Eleven Blunders that Cripple Psychotherapy in America

A Remedial Unblundering

Nicholas A Cummings author William T O'Donohue author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd

Published:24th Apr '08

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Eleven Blunders that Cripple Psychotherapy in America cover

After a period of economic success and high regard in society, clinical psychology has fallen onto hard times, assert authors Nicholas Cummings and William O’Donohue. In the 1960s, clinical psychologists with doctorates were well paid in relation to comparable professions; today, starting salaries are lower than many jobs that require only a bachelor’s degree. Clinical psychology in the 1960s was preferred and valued over other fields as a profession; today it is not even on the list of top 20 fields for graduates to enter. Psychologists’ opinions on social issues are disregarded by the public. What was and continues to be the reason for the decline and continuing descent of clinical psychology? The authors posit that the profession blundered and has not adapted to the profound changes that have taken place in American society over the past 40 years. Psychotherapy practice is based on a 50-minute hour, yet mental health treatment must operate at a much briefer, more efficient pace. Clinicians ignore the findings of scientific research for effective treatments and favor the overblown pronouncements of gurus who preach without substance. Clinicians failed to adapt their practice to the needs of the healthcare industry and do not recognize that psychotherapy is health profession. An anti-business bias has contributed to training programs that ignore the economic realities of running a practice. The failure to secure prescription privileges, the invention of diagnoses, and political correctness are among the other blunders that pull the profession away from its primary mission -- mental health treatment -- and contribute to the low esteem in which psychologists are held. The authors enumerate and discuss the Eleven Blunders That Cripple Psychotherapy in America and offer remedies to correct the ongoing decline of the field.

"I was very excited to get this proposal as I admire the authors and their previous professional contributions. I found the book to have a good message but a terrible presentation. The authors make many bold and critical statements that need references and supporting material. The presentation needs to be more factual and less: 1) APA bashing, and 2) author self aggrandizement. I would recommend any book that Cummings and O’Donohue want to do. I would caution Routledge to make sure that the content is presented in a more professional manner."

- Jon Carlson, Psy.D., Ed.D., distinguished professor of Psychology and Counseling, Governors State University

"If this is a representative sample of the book, I am sure that it has the potential of being widely read and critically acclaimed. Because the center issue appears to be the role of APA, I think the authors might want to re-consider the title of the book. The title 'Eleven Blunders…' exaggerates the issues and it does not match the example chapter. Alternative titles that seem to be a better fit might be 'The Dirty Dozen of Psychology' or 'The Dirty Secret of APA.' Another strategy might be to emphasize the history aspect (e.g., 'The Beginnings of Clinical Psychology of America'). I think this would also attract a greater readership. I hope the authors find these comments helpful, and I am looking forward to the publication of this book."

- Stefan G. Hofmann, Ph.D., associate professor of Psychology, Boston University

"People who have known Nick Cummings will find this a legacy statement. He seeks to insure survival and growth of the therapy profession and describes what many will find distasteful but necessary medicine. He describes recent trends and developments in a detailed and controversial manner. Nevertheless, the book is eminently readable. In other words, readers will find it interesting if not gripping. I highly recommend that this book be published; the sooner the better. There is none like it in the field and many people who share these viewpoints will be able to reference them with highly respected and credible authors.

Some readers will cheer and others will jeer! Cummings and O'Donohue challenge the professional organizations as well as individuals to confront their apathy, irrelevance, denials and misbegotten worldviews. The authors boldly, forcefully and courageously speak out about the unspoken and underlying death wish that has infiltrated the therapy profession. I applaud them, thank them and join the increasingly cheering chorus of supporters."

- Robert E. Wubbolding, EdD, professor emeritus, Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio

"Overall this book has many great points and insight-provoking ideas. This is especially true of the Unblundering content of the proposed chapters. This book could actually stand on its own with only the Unblundering content. I do believe Dr. Cummings has 2 Chapters which stand out (Chapters 9 & 10) and these do so because he focuses on the issues and less on his own personal history. If the other chapters, especially the first few, were written to follow this style, then the reader would be less distracted by the personal tangents."

- Laura Ellsworth, M.A., L.H.M.C., Choices in Healing

"...psychologists who participate in the health care system may want to turn to this provocative new volume to stimulate our thinking as we chart our role in our own future. Eleven Blunders That Cripple Psychotherapy in America: A Remedial Unblundering is likely to be of greatest interest to psychologists who participate in...organizations that will influence the direction, form, and implementation of mental health's place within health care reform...Cummings's vision has historically been bold, and this volume is no exception."

- Jean Carter, Ph.D., PsychCRITIQUES


"...psychologists who participate in the health care system may want to turn to this provocative volume to stimulate our thinking as we chart our role in our own future.Eleven Blunders That Cripple Psychotherapy in America: A Remedial Unblundering is likely to be of greatest interest to psychologists who participate in...organizations that will influence the direction, form, and implementation of mental health's place within health care reform...Cummings's vsion has historically been bold, and this volume is no exception."

- Jean Carter, Ph.D., PsychCRITIQUES

ISBN: 9780415989633

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 589g

402 pages