Articles, Book Reviews
“The Conscious Body: A Psychoanalytic Exploration of the Body in Therapy”
By Paul Efthim PhD
“The Conscious Body: A Psychoanalytic Exploration of the Body in Therapy” By Perrin Elisha American Psychological Association Washington, D.C., 2011 Psychoanalysis ‘put on the couch’ in groundbreaking book Reviewed by Paul Efthim, Ph.D. The body, long neglected in psychoanalysis and psychology generally, is making a comeback. A recent uptick in publications reflects renewed interest not only in the mind-body interface but also in deeper questions about how psychotherapists conceptualize and work with somatic experience. A brilliant new book by Perrin Elisha Ph.D., a Los Angeles psychologist, reveals how psychoanalytic theories have been largely incomplete or biased in how they [More]
PsycEssentials: A Pocket Resource for Mental Health Practitioners
By James K Luiselli EdD ABPP BCBA-D
“PsycEssentials: A Pocket Resource for Mental Health Practitioners” By Janet L. Sonne American Psychological Association Washington, D.C., 2012 Indispensable go-to-guide is user friendly Reviewed by James K. Luiselli, Ed.D., ABPP, BCBA-D Professional, pocket-size reference books have become popular over the years, particularly in medicine and psychology. “PsycEssentials” is one such book, in the author’s words, intended to “gather a broad range of information that clinicians commonly need and use in their practices and present it in a simple, clear, user-friendly format for quick reference.” Published by the American Psychological Association, the book is reasonably priced and also available in [More]
Young Children with ADHD: Early Identification and Intervention
By James K Luiselli EdD ABPP BCBA-D
“Young Children with ADHD: Early Identification and Intervention” By George J. DuPaul and Lee Kern American Psychological Association Washington, D.C., 2011 ‘Trendsetting’ book is impressive Reviewed By James K. Luiselli, Ed.D., ABPP, BCBA-D Children who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are frequently referred to psychologists and related mental health professionals. Public schools and parents also regularly seek consultation to address learning and behavior challenges in classrooms and homes, respectively. Although most research has centered on elementary school-age children, more recent studies and related inquiry have emphasized early intervention with young children ages two to five years, who have [More]
Shattered Glass: The Story of a Marine Embassy Guard
By Paul Efthim PhD
“Shattered Glass: The Story of a Marine Embassy Guard” By Greg Matos Two Harbors Press Minneapolis, Minn, 2011 Memoir offers insights into military service Reviewed By Paul Efthim, Ph.D. Unlike most military memoirs, “Shattered Glass” offers both first-person combat reportage and penetrating insights into how military service impacts the psyche. Written by Greg Matos, a doctoral student at the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology, this book describes his journey from a gung-ho Marine recruit wanting to escape his hometown of Bristol, R.I. to the brutal recruit training at Parris Island to his eventual ascent to elite guard units stationed at [More]
Social Anxiety in Adolescents and Young Adults: Translating Developmental Science Into Practice
By James K Luiselli EdD ABPP BCBA-D
“Social Anxiety in Adolescents and Young Adults: Translating Developmental Science Into Practice” Edited by Candice A. Alfano and Deborah C. Beidel American Psychological Association Washington, D.C., 2011 Book covers wide therapeutic landscape Reviewed by James K. Luiselli, Ed.D., ABPP, BCBA Social fear is synonymous with excessive shyness, social withdrawal and more definitively, social anxiety disorder (SAD). SAD occurs across the lifespan, with the average age of onset being mid-adolescence. As the editors of this book inquire, “What is it, then, about this particular developmental stage that seems to be the critical period for the onset of this debilitating disorder?” You’ll [More]
Inside the Session: What Really Happens in Psychotherapy
By Paul Efthim PhD
“Inside the Session: What Really Happens in Psychotherapy” By Paul L. Wachtel American Psychological Association Washington, D.C., 2011 A unique microscopic view of psychotherapy, ‘warts and all’ Reviewd by Paul Efthim, Ph.D. This unique book takes us inside the consulting room of master therapist Paul Wachtel, who bravely and generously shares verbatim transcripts of three sessions in their entirety. The circumstances under which these sessions took place were also unique: Wachtel, a distinguished author, practitioner and teacher of psychodynamic therapy, was invited by the American Psychological Association to make several demonstration videos for their DVD series “Systems of Psychotherapy.” Afterward, [More]
Wheels Down: Adjusting to Life After Deployment
By James K Luiselli EdD ABPP BCBA-D
“Wheels Down: Adjusting to Life After Deployment” By Bret A. Moore and Carrie H. Kennedy American Psychological Association Washington, D.C., 2011 Self-help guide one of the best of its kind Reviewed by James K. Luiselli, Ed.D., ABPP, BCBA-D Military psychology encompasses many areas but none more valuable than supporting service personnel returning home from deployment. The authors of “Wheels Down” are experienced Army and Navy veterans, both psychologists who are at the forefront of helping women and men preparing for and going through the transition stateside. It is an exemplary self-help book that deserves the widest attention. The first [More]
Fairbairn’s Object Relations Theory in the Clinical Setting
By Paul Efthim PhD
“Fairbairn’s Object Relations Theory in the Clinical Setting” By David P. Celani Columbia University Press New York, N.Y. 2010 Despite its complexity of ideas, book is rewarding Reviewed by Paul Efthim, Ph.D. If you’d like to strengthen your psychodynamic chops but aren’t ready to commit to years of analytic training, you might want to get a copy of this excellent book and immerse yourself in the model of W.R.D. Fairbairn. Written by Vermont psychologist David Celani, “Fairbairn’s Object Relations Theory in the Clinical Setting” reviews the British analyst’s five seminal papers published between 1940 and 1958 and discusses their application [More]
How to Find Mental Health Care for Your Child
By James K Luiselli EdD ABPP BCBA-D
“How to Find Mental Health Care for Your Child” By Ellen B. Braaten, Ph.D. American Psychological Association Washington, D.C., 2011 Accessible guide helpful to parents Reviewed by James K. Luiselli, Ed.D., ABPP, BCBA-D Ellen B. Braaten, Ph.D. is affiliated with Harvard Medical School, a child psychologist who specializes in pediatric neuropsychology and psychological testing. Braaten has written several noteworthy books for parents and professionals, most recently “How to Find Mental Health Care for Your Child.” The book is well conceived, highly informative, and an invaluable resource for families. The author writes, “I have found that seeking mental health care is [More]
Perceived Organizational Support: Fostering Enthusiastic and Productive Employees
By James K Luiselli EdD ABPP BCBA-D
Perceived Organizational Support: Fostering Enthusiastic and Productive Employees By Robert Eisenberger and Florence Stinglhamber American Psychological Association Washington, D.C. 2011 Must read book has universal appeal Reviewed By James K. Luiselli, Ed.D., ABPP, BCBA-D According to the authors of this book, perceived organizational support or POS concerns “Your work organization’s valuation of you or, to be more exact, how much you believe your organization values your contributions and cares about your wellbeing.” They comment further that “Employees with high POS experience their working lives in more favorable ways….have a more positive mood at work, are more satisfied with their jobs, [More]