Minding the Client

Reviews the book, Case studies in emotion-focused treatment of depression: A comparison of good and poor outcome by Jeanne C. Watson, Rhonda N. Goldman, and Leslie S. Greenberg (see record 2007-07061-000). This book is a work that thoughtfully and conscientiously explores its cases in unparalleled depth, allowing the authors to reach meaningful conclusions that too rarely appear in such books. More impressive, equal space is devoted to exploring cases with poor outcomes as to those with positive outcomes. Although emotion-focused therapy (EFT; also known as process experiential therapy) infrequently appears in texts covering major systems of psychotherapy, its potential as a truly integrative psychotherapy is exceptional. Described as “a neohumanistic experiential approach to therapy reformulated in terms of modern emotion theory and affective neuroscience” (Greenberg & Goldman, 2007, p. 379), EFT utilizes insights and techniques from therapeutic approaches as seemingly diverse as person centered, Gestalt, family systems, cognitive, constructivist, and narrative, among others. This book strikes a perfect balance between the scientific and the pragmatic, respecting empirical approaches to psychotherapy research without neglecting active reflection and practical suggestions for practicing clinicians. It is highly recommended, both to practicing psychologists and graduate students. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2007 APA, all rights reserved)