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Assessment and Case Formulation in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Essential Issues in Counselling and Psychotherapy - Andrew Reeves) Paperback – 8 Dec. 2014
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John Rowan, humanistic therapist, private practice
‘This is a must-read book for students on courses in counselling, psychotherapy, clinical psychology and psychiatry.’
Heather Fowlie, Head of the Transactional Analysis Department, Metanoia Institute, London
Conducting a competent assessment and case formulation can be a daunting task for trainee therapists engaging in clinical assessment for the first time. This book is designed to help, by unpicking the many aspects involved in assessment and case formulation across modalities, practice settings and client groups.
The book:
· Explores key elements of clinical assessment including diagnosis, risk assessment, ethical considerations and accounting for difference.
· Highlights the necessary skills, techniques and legal requirements at each stage of the process.
· Takes into account the impact of culture, context and theoretical and practical considerations.
· Uses case studies and reflective questions to illustrate difficult concepts in context.
Equipping you with the knowledge and tools to make successful assessments and case formulations, this is an essential read for trainees and for qualified practitioners wishing to brush up on their understanding.
Dr Biljana van Rijn, Faculty Head of Applied Research and Clinical Practice, Metanoia Institute.
- ISBN-101446269795
- ISBN-13978-1446269794
- Edition1st
- PublisherSAGE Publications Ltd
- Publication date8 Dec. 2014
- LanguageEnglish
- Dimensions13.79 x 0.94 x 21.59 cm
- Print length160 pages
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Product description
Review
This is a thorough and well-structured piece of work, which brings in the
recent work of excellent authorities such as Barbara Ingram.
It is well arranged, with many examples and case vignettes, which bring the
material to life in an engaging way. I enjoyed reading it, and would recommend it
unreservedly.
-- John Rowan Published On: 2014-08-15Assessment and Case Formulation in Counseling and Psychotherapy is a must read book for students on courses in counselling, psychotherapy, clinical psychology and psychiatry. It is equally useful for experienced practitioners who might benefit from revisiting and reflecting on the many aspects of clinical practice that are covered in this very practical and comprehensive handbook. Up to date and easy to read, Dr Van Rijn has drawn upon her extensive clinical experience in the field of counseling and psychotherapy, as a practitioner, trainer and supervisor as well as current research to illustrate and convey the various aspects of a good assessment. Based within and drawn out from a relational perspective, this book takes the reader through the many aspects involved in assessment and case formulation, such as diagnosis, risk assessment, ethical considerations and accounting for difference and then, seamlessly through a series of case studies and questions, designed to help the reader reflect upon their work and to deepen their ability to conduct thorough assessments. This is a book I will be recommending to students and colleagues alike.
-- Heather FowlieAbout the Author
Dr Biljana van Rijn is a qualified Transactional Analysis psychotherapist and a Teaching and Supervising Transactional Analyst in the field of psychotherapy. She has worked as psychotherapist and supervisor for a number of years in community organisations and private practice and tutored at Metanoia Institute. Biljana has been a head of clinical services at Metanoia Institute since 1998, and has gained substantial experience in psychotherapy assessment and formulation in this role. She has written on assessment previously and has established assessment training within the Metanoia Counselling and Psychotherapy Service.
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Product details
- Publisher : SAGE Publications Ltd; 1st edition (8 Dec. 2014)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 160 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1446269795
- ISBN-13 : 978-1446269794
- Dimensions : 13.79 x 0.94 x 21.59 cm
- Best Sellers Rank: 61,463 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer reviews:
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It supported my learning excellently. I passed my course in clinical assessment using this book as it gives clear guidance and explanations. It is a short but really important read.
I also had a problem with page 24, where the author comes on to the question of the therapeutic relationship. There is no mention of the very sophisticated and useful model of Petruska Clarkson, detailed in her 2003 book and used by many of the more advanced therapists today, which says that there are five relationships all going on at the same time. This omission is all the more puzzling because van Rijn works at Metanoia, the organization founded by Clarkson and others. Actually Chapter 2 is very mixed.
In Chapter 3 there seems to be a misprint, where the author is discussing attachment theory, and says: “On the other hand, a dismissing attachment pattern with an anxious client, or a preoccupied attachment pattern, may lead you to hear the extent of the client’s distress.” (p.40) There seems to be something wrong with this sentence. Later in the chapter there is a discussion of standardized questionnaires in assessment, and it turns out that van Rijn has written such questionnaires herself. Personally, I could never use questionnaires with any of my own clients.
In Chapter 5, we come on to the question of psychosis. The author recommends the use of DSM-5. But there is no mention of the critiques of people like Mary Boyle, who cast doubt not only on the efficacy of the drugs often prescribed here, but even cast doubt on the real existence of things like schizophrenia. My own view is that DSM-5 is intended for the use of psychiatrists, not for the use of counsellors or psychotherapists, and is in fact completely useless for therapeutic use in the field.
Chapter 6 is about risk assessment, and goes on and on about suicide risks. Of course this is important but I do not think it warrants 14 pages in a small book like this.
Chapter 7 is all about culture and issues of difference, and seems useful and well done, and the same can be said of Chapter 8, on ethical considerations. Chapter 9 is devoted to concluding reflections, and seems rather rushed.
It seems to me that there is not nearly enough critique here. The humanistic view is that assessment does not really make sense. The existential view is the same. The relational view is the same again. And the recent thinking in this field, with its strong emphasis on the importance of the personal relationship between therapist or counsellor and client, really casts doubt on the whole question of assessment. So I think this book represents a brave attempt at an impossible task.
John Rowan 16 January, 2015