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Book SynopsisTo become a counselor or psychotherapist, one must learn a confusing and conceptually disconnected array of theories, techniques, and ideologies. For instance, CBT, humanistic, and psychodynamic interventions have virtually opposite conceptual foundations, but they are all used to help clients. What principles, however, connect the various movements, trends, and methods of helping? In Philosophical Issues in Counseling and Psychotherapy: Encounters with Four Questions about Knowing, Effectiveness, and Truth, James T. Hansen asks and proposes beginning resolutions to four fundamental philosophical questions about knowing, effectiveness, and truth that are designed to unite and give meaning to diverse and seemingly contradictory models of helping: What does it mean to know a client? What makes counseling effective? Are truths discovered or created in the counseling relationship? Should counselors abandon the idea of truth? Although these questions are complex, Hansen provides plain langu
Trade ReviewIn Philosophical Issues in Counseling and Psychotherapy: Encounters With Four Questions About Knowing, Effectiveness and Truth, James Hansen asks and proposes beginning resolutions to four fundamental questions about knowing, effectiveness and truth. Through exploring the intersection of philosophy, history, culture, power, language and theory, Hansen is able to weave a synthesis of logic that provides counselors, counselor educators and counselors-in-training with a unified view of helping that transcends conventional epistemology. I heartily recommend this book as essential reading for counselors, psychologists and social workers. This book should also be in the reading list of all theories of counseling courses. * Metapsychology Online *
In these pages, an extraordinary conversation has been initiated. Dr. Hansen invites the reader to walk with him through the labyrinth of philosophy to reflect on four critical questions of the counseling profession that lie at the heart of the work he loves. Through exploring the intersection of history, culture, power, language, and theory, Dr. Hansen is able to weave a synthesis of logic that provides counselors, counselor educators, and counselors-in-training with a unified view of helping that transcends conventional epistemology. Rather than avoid these challenging issues, the reader is invited into Dr. Hansen's personal and professional journey that reveals the meaning-oriented soul of the quintessential humanist. This book is an intellectual and professional delight and will be on the required reading list for all my theories classes in the future. -- Colette Dollarhide, EdD, The Ohio State University
Dr. Hansen has written a rare book that will inspire novice helping professionals while also challenging and invigorating more seasoned practitioners. His wit and insight make for an engaging and edifying read—I strongly recommend this book as essential reading for all counselors, psychologists, and social workers! -- Matthew E. Lemberger-Truelove, PhD, University of New Mexico
Jim Hansen’s self-styled ‘unusual book’ brings philosophical questioning to life in a delightful read that is clear, erudite, and personally engaging with its delicately effective balance between the academic and the deeply personal. In making a compelling case for an ‘affirmative postmodern’ approach to therapy that eschews modernist notions of ‘truth’ and which offers an effective antidote to the increasing mechanization of therapy work, Hansen refreshingly questions the politics of professionalization—raising deep philosophical questions about the therapeutic process itself and arguing for a humanities-centred approach in the Nussbaum tradition. The book also makes a resounding case, if inadvertently, for the intellectual freedom of the Academy. Aspiring and thoughtful students of the human condition will benefit greatly from reading this fine book. -- Richard House, PhD, University of Winchester
Table of ContentsDedication Preface Acknowledgments Chapter 1: Mental Health Culture Chapter 2: Introduction to Philosophical Questions Chapter 3: What Does it Mean to Know a Client? Chapter 4: What Makes Counseling Effective? Chapter 5: Are Truths Discovered or Created in the Counseling Relationship? Chapter 6: Should Counselors Abandon the Idea of Truth? Chapter 7: The Journey Continues References Index About the Author
