Abstract
As can be seen from the above quotation, psychotherapy can be learned by giving the right tips, just as a craft is learned. The practitioner develops a knack for understanding people and the interventions necessary to persuade them to alter their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Probably, referral for psychotherapy is also a craft, for which it takes great experience to develop expertise.
Is there such a thing as “expert judgment” about the genuineness of expressions of feeling?—Even here, there are those whose judgment is “better” and those whose judgment is “worse.” Corrector prognoses will generally issue from the judgments of those with better knowledge of mankind. Can one learn this knowledge: Yes; some can. Not, however, by taking a course in it, but through “experience.” — Can someone else be a man’s teacher in this? Certainly. From time to time he gives him the right tip—This is what “learning” and “teaching” are like here.—What one acquires here is not a technique; one learns correct judgments. There are also rules, but they do not form a system, and only experienced people can apply them right.
—Wittgenstein, 1953
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Recommended Readings
Greenson, R. R. (1967). The technique and practice of psychoanalysis. New York: International Universities Press. This book provides a theoretical introduction to psychodynamic psychotherapy that is classic in its clarity and elegance. It has richly detailed examples of interpretation, confrontation, clarification, and working through.
Minuchin, S. (1974). Families and family therapy. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. This book proceeds from the systems theory base of family therapy. It details boundaries in normal and troubled families.
Strupp, H. H., Bender, J. L. (1984). Psychotherapy in a new key. New York: Basic Books. Based on the systematic study of a new technique, this book suggests a framework for much needed clinical research.
Yalom, I. D. (1970). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy. New York: Basic Books. Probably the most widely read and cited text on the subject, this book is based on objective and subjective data gathered in hundreds of hours of group psychotherapy. It describes curative factors and continues to serve as a benchmark for evaluation of group process.
References
Crawford, M. H. (1989). Briefings. Science 245, 934.
Greenson, R. R. (1967). The technique and practice of psychoanalysis. New York: International Universities Press.
Kales, A., Kales, J. D. (1984). Psychotherapy and behavior therapy. The evaluation and treatment of insomnia. New York: Oxford University Press.
Miller, I. W, Norman, W. H., Keitner, G. I. (1989). Cognitive—behavioral treatment of depressed inpatients: Six-and twelve-month follow-up. American Journal of Psychiatry, 146, 1274–1279.
Minuchin, S. (1974). Families and family therapy. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Perls, E, Hefferline, R. E, and Goodman, P. (1951). Gestalt therapy. New York: Crown Publishers/Bantam Books.
Strupp, H. H., Bender, J. L. (1984). Psychotherapy in a new key. New York: Basic Books.
Wittgenstein, L. (1953). Philosophical investigations (3rd ed.) New York: Macmillan.
Yalom, I. D. (1970). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy. New York, London: Basic Books.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1991 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Zarcone, V.P. (1991). Insomnia. In: Hauri, P.J. (eds) Case Studies in Insomnia. Critical Issues in Psychiatry. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-9586-8_6
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-9586-8_6
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-9588-2
Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-9586-8
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive