Current Thinking and Research in Brief Therapy

In Volume 2 of Current Thinking and Research in BriefTherapy the authors consideration of Ericksonian-influenced brief therapy continues. Presently, there is a concern among those in the psychotherapy profession who worry that this area of science will become heartless. Others are equally concerned that their hearts not become science-less in the future. In this volume, the authors respect both viewpoints and attempt to weave these notions together.

Throughout this book, different types of emotions in psychotherapy unfold. For instance, Harry Aponte presents a thoughtful piece on the issue of client-therapy intimacy, while Doug Flemons and Shelley Green, a married couple, share a humorous yet sensitive article on sexual concerns in couples, and finally, Daniel Handel provides a powerful story of the use of hypnosis with a dying adolescent.

In addition to the emotional side of psychotherapy, the authors include the scientific aspects of psychotherapy. A discussion about various models of brief therapy is given, emphasizing that the therapeutic effects of the treatment models are attributable to "the non-treatment specifics" of the therapeutic interaction. A review of empirical data on the key elements of Ericksonian hypnosis and the social-psychological aspect of Ericksonian hypnosis are discussed as well. Finally, an important, and perhaps controversial, essay on ethics in the general non-therapeutic use of hypnosis by lawyers and its use in recovering memories is presented.