1st Edition

Psychological Investigations A Clinician's Guide to Social Therapy

Edited By Lois Holzman, Rafael Mendez Copyright 2003

    "Psychological Investigations" lets readers listen in on one of the most exciting developments in psychology today as it is unfolding. With the current trend in therapy reflecting a movement away from traditional psychology and towards more postmodern psychologies, social therapy, a psychotherapeutic approach developed by Fred Newman, emerges as a qualitatively new way of doing therapy. Social therapy blends philosophy, the arts, and political concerns into a group approach that focuses on improved social functioning.
    "Psychological" "Investigations" provides insight into the revolutionary development of social therapy--an improvisational, investigatory, development-focused method of treatment. Featuring dialogues drawn from transcripts of teaching and supervisory sessions between Newman and therapists, the book presents a comprehensive guide to the core philosophical and political issues of social therapy and the social therapeutic group process. Instead of introspection and insight--traditional means to self-realization--Newman and social therapy encourages activity, involvement and commitment to causes larger than the individual ego.

    Foreword, By Harlene Anderson
    Preface, By Lois Holzman and Rafael Mendez

    PART ONE
    SETTING THE STAGE, By Rafael Mendez
    CREATING THE CONTEXT: AN INTRODUCTION, By Lois Holzman
    PART TWO
    THE DIALOGUES, By Fred Newman and Others
    Introduction
    Chapter 1. The Core Issues of Social Therapeutic Practice
    A. Developmental Activity
    B. Enhancing Sociality/Challenging Individualism
    C. Mundane Creativity
    D. Performance
    E. What's Wrong With Truth Talk?
    F. Problems
    G. Identities and Identity
    Chapter 2. The Social Therapeutic Group Process
    Chapter 3. Developing the Social Therapeutic Relationship
    Chapter 4. Therapeutic Challenges: People and Situations
    Chapter 5. Social Therapy Integrated
    A. Social Therapy and Spirituality
    B. Social Therapy and Body Work
    C. Social Therapy and Medicine
    D. Social Therapy and Self Help
    Chapter 6. Social Therapy and Philosophy (and Politics)
    EPILOGUE: THERAPISTS' COMMENTS
    Appendix: Readings in Social Therapy and the Social Therapeutic Method

    Biography

    Lois Holzman, Rafael Mendez