Brehm’s theory of psychological reactance in 1966 marked the beginning of a psychological investigation into the consequences of losing freedom. The concept “freedom” had been touched upon intermittently by disciplines such as political science and philosophy, and even on occasion by psychology, but Brehm’s treatment had been the first analysis of freedom to spark experimental investigations into the variety of reactions to infringements on freedom. Originally published in 1974, Freedom an...

In Zero-Variable Theories, Dr. Robert Wicklund invites the reader to consider the psychological perspective of the "explainer". In examining the over-simplifications that have become dominant in modern psychology, the author points to such factors as competition with other explainers and pressure to offer and promulgate a unique explanation. The explainer is characterized as equating theory with simple, fixed categories, and as defending those categories as one would defen...

This acclaimed clinical guide and widely adopted text has filled a key need in the field since its original publication. Nancy McWilliams makes psychoanalytic personality theory and its implications for practice accessible to practitioners of all levels of experience. She explains major character types and demonstrates specific ways that understanding the patient's individual personality structure can influence the therapist's focus and style of intervention. Guidelines ar...

Addressing the art and science of psychodynamic treatment, Nancy McWilliams distills the essential principles of clinical practice, including effective listening and talking; transference and countertransference; emotional safety; and an empathic, attuned attitude toward the patient. The book describes the values, assumptions, and clinical and research findings that guide the psychoanalytic enterprise, and shows how to integrate elements of other theoretical perspectives. ...

What kinds of questions do experienced therapists ask themselves when facing a new client? How can clinical expertise be taught? From the author of the landmark Psychoanalytic Diagnosis, this book takes clinicians step-by- step through developing an understanding of each client's unique psychology and using this information to guide and inform treatment decisions. McWilliams shows that while seasoned practitioners rely upon established diagnostic categories for re...

Narcissists have been much maligned but according to clinicians who study personality there are many productive narcissists who succeed spectacularly well in life because they can articulate a vision and make others follow. Elsa Ronningstam who has been studying and treating narcissists for 20 years presents a balanced comprehensive and up-to-date review of our understanding of narcissistic personality disorder explaining the range from personality trait which can be productive to full-blo...

A uniquely practical guide and widely adopted text, this book shows precisely what therapists can say at key moments to enhance the process of healing and change. Paul Wachtel explains why some communications in therapy are particularly effective, while others that address essentially the same content may actually be countertherapeutic. He offers clear and specific guidelines for how to ask questions and make comments in ways that facilitate collaborative exploration and promote change. Il...

"The relational and the developmental point of view have never been brought together in an adequate way. This up-to-date scholarly, yet practical, integration opens a new vista within relational psychoanalysis and pioneers a fresh approach in the psychoanalytic treatment of children and adolescents. It is a work of great and lasting value to the field."–Peter Fonagy

Making scientific sense of human behaviorVirtually everyone wants to know more about the causes of human behavior. Witness the large number of books related to this topic on the selfhelp and newage shelves in stores and online lists, with few if any naturalscience books among them. Over the last century, only a handful of books have approached the humanbehavior topic with natural science. Emphasizing plain English rather than technical jargon, this book considers human behavior for what na...

The authors have grouped the theories into three classical "families" which differ in their views relative to the prime motives underlying human nature. They show how theories are specific examples of more general points of view called paradigms. The theories chosen to represent the three paradigms (the Endogenous Paradigm, Exogenous Paradigm, and the Constructivist Paradigm) were selected because they met four criteria:importance, as judged by academic an...

EXPAND AND REINFORCE YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF COUNSELING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY THEORIESThis supplementary resource to Counseling and Psychotherapy Theories in Context and Practice, Second Edition will further deepen your understanding of three key components of counseling and psychotherapy theory and practice: self-awareness, knowledge, and application and skill development.This Study Guide offers:A pre-test and post-test in each ch...

A revision of the leading textbook on personality disorders by renowned expert Theodore Millon"Personalities are like impressionistic paintings. At a distance, each person is 'all of a piece'; up close, each is a bewildering complexity of moods, cognitions, and motives."-Theodore MillonExploring the continuum from normal personality traits to the diagnosis and treatment of severe cases of personality disorders, Personality Disorders in Modern Life, Second Edition is ...