Book review ii. General Psychotherapy: Principles and Common Theoretical Aspects - Rediscovering Humanity

General Psychotherapy

Chapter 1 confirmed many points for me regarding psychotherapy, especially given the general treatment here. Hartmann-Kottek asks questions of psychotherapy as a science. Hence, the demarcation of science is also raised. The history of psychotherapy spans the 19th century to current day, with references to prehistory. Wundt is a reminder of my introduction to psychology (aged 14-15). 

Physics also features, with quantum theory noted on p.5. and throughout the book. Significant for me, reference to energy, took me back to nursing theory and the work of Prof. Martha Rogers. I've struggled with this in the past. Not just personally, Unitary Beings, is this a 1960s - 1970s thing(?), but what it meant to other students and qualified nurses, in the UK at least? Another factor as I tried to find 'space' - validation for Hodges' model (despite an assumed BEST BEFORE date) there was the perception of those outside nurse academia who questioned the very notion of nursing theory (Raskin, 2001). Pardon the digression, but in the text the scales and potential significance at which the quantum is 'present' are surprising and helpfully amplify the need for an open-mind.

The author highlights recognition in recent decades of quantum phenomena - descriptions in neurophysiological at the molecular - cellular level, meditation, energy, resonance, states of consciousness and unconscious. You will find E=mc² here too.

The question of the disparate disciplines, schools and their often warring, fractured state is not dodged. The reality of, and accounting for the the multiplicity of approaches to therapy is debated and celebrated. I like the thought of how as a student / learner the first psychotherapy we are exposed to as a clinician (usually?) is imprinted. This experience influences (understandably) how we respond to subsequent psychotherapeutic modalities. I've followed discussion on 'X' regards efforts in academia to work towards a way to integrate psychotherapy, at least improving co-habiting, but as cited by Wampold et al. (2018) p.336:

"In the thousands of (RCT) studies conducted, we are still yet to find a specific treatment for a particular disorder, which was, on average, clinically and systematically superior to any other psychotherapy." p.7.

The aim in this paper was to "find a suitable coordination system that incorporates variety." p.7.

From this and my focus on Hodges' model my motivation to read this book may be obvious:

• A mapping exercise of core communication concepts to Hodges' model
     (the common framework?)
• psychology 
• psychotherapy
• interprofessional?

Hartmann-Kottek writes:

"Even if the school of psychotherapy were to succeed in establishing a common framework, a certain amount of variation with regard to approach would nevertheless be required. I am referring to the entire field of play between body-therapeutic interventions, scenic realisations, artistic expressions and more restrained verbal interactions. This is the result of the diversity of our human state." p.33.

The politics of psychotherapy recur with exploration of interdisciplinary common factors. A book that takes a neutral stance is highlighted in one of several 'tips'. Interspersed within the text, readers will find other related asides 'important', 'note', and 'cave'. Each chapter (bar conclusion) has a bibliography. For me the references are comprehensive. There are figures too, not many (a listing would help) but they reflect the book's goals. As already suggested there is philosophical and ethical debate. How is science defined in this context and using current tools. Objectivity - Subjectivity are a constant too; while Buber et al. took me back to RN mental health (RMN) and lecture days (CPN Cert.). This is not just a reverie but vital at a time when several lecturers in mental health nursing, are concerned that the mental health nursing curriculum is being genericised.

I like reference to interspaces and constellations - again throughout. While not a psychotherapy, the brief section 1.8.3 Abandoned Aspects of Therapy, made me recall Token Economies, conceived as a therapy.

Chapter 2 discusses good and bad therapists (invariably, wherever people go the apple barrel follows), looking in depth at the therapeutic relationship, and as a common factor. Given the attention devoted to self-care at present^, it is fitting that given that people attracted to train as psychotherapists have experienced stress themselves (2.2.1); should be aware of their own self-care and mental hygiene (2.2.4). Behavioural and client-centered therapies provide focus, with gestalt therapy working towards sections on the 'special therapeutic relationship' and agape. To what extent do you need to be open to holistic orientation, in order to negotiate holistically embedded confrontation (2.4.5)?

More to follow.

Many thanks again to Prof. Hartmann-Kottek and Springer for the review copy.

Hartmann-Kottek, L. (2022). General Psychotherapy, Principles and Common Theoretical Aspects - Rediscovering Humanity. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-87466-7

Raskin, Jef. "Humbug: Nursing Theory". Archived from the original on July 10, 2001. Retrieved December 14, 2015. (Wikipedia).

^Not a complaint, welcome in terms of the vertical axis of Hodges' model.