group therapy. One only has to experience this approach to know its effectiveness and see the remarkable therapeutic changes possible. FEP is a significant contribution to the armamentarium of the contemporary psychotherapist and will prove itself in the years to come." --John Gladfelter for Daldrup

This is the first practical book from an experiential perspective to deal explicitly with blocked affect. Based on the authors' extensive clinical experience and their NIMH-sponsored research, focused expressive psychotherapy (FEP) is shown to be ideally suited for the many over controlled patients mired in "unfinished emotional business."
A complete approach in one volume, the reader is given the underlying psychological assumptions of FEP as well as its principles, therapeutic procedures, and assessment techniques.
The book delineates the roles and responsibilities of both the therapist and client, presents FEP's five-step procedure, and describes its therapeutic methods and techniques. The design of experiments and problems are illustrated with segments from actual sessions, and evaluation procedures are provided so that both therapist and patient can assess the progress being made. Complete FEP sessions with explanatory comments are included so that the reader can follow the entire FEP process from the beginning to the end of the session.
Among the many professionals who will find FOCUSED EXPRESSIVE PSYCHOTHERAPY an invaluable resource are: marriage and family therapists, professionals working with violence and abuse in penal settings or rape crisis centers, suicide prevention personnel, school counselors and administrators, grief therapists, drug and alcohol rehabilitation therapists, and any psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, counselor-therapist, or mental health worker who deals with clients with constricted emotions.
An excellent text for graduate courses on psychological theory or counseling techniques and process, FOCUSED EXPRESSIVE PSYCHOTHERAPY offers students in the mental health field much that will help them develop into professionals.