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Psychotherapy for a Democratic Mind

Treating Intimacy, Tragedy, Violence, and Evil

Israel W Charny author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Lexington Books

Published:19th Jan '18

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

Psychotherapy for a Democratic Mind cover

This book explores psychiatric disorders by focusing on the potential harm individuals may cause to themselves or others. It emphasizes the importance of cultivating a free and integral mind in therapy.

Psychotherapy for a Democratic Mind offers a fresh perspective on psychiatric disorders, shifting the focus from traditional DSM symptomatology to the impact of these disorders on individuals and their relationships with others. The author explores the concept of harm—both self-inflicted and directed towards others—as a central theme in understanding mental health. This approach encourages readers to consider how their experiences and choices affect not only their own lives but also the lives of those around them.

The book delves into critical life experiences such as tragedy, violence, and evil, which often present significant challenges in therapeutic settings. By addressing these complex issues, the author invites readers to confront the deeper emotional and psychological struggles that can arise from such experiences. This exploration serves to illuminate the intricate connections between personal suffering and broader societal implications, ultimately fostering a more comprehensive understanding of mental health.

At its core, Psychotherapy for a Democratic Mind advocates for the cultivation of a free mind with integrity as the ultimate goal of psychotherapy. The author posits that true mental wellness is achieved not just by alleviating symptoms, but by empowering individuals to navigate their lives in a way that minimizes harm to themselves and others. This transformative approach to therapy encourages personal growth and social responsibility, making it a thought-provoking read for anyone interested in the intersections of psychology, ethics, and community well-being.

Psychotherapy for a Democratic Mind presents a creative focusing of Israel W. Charny’s general concept of democratic and fascistic minds to a crucial field of application. An unusual blend of material from clinical psychology, personality theory, and political psychology, its core terms symbolize broad personality types. The result is a set of novel and thought-provoking ideas for clinical theory, diagnosis, and treatment. -- Peter Suedfeld, University of British Columbia
Psychotherapy for a Democratic Mind concludes with a brilliant summation of an extraordinary life spent grappling with the human condition. Truth is in essence dialectical, and this book is a twenty-first century embodiment of the rabbinic concept of yetzer hara/yetzer tov, the good impulse and the bad impulse. Israel W. Charny offers a profound understanding of the human story. There is so much substance, depth, and truth in Charny’s life perspective. -- Samuel Karff, University of Texas Medical School
Israel W. Charny provides a captivating journey exploring a framework for therapy that charts a course for today's and tomorrow's mental health professionals. Charny's therapeutic wisdom and existential insight into the human condition, combined with his pioneering work on the Holocaust and genocide studies, informs his courageous approach to perplexing issues. He provides essential truths, including a prescription for therapists and patients alike, to achieve a ‘free mind’ that does no harm to one's own life or that of others. This book provides approaches to diagnosis and therapy that must be studied, savored, and implemented. -- Robert Krell, MD, University of British Columbia
This is one of the most original psychotherapy books I have ever read. Israel W. Charny does not flinch when describing evil in the human experience. He calls on therapists to see psychological health as inclusive of how personal behavior affects the well-being of others, and to make the connection between political democracy and democracy in the mind and heart. There is an ethical consciousness at work on every page, which is much needed in today's world. -- William J. Doherty, University of Minnesota Twin Cities

ISBN: 9781498566971

Dimensions: 238mm x 158mm x 35mm

Weight: 753g

400 pages