CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE

HOW TO CHOOSE A THERAPIST

A project submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Master of Ar-ts in

Education Educational Psychology, Counseling and Guidance

by

Eleanor Marder

August, 19 7 8 ~~ ~?oject of Eleanor Marder is approved:

(Date)

(Date)

t <::Z ~~Pt lfobert Docter) (]fate l

OAl~fornia State University, Northridge

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Acknowledgements

Thanks and appreciation to my committee: Bob Docter, Stan Charnofsky and Art Marion. Two special thank you•s to my husband, Frank, and my friend, Larry Ramirez.

iii To suffer one•s death and to be reborn is not . easy. ---Fritz Perls

iv TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page Acknowledgements ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• iii Quotation--Fritz Per1s ...... iv Table of Contents •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• v

Abstract .••. •-• ..... o ...... •-• •••• •-• •••••••.••••••• .- viii

Chapter

I INTENT OF :PROJECT ••• •'• ••••••••••••••••••••• 1 Introduction •••••••••••••••••••••••• -.... 1 Purposes of the Project...... 2 Method of Project Development...... 4 Limitations of the Project...... 5 II THE WHAT, WHEN, WHO AND HOW OF THERAPY ••••• 7 _Introduction...... 7 The Nature of Neurotic Experience...... 7 When Therapy is Needed •••••••••••••••••• - 8 What Therapy Is...... 9 The Goals o.f Psychotherapy ••••••••••• ~.. 9 Who Performs Psychotherapy...... 10 What Therapies have in Common...... 12 Therapy vs. Counseling...... 13 III THEORIES AND THERAPIES ••••••••••••••••••••• 14 Introduction...... 14

Outline •••. ·•.•...•. - ••.....••.••.. ·-~..... 15 Analytic Therapies--Introduction...... 17 Psychoanalytic Theory...... 18 Nee-Freudian Therapies--Introduction. 21 Goal-Oriented Individual...... 22 Archetypal Therapy...... 24

v ·Chapter Page The Human Potential Movement Introduction...... 25 Existential Theories--Introduction... 26 Cli·ent-Centered Therapy...... 27 Gestalt Therapy ...... " 29 Logotherapy...... 31 Actualizing TheT.aPY•••••·······~·· 32 Biofunetional Therapies--Introduction 33 ReichiSl'l Therapy...... 34 Bioenergetics...... 35 Modern Therapies--Introduction...... 36 Rational-Emotive Therapy...... 37 Reality Therapy.Da•••••••••••••••• 39 Feeling Therapy• .. ~·••••••••••••••• 41 Primal Therapy...... 43 Psychodrama. ~ ...... ·• • • • • 4 5 est ••••••••••••• o•••···~·········· 47 Group Approaches--Introduction...... 49 Traditional Group Therapy...... 50 Encounter Groups...... 51. ·Transactional Ana.l.ysis...... 53 Family Therapy...... 54 Behavior Therapies--Introduction..... 55 Transcendental Meditation...... 56 Sex Therapy...... 57 Assertion Training...... 59 Eclectic a.nd Integrated Therapy. • • • • • 60 Conclusion...... 61 ·Reading List...... 62

IV QUESTIONS TO ASK--GUIDE.FOR THE PERPLEXED •• 66 v FINDING A THERAPIST IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY--A PILOT PROJECT ...... 74

vi Chapter Page Methodology and Results•••••••••••••••• 74 Statistical Breakdown •••••••••••••••••• 77 Table.-• ...... 81 Directory of Therapists in the San Fernando Valley ••••••••••••••••••••• 84 VI GLOSSARY OF IMPORTANT TERMS IN COUNSELING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY...... 102 VII CONCLUSION •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 109

BibliographY•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 112

Appendix. ~ •••••••••••••••••_ •• ~ ••••••.••.••.••·• . • • • • • 114

vii. ABSTRACT

HOW TO CHOOSE A THERAPIST

by Eleanor Marder Master of Arts in Educational Psychology

This project is to assist the public in accomplishing the difficult task of choosing a therapist.. It achieves this by imparting some important, but often little-known information.. This information includes: defining what therapy is; the goals of therapy in general; a definition of the various practitioners of psychotherapy (psychia­ trists, psychoanalysts, psychologists, social workers, marriage, family and child counselors}; a section explain­ ing in concise fashion many of the varied theories and therapies now being practiced; a reading list to supple­ ment the abbreviated section on theories and therapies; a list of pertinent questions and answers the potential client might be interested in; a pilot project designed to give the potential client an. idea of psychological views on a more personal and practical level; and finally, a glossary of psychological terms to asslst the reader

viii· in familiarizing himself with some basic and often used psychological terminology.

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Chapter I

INTENT OF PROJECT

Introduction

This project is intended to assist ·the lay public in selecting a therapeutic approach and a therapist that will be best-suited to his or her own psychological difficulty, as well as philosophical lean~ngs. Most people who decide to enter a therapy situation are in pain, confused and frightened, and, most important of all, vulnerable. Their neediness often puts them in a state of desparation--somebody.o..o.anybody--HELP! So often these people enter into a therapeutic relationship totally naive about what lies ahead. Some may be fortunate in connecting with someone who: 1. has a basic life philosophy similar to their own; 2. may have a different life philosophy, but is able to understand, empathize and most importantly comprehend their own "reality"; 3. is very well-integrated; 4. works from a frame of reference that will be ad-

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·vantageous and productive for such a person. Unfortunately, the troubled person has no ability to ludge the first three items. At this point, he has little if any means to judge the fourth item either. With so many therapeutic approaches available to the person in need, how does he or she go about choosing the type of therapy suitable to his or her difficulties? There is no governing agency or group of therapists who recommend where to go for help. There is no informative guidance to be found in newspaper advertisements. Research has not clearly established which of the main therapy approaches is best for a given problem. Therapy and therapist are chosen informally--mostly by word of mouth. People are likely to ask their physicians, teachers, clergymen, or even friends for a recommendation. Usually they are interested in know­ ing what the therapy is like. Sometimes they may have read about the therapy in newspapers, magazines, or books.

Purposes of the Project

This project attempts a breakthrough in this important a_rea to aid the lay public. It consists of: 1. ·The What, When, Who and How of therapy; 2. Definitions of various kinds of therapies now available; 3· A Reading List; 4. Questions to ask when entering therapy; 5. A Pilot Study developed to aid the public in find­

ing a therapist in the S~ Fernando Valley, including.a Directory of Therapists in that area; 6. A Glossary of Psychological terms.

This will enable the layman seeking therapy to: 1. Und ers:tand a. tb.e nature. of neurotic experience;. b. When therapy is indicated; c. Khat therapy is; d. What the goals of therapy are; _e. who performs therapy; 2. Research a school of therapy that appeals to him both emotionally and intellectually, and broaden his know­ ledge of what he· chooses by having available to him read­ ing material defined by the Book List;

). Be inf~:rmed of significant questions he might ask before entering therapy, as well as while he is in therapy; 4. Have available a listing of licensed personnel who are affiliated with particular philosophical leanings; 5· Acquaint himself with new terminology.

In general,. this is an attempt to acquaint the reader with the principal therapeutic approaches to the various forms of emotional difficulty and, more importantly, to en­ able him or her to make a sound decision when faced with the all-too-common necessity of seeking help for personal 4

distress.

Method of Project Development

The compilation of theories and therapies was accom­ plished through reading books of anthologies of theories and therapies. The utilization of these anthologies, along with having read some Of _the original works of the founders of these theories, provided an examination of some 23 sys- terns of psychotherapy. A Reading List was developed from these anthologies, and from titles suggested by the therapists surveyed in the questionaire, as well as from my own readings. The questions in Chapter IV were taken from a chapter in Joel Kovel 1 s book, A Complete Guid.e To Therapy From Psychoanalysis to Behavior I'1odification ·(New York: 1976). The Directory of Therapists in the San Fernando Valley, though limited, is a start to give persons a feel for indi­ viduals who are practicing therapy and to what therapeutic philosophies they adhere. Fifty questionaires were sent out and the results are presented in Chapter v. The Glossary of Important Terms in Counseling and Psychotherapy was compiled by using three sources: 1. Chaplin, J. Dictionary of Psychology. New York: Dell, 1976. . 2. Harper, R. Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy: 36 Systems. New .Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1976. 5

). Kovel, J. A Com:Qlete Guide to "Pherapy from Psycho­ analysis to Behavior Mod.ification. New York: 1976.

Although the stated goal of this project was to inform the public of "How to Choose a Therapist", more specific goals come to mind. This is an educative process--a way to make public the "secrets" of therapy--to perhaps dissi­ pate some fears of the unknown.

Limitations of the Project

Care was taken not to evaluate the various theories, therapists and credentials. However, it should be noted that particular authors often had enthusiastic endorse- ments and criticisms of specific theories .. Some of the definitions sound "ambiguous". They· are!· By their very nature, they are "experiential" and therefore difficult to define, especially in the confines of this project. The differences in length of some def'initions are due to availability of material, as well as extent of the theory itself. It was intended only to give the reader a taste; if he wishes a meal, he can co.nsul.t the Reading List at the end of that chapter. Most theories have a name attached to them, i.e., one particular person who is most known and did most to create or make the theory known. Some theories have no one name synonymous with them;. This accounts for some of the differ- 6 ences in the headings of Chapter III. Finally, a short note on the usage of the words

"patient" and "client". ~ically these are interchange­ able terms. Specifically, I found that "patient" was used more by adherants to the medical model, such as the Freudians and neo-Freudians. "Clientm seemed more often employed by the educationally-oriented therapies, such as Client-Centered and practitioners ·or Transactional Analysis. This seems to fall in line with the evolution of the belief that people needing therapy were "sick" to the belief held by many today that people needing therapy are just that-­ people needing therapy. Chapter II

THE WHAT, WHEN, WHO AND HOW OF THERAPY

Introduction

Before embarking upon the journey into the various therapies, it is important to discuss some preliminary concepts necessary to the understanding of' these theories. They are: 1. The Nature of Neurotic Experience 2. When Therapy is Needed J. What Therapy is 4. The Goals of Therapy 5· Who Practices Therapy 6. What the Different Therapies Have in Common 7. Therapy vs. Counseling

The Nature of Neurotic Experience ·

One of the major characteri.sitics of' neurosis is com­ pulsion. This can manifest itself in forgetfulness and pho­ bias. The compulsive pattern is a1ways there to see. While the neurosis is often experienced as helpless-

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ness, a closer look reveals the "can1 t 11 to be a "won't"

11 {or udon't know how ). This helplessness is used to avoid

~he possible fear and pain of experiencing. Another factor in neurosis involves conflict. It is conflict within the person, as well as conflict between the person and his world. It is the tension between the inner and outer conflicts that results in the neurotic condition. Estrangement from one's own body as well as from other people occurs. It should be noted that these conflicts and tensions develop as part of the "normal" growth process. It is the extent to which they occur that separates "normal" from "neurotic" conflict. "Normal" conflicts are more manage­ able, whereas the "neurotic" conflicts leave one with a feeling of estrangement from oneself as well as from others.

When Therapy is Needed

The need for therapy often arises when one feels one's life is overwhelming, even to the point of feeling it is out of control, and that there is more pain and trouble than happiness. These feelings generate a sense of confu­ sion. Anxiety, the diffuse sense of approaching danger when the content of the danger is unknown, is another major sig­ nal. 9

Neurotic symptoms, such as obsessions, compulsions, phobias, hysterical atta~ks, etc .. , although less common than is generally thought, are also signs that therapy is needed. The difference between these neurotic symptoms and "normal" behavior again depends on the degree to which they occur. The neurotic symptoms interfere with the con­ duct of everyday life.

What Therapy Is

Kovel, Morse and watson define therapy as follows:

Therapies are an organization of.therapeutic strategies. They have an ideology, a certain view of the human world, a theory of· neurosis and health, a set of practices, a training pro­ gram, membership qualifications, training cent­ ers, etc. They have remarkable differences in basic assumptions, techniques and goals. (Kovel, 1976, PP• 42-43) Psychotherapy is a special f'orm of interaction between two or more individuals, in which the patient initiates the interaction by seeking psychological help and in which the therapist structures the interaction using psychological principles to aid the patient in gaining more control over his or her life through changing thoughts, feelings, and actions. The therapist's goal is tohelp the patient learn new behavior. The techniques for facilitating this learning process are quite different from one form of therapy to another, but all therapy is essen­ tially a learning experience for the patient. (Morse and Watson, 1977, p. 1)

~be Goals of PsychotheFapy

The ultimate goal in all therapies is to bring about 10 change in behavior and thus to relieve the patient's suffer­ ing, pain or unhappiness. The specific focus of psycho­ therapy is to help the individual gain more control over his or her own life by changing the behavior that seems to be causing the unhapp~ness.

Who Performs Psychotherapy

The mode of becoming a psychotherapist is to undergo established training procedures that lead to certification in certain professions. These trained professionals fall into five broad groups: psychiatrists, psychoanalysts, clinical psychologists, psychiatric social workers and marriage, family and child counselors.

1. A Psychiatrist is a medical doctor who special­ izes in treating disorders of the mind. He or she must be licensed by the State Board of Med.ical Examiners, like any other physician.

2. A Psychoanalyst is a psychiatrist who uses the Freudian analytic technique. Not all psychiatrists are psychoanalysts, because not all psychiatrists have taken specialized psychoanalytic training. And not all psycho­ analysts are psychiatrists because some psychoanalysts, known as lay analysts, have not had medical training.

3. A Psychologist must have a doctorate (Ph.D.) in 11

a behavioral science, and 3,000 hours of supervised clinic­ al experience. Psychologists are also licensed by the State Board of Medical Examiners.

4. and 5. Licensed Clinical Social workers (LCSW's) and Licensed Harriaget Family and Child Counselors (LMFCC 1 s) usually have a Master's Degree and 3,000 hours of supervised experience. They come under the juristdiction of the State Board of Behavioral Science Examiners. LMFCC 1 s are normally trained more intensively in the treatment of relationships, whereas LCSW's and psychologists tend to focus more heavily on Freudian theory •

.It should be noted that, .because only they are medical doctors, only psychiatrists and.some psychoanalysts are per­ mitted to dispense medication. It should also be noted that ·in most cases, medication is not necessarily a factor in the therapy situation. Such extreme cases as :;;leeplessness, extreme anxiety, etc. may be helped by medication. The "average" person seeking psychotherapy probably does not need the medical background of a psychiatrist. He will do well with a lay psychoanalyst, Clinical Social

worker, Psychologist or Marriage, Family ~d Child coun­ selor. Even if a person is in need of medication for a short period of time, the psychotherapist can work with the client's medical doctor to obtain the needed medication. As will be pointed out in further detail in the 12 chapter on Finding a Therapist in the San Fernando Valley

(Chapter V), the probability is that psychiatrists, be~ cause of their medical training, will charge more than the four other categories mentioned. As cost may be a con­ sideration in a person's choice of therapist, it is im­ portant to keep in mind that in this case, they are probab­ ly not forfeiting quality for cost.

What Therapies Have in Common

Before turning to the section on the different thera- pies,.here are some common characteristics of psychothera- py as identified by Harper:

1 •. One or more persons (clients) with some awareness of neglected or mishandled life problems; 2. One or more persons (therapists) with relative lack of disturbance who perceive the distress of the patient and believe themselves capable of helping the patient to reduce dis­ stress; 3. A positive regard of client fortherapist and v.io:e v

8. Emotional catharsis; 9. A Gradual process whereby the client learns to become independent of the therapist. (Harper, 1959, P• 9)

Therapy vs. Counseling

Counseling is seen as a short-term guide for an indi- vidual and often includes such factors as advice-gj.ving and imparting of information (such as a school counselor). Therapy is viewed as a more long-term process, involving deeper investigation into deep-rooted difficulties. Advice­ giving and imparting of information are also aspects of therapy, but again, often occur on a deeper level. Chapter III

THEORIES AND THERAPIES

Introduction

The purpose of this chapter is to present the vari­ ous categories of psychotherapy and their associated­ theories. They are presented in chronological order of their development. Entire books have been written about each therapy, so this section_should be viewed only as an overview. The intent is to assist the potential client in familiarizing himself with the most common theories in use today. As much as possible, there are indications to aid the reader in acquainting himself with the advantages and disadvantages of these therapies. It is hoped that this information will add to the reader's knowledge of what therapies might be most applicable to him in particu­ lar •. The chapter ends with a Book List organized accord­ ing to the therapies mentioned. Additional books of spec­ ial interest have been included.

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Outline \ This chapter includes the fol1owing theories and theorists: I. Analytic A. Psychoanalytic (Sigmund Freud) B. Nee-Freudian 1. Goal-Oriented Individual Therapy (Alfred Adler) 2. Archetypal Therapy (Carl Jung)

II. Post-Analytic A. Existential 1. Client-Centered Therapy (Carl Rogers) 2. Gestalt Therapy (Fritz Perls) 3· Logotherapy (Viktor Franki) 4. Actualization Therapy (Everett Shostrom) B. Biofunctional · 1. Beichian Therapy (Wilhelm Reich) 2• Bioenergetics (Alexander Lowen} c. Modern 1. Individual a. Rational-Emotive Therapy (Albert Ellis) b. Reality Therapy (William Glasser) o. Feeling Therapy· d •. Primal Therapy (Arthur Janov) 2. Group 16

a. Traditional Group Therapy b. Encounter groups c. est (Werner Erhard) d. Psychodrama (J. L. Moreno) e. Transactional Analysis (Eric Berne)

~. Family Therapy III. Behavior A. Transcendental Meditation B. Sex Therapy c. Assertion Training IV. Eclectic (Gordon Allport) 17

Analytic Therapies--Introduction

The Analytic Theories represent the founding school · of psychotherapy and for a long time were the only types of therapy. They are what :first comes to mind when most

11 people think of 11 therapy • They are called "analytic" be­ cause they tend to analyze, leaving the patient to resyn­ thesize. 18

Psychoar~lytic Theory--Sigmund Freud

Corsini sees Psychoanalysis as having three differ- ent meanings:

1. It is a system of psychology derived from Sigmund Freud which stresses particularly the role of.the unconscious and of dynamic forces in psychic functioning. 2. It is a form of therapy which uses primar­ ily free association and relies on the analysis of transferences and resistance. 3· It is sometimes used to differentiate the Freudian approach from Nee-Freudian approaches within the field of psychoanalysis proper. (Corsini, 1977, p. 1)

Freud's fundamental hypothesis was that'all psychic events have causes and that most such causes derive from the unconscious. Freud contended that the sources of ment- al disturbances were primarily sexual in nature. In his sexual development, the individual passes through four stages: the.oral, anal, phallic and genital. Fixation of too much of the libido (psychic energy, life force) of the individual at any of the pregenital stages bring correspond­ ing pathological psychicconditions. The time of greatest disturbance falls in the Oedipal period (within the phallic .stage). At this time, the individual struggles with lust for one parent and jealous conflict with the other. Success­ . ful resolution of the Oedipal conflict is a prerequisite to normal adulthood (the genital stage). 19

Classical Freudian psychoanalysis requires a comm1t­ ment by the patient to four or five sessions per week. The

< patient, usually lying 011 a couch, speaks freely about whatever comes to mind. This technique of free association describes the key activity of the patient. The analyst, usually seated behind the patient, lis- tens carefully, tries to abstain from criticism, advice- giving, moral condemnation, guidance, decision-making, suggestion, etc., and tries to remain on a level of inter- pretive work. His main task ·is 11 interpretation", that is, to make conscious the meaning of the material which the patient brings to him.

There is a minimum of the ordinary social interchange between them. ·The emphasis is on the process that takes place while the patient free associates on the couch and the doctor listens and interprets. (Burton, 1974, p. 40)

Classical, full-scale analysis remai.ns widely prac­ ticed, although as a percentage of the total amount of therapy given, it has diminished. The treatment is best-suited for neurotic problems, rather than psychosis or for situations where the problem is closely associated with a sudden environmental change (death in the family, separation, divorce) .• Kovel cites the following benefits and disadvantages of Freudian analysis: 20

The kind of person most likely to benefit from Freudian analysis is one with some verbal cap­ acity and a genuine curiosity about himself. If unambiguous and rapid answers are demanded of life, this is not a recommended form of treat­ ment. No one should enter analysis unless he is willing to make an openended commitment. The unfolding of the unconscious has to be given time, and a successful analysis can take years-­ usually three to five (four or five times a week)--an expensive proposition, even though most analysts charge no more per session than other therapists. (Kovel, 1976, p. 80) 21

Nee-Freudian Therapies--Introduction

The best-known "Nee-Freudian" schools are those of Adler and Jung. The "Nee-Freudian" therapies stemmed from dissatisfaction with Freud and the official Freudian establishment. The key distinctions from Freud may be summarized as follows: 1. Rejection of Freud's theory of instinctual drive, also known as the libido theory; 2. A complementary emphasis on "culture" or "inter­ personal relations 11 --i.e., on the influence from the world of' other people; 3· Coordinated with the home, an emphasis on those areas of mental life that reflect the interpersonal world: self-assertiveness, feelings of self-evaluation, security, etc.; 4. Modifications in practice that reflected this theoretical shift. Its main advantage is that it entails less commitment in time and money. A disadvantage is that it is more like­ ly tha...n the Freudian treatment to settle for a shallower self-understanding. 22 ..

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Goal-Oriented Individual Psychology--Alfred Adler

Harper has this to say about Alfred Adler:

Alfred Adler, the first to break with Freud (1911), developed a system of individual psy­ chology, which was based primarily on the con­ tention that emotional disturbances arose from feelings of inferiority and represented an in­ dividual1s striving for power. Adler de-empha­ sized sex as a factor in mental illness and stressed present life style and future life goals instead of unconscious past events. Adler also substituted a didactic, therapist­ directed interview for Freudian free association, with a relatively passive therapist. (Harper, 1959, P• 59)

His chief concept is that of the "creative self". This "creative self" is a personal, subjective system­ which interprets and makes meaningful the experiences of . the individual, and gives-thequalities of unity, consist- ency and individuality to the personality. The "style of life" is a distinctive, unique co·n­ glomerate of motives, traits, interests, and values which exhibit themselves in every act a person performs~ It is developed and established by the "creative self" and is formed in early childhood.

Burton sees Adlerian psychology essentially as:

1. the recognition and conceptualization of the basic mistakes in the patient's way of living, and 23

2. the conveyance of this understanding to him in a manner which he can accept. The phases of therapy are: 1. establishing and maintaining a good relation­ ship with the patient; 2. gathering data--an account of the patient's early formative years and how he expresses him­ self about it today; 3· interpreting--as the therapist gains his own understanding of the patient's life-style, he con­ veys this to the patient; 4. actively reconstructing--the therapist active­ ly directs the patient toward alternative ways of regarding himself and his circumstances. Part of this reconstruction is confrontation. (Burton, 1974, PP• 122-123) 24

ArchetyPal Therapy--Carl Jung

There is one basic assumption that runs through Jung 1 s work. This is the concept that the mind consists of

more tha~ can be experienced. This additional part, which he calls the "collective unconscious" is the most important of all the mental systems. For Jung there is a deeper, "transpersonal" uncon­ scious, that reflects the history of the human species. Within this "collective unconscious" are the so-called archetypes, which may be roughly defined as mythical themes. Prime place was given to dream analysis, since Jung saw.the dream as the most notable way the archetypes have of making themselves known. Jung deliberately prohibited free association. In­

stead he used the technique of 0 amplification", which amounted to expanding the dream content in dramatic terms within the dreamer's life. Jungian treatment takes a different course from Freudian. It more closely resembles what could be called "supportive psychotherapy": the patient and analyst sit ·face•to-face and a warm and positive relationship with the analyst is maintained through active intervention on the latter's part. Sessions usually are only once or twice a week for a year or more. 25

The Human Potential Movement--Introduction

The post-analytic, or humansitic therapies are a dis­ tinctly American and contemporary trend in therapy. These therapies have a distinct approach, yet all flow· together. Humanistic psychology is not a system, but a mood that tends to affect all of the varied therapies. Whole man is celebrated by the humanists, whether they approach him from the psychoanalytic side or from the

standpoint of the existential attitude, where man 1 s whole­ ness is to be sought through direct experience· rather than analytic reflection. The concern of the humanstic movement is less with the pathological and more with ordinary unhappiness and aliena­ tion. Much of the movement sees itself mainly as an edu- . cational venture. 26

Existential Theories--Introduction

Existentialism developed because of the growing alienation of modern man. The existential approach is carried out in the here and now of the therapeutic re­ lationship. This allows the therapist to be much more open in his response to the patient. Existential therapy defines an approach to emotional disorderand is not in itself a complete theory. An advantage is that awareness 1eads the individual to question all ready-made explanations. By minimizing ex­ planation, it minimizes the chance of' rationalization; and thus promotes acceptance of responsibi~ity for one's life. By being in the moment and de-emphasizing interpretative explanations, the individual is left with his or her immediate subjectivity. A disadvantage is that the laclr of explanation dis­ connects one from the past which can result in a form of one-sidedness, as precarious as the_one-dirnensional aspect of pure interpretation. 27

Client-Centered Therapy--Carl Rogers

!he word upositive" is key to understanding Carl Rogers in particular and the human potential movement in general. In Rogers, it is an intense belief in the good­ ness of man. "It has been my experience that persons have a basically positive direction--that is, constructive, mov­ ing toward self-actualization, growing toward maturity, growing toward socialization." (Rogers, 1961, p. 52) Rogers sees therapy as akin to good education, and more fundamentally, to the basic socialization process. It is a brief course of treatment--usually once a week for a year or less. There is little theory of infantile de­ velopment and· no emphasis on the kind of instinctual ex- planations favored by Freud. Harper states that Rogers postulates that psycho­ therapeutic personality change can and wi11 occur when the following conditions are ful:filled:

1. a psychological-contact between therapist and client; 2. a state of incongruence in the client; 3. a state of congruence in the therapist; 4. unconditional positive regard for and em­ pathic understanding of the client by the thera­ pist; s. and the client 8 s perception of the therapist's positive regard for and empathic understanding of him. 28

Diagnosis, professional knowledge, and other fre­ quently emphasized characterisitcs of the thera­ pist are not considered necessary by Rogers and may, indeed, according to him, be obstructive. (Harper, 1959, P• 95)

Rogerian therapy is designed for a wide spectrum of emotional states. It works best where the person doesn't have to go very far or deep. People from the relatively normal realm have worked with it, as have hospitalized schizophrenics. 29

Gestalt Th~rapy--Fritz Perls

Gestalt Therapy is more an attitude than a set of techniques. It teaches the client the process of being aware of what he is doing and how, rather than focusing on how he should be or why he is the way he is.

The simplicity of the gestalt approach is that we pay attention to the obvious, to the utmost surface. A good therapist doesn't listen to the content of the bull­ shit the patient produces, but to the sound, to the music, to the hesitations. verbal communication is usually a lie. The real communication is beyond words. (Perls, 1973, P• J4)

·clients learn to use their own senses to ·explore all aspects of their being and find their own solutions to their problemse The client does not adjust to a given sit- uati.on, but learns how to use his awareness in whatever sit­ uation emerges. The treatment is usually conducted in groups, although "group process" as such is not observed. Instead of meet­ ing regularly over a long period of time, the approach favors a concentrated 11 workshopw setting where the·rapeutic sessions are part of a total living experience for brief periods of time. Because of these concentrated workshops, the duration of therapy is usually shortened. One job of the therapist is to prevent delving into the past, or even outside the immediate therapeutic 30

situation. He catalyzes greater awareness of the here and now. Interpretation, the principal technique of analysis, is an anti-therapeutic interruption of the healing process. Gestalt is part of the humanist movement. It ranges in application from moderately severe neuroses to middle­ class alienation. · It is more emotionally demanding than Rogerian therapy. Since it concentrates on dealing with resistances instead of offering affirmation, it is less suited for counseling or for those suffering from psy­ chosis. It would be most helpful for overly intellectual­ ized neurotic people. Gestalt Therapy is very powerful and can therefore .be abused. This places a great demand on the Gestalt ther­

apist. Careful training is n~eded so that the therapist can learn to recognize how his or her personal responses affect the awareness and growth needs of the patient. The Gestalt approach urges a constant vigil on the therapist by the therapist. 31

Logotherapy--Viktor Frankl

Logotherapy is an existential approach to aiding the individua_l with problems of a philosophical or spirit­ ual nature. These are problems of the meaning of life--the meaning Of death, Of' SUffering, Of work, and Of love. Problems in these areas result in existential frustration, or a sense of meaninglessness in life. Existential frustration may exist without neurosis or psychosis, but it may lead to neurosis, and neuroses and psychoses have existential aspects. Logotherapy is di­ rected toward existential fr-ustration and the existential aspects of neurosis and psychosis. It is thus not a sub­ stitute for, but is complementary to, psychotherapy. Its aim is to bring out the ultimate possibilities of the patient and to realize his latent values; not to lay bare his deepest secrets. Logotherapy is especially helpful to those persons who have already achieved some measure of awareness. .32

Actualization Therapy--Everett Shostrom

Shostrom defines the troubled person as a 11 manipula- tor 11 • The goal or therapy is to become an 11 actualizer": a person who appreciates himself and others as "persons" rather than. things. No longer is the patient to be termed a psychotic or even a classical neurotic. He is a "person 11 who has a problem of living and has developed manipulative patterns of behavior which are self-d.efeating. In Shostrom's own words:

The process of actualization therapy can be thought of as a progression in awareness. It falls into three fundamental states: 1. Description of Primary Manipulation--As the patient talks, his manipulative patterns emerge and the psychologist describes to the patient what seems to be his primary manipu­ lative game or games. 2. Restoring·the Inner Balance--Once the basic manipulative pattern has been established, the therapist then asks the individual to exaggerate the manipulative·tendency so that he might ex­ perience its foolishness when expressed.to such ·an extreme (a technique also used by Gestalt therapists ) • 3· .Integration--The firial step is to put both active and passive polarities into a unified working whole. The patient is encouraged to express all of his active and passive potentials so that he might appreciate that actualization involves the integratfon of all his polarities into a unified whole. (Shostrom, 1968, p. 160) 33

Biofunctional Theories--Introduction

The biofunctional therapies of Wilhelm Reich and Alexander Lowen are based on the assumption that we live through the body. They feel that neurosis and healing alike affect our bodily organism, and verbalization and social intervention are to be minimized. It would be difficult for any individual to deny the existence of bodily symptoms of emotional difficulties. These range from relatively harmless occasional headaches, backaches and stomach aches to rather damaging illnesses, such as asthma and ulcers. The biofunctional therapies treat these and other symptom~ from a causal ·rather than from a medical standpoint. By applying natural methods of breathing exercises and bodily manipulation, rather than drugs and surgery, the biofunctionalists aid the client in dealing with his emotional problems through his body. The advantages of this approach are numerous. To be­ gin with, it helps the client avoid the use of possibly harmful drugs, which in fact may be treating the symptom rather than the illness. It also puts a person in touch with his body again and teaches him to use his body in a beneficial way. For the over-intellectualizer, it is an opportunity to reacquaint himself with an often forgotten part of himself--his body. 34

Reichian Therapy--Wilhelm Reich

Reich broke with Freud over the death instinct and masochism. After his.break with psychoanalysis, he began combining verbal and nonverbal techniques. He chose to focus on characterological blocks which he called "muscu­ lar armor". Reichian therapy concentrates on the breathing pro­ cess, muscular tension and movement pattern of an individu­ al. It should be noted that 11 pure 11 Reichian therapy in­ volves little if any verbal communication between thera­ pist and client. This could be considered a drawback for the potential client who is seeking a relationship-oriented therapy. On the other hand, this therapy could be very useful to those suffering from over-intellectualization. It focuses the patient's attention on his body. 35

Bioenergetics--Alexander Lowen ·

Alexander Lowen was a pupil of Wilhelm Reich's. He differs from Reich by paying more attention to the verbal contact as well as the biofunctional. Of all the manifestations of neurosis, one group is especially open to biofunctional treatment--the sexual. Because it does not take a person's environment or detailed psychological makeup seriously, biofunctionalism is not recommended where extensive interpersonal factors are pre­ sent or where deep self-knowledge is either needed or want­ ed. The mainadvantages of biofunctional therapies is that they provide contact with the body. This can also be a dis­ advantage, since it can make the body an end in itself, thereby ignoring other aspects of life. Again, this is more likely in Beichian therapy th13,n in. Bioenergetics. J6

Modern Therapies--Introduction

Modern psychotherapies have a "here-and-now" orienta­ tion. The influence of the past is considered only in the context of how it affects the present.. . Today 1 s therapists believe in description, not labeling. They feel that little is to be gained by labeling, since much of what makes the individual a unique person is lost in the label­ ing process. Modern therapies often last less than a year (some a matter of weeks or months), while the psychoanalytic patient could spend three, four, or more years in analysis. The relationship that develops between client and therapist is the main ingredient of modern therapies. 37

Rational-Emotive Therapy--Albert Ellis

Rational-Emotiye Therapy, also known as RET, is a method of psychotherapy developed by Albert Ellis. It borrows fr•om many disciplines, ranging from the phenomena- logical-existentialist to the operant conditioning schools of thinkinge Rational-Emotive Therapy focuses on having the client change his way of viewing his problem. Ellis believes that a person's negative·emotional reactions do not result directly from events or experience, but instead stem from his beliefs about them. RET attacks the client's irration- al beliefs and teaches and encourages rationality. Rational-Emotive Therapy tries to give the client un- conditional positive regard. However, instead of merely giving and modeling acceptance (as with Rogerian, Client­ Centered Therapy), the rational-emotive therapist explains · how the client ccn achieve self-forgiveness, whether or not anyone else in the universe (including the therapist) judges. and damns him or her. Burton sees three types of ins.ight occurring in Rational-Emotive Therapy:

1. The realization by clients that their self­ defeating behavior is.related to antecedent con­ ditions. Their original hostility of "trauma 11 was not caused by someone else's negative behav­ ior, but by their irrational reaction to this behavior; 38

2. The realization by the client that even when they became disturbed in the past, they are now suffering because they continue to indoctrinate themselves with the same kind of irrational, magical beliefs that they first chose. Clients acknowledge their own respons­ ibility and culpability for holding irrational beliefs and retraumatizing themselves by them today; 3· The rationalization by the client that be­ cause hi.s irrational beliefs are longstanding, because they are exceptionally powerful, be­ cause they are both biologically and socially rooted. and because they are still being active- 1y reinf'orced by the disturbed individual him­ self, it normally requires a tremendous amount of continuous and energetic hard work and prac­ tice to uproot and annihilate them. Anything less than his concerted, prolonged, and force­ ful attacking of his own basic irrationalities is unlikely to work too well. Bationa1-Emotive Therapy uses teaching, training, modeling and persuasion as.central techniques to effective therapye More than anything else, it is a didactic process.. (Burton, 1974, pp. 319- 320)

A major drawback that can be observed in Rational- Emotive Therapy is that it often minimizes or even avoids intense relationships between the therapist and the client. Again, if the client wants or needs a relationship with a therapist, this is not a therapy that would be recommended. 39

Reality Therapy--William Glasser

Reality Therapy was developed by Dr. William Glasser. The crux of the theory is personal responsibility for one's own behavior. In Reality ~nerapy, the therapist expects to bring about therapeutic change through his involvement with the client. They examine and evaluate the client's on- going behavior together and define a plan for change. The therapist seeks a commitment for action and accepts no ex- cuse for failure. Binder and Binder see the principles of Reality Therapy as consisting of:

1. Involvement--Basic to human beings is the need for involvement. For Reality Thera= py to work, the therapist must become involv­ ed with t~e person he or she is trying to help; the therapist, therefore, must be warm, personal, and friendly. 2. Evaluating The Behavior In the Present-­ The Reality Therapist asks the client to judge his behavior on the basis of whether he be­ lieves it is good forhim and good for the people he cares about. The Reality Therapist does not act as a moralist; he never tells a patient that what he is doing is wrong and that he must change. J. Planning Responsible Behavior--Once some­ one makes a value judgment, he or she must be helped to develop realistic plans for action to follow that judgment. A plan should never be made that attempts too much. The plan should be ambitious enough so that some change, small though it may be, can be seen, yet not so great that failure is likely. Plans are not final. If one does not work, successive plans can be made until a better one is found. 40

4. Commitment--The commitment may be verbal or written; it may be given to an individual or to a group. Commitment means involvement. A commitment is often more binding if it is in writing. S· Accept No Excuses--Because no excuses are accepted in Reality Therapy, it is rarely ask­ ed, "Why did you do it?" because it is believ­ ed that everyone involved knows the answer. An excuse is the easiest way o:ff the hook. Valid or not, to become successful, the patient must fulfill the plan. When someone does not fulfill his commitment, his failure should not be emphasized. 6. No Punishment--Not punishing is as import­ ant as not accepting excuses. (Binder and Binder, 1976, pp. 53-54)

Therapy occurs once or twice a week and is applicable to individuals with behavioral and emotional problems, as well as any individual or group seeking either to gain a suoeess identity for themt?elves and/or tohelp others toward this same goal. Beality Therapy may be used by anyone in a position of influence, such as parents,. teachers, ministers and employ- ers. Since Reality Therapy focuses strongly on behavioral aspects or a problem, it may tend to overlook some deeper roots of problems. Also, the acceptance of no excuses could be construed as a punishment in and of itself and may add to a person's guilt and resentment. This is a very structured therapy and could put a heavy burden on someone whose life may already be laden with heavy commitments. 41

Feeling Therapy

•Feeling Therapy is not just a new theory, but a way of life." (Binder and Binder, 1976, p. 80) The therapist tracks, focuses, counters resistance to developing, and facilitates the full expression of feeling. This is called "ordering". Each session ends with the patient's discussion of his feeling experiences~ .. Binder and Binder describe the therapy session as follows:

In the therapy session, the feelings are focused and experienced to a degree that a patient goes through what is called a cycle of complete feeling. It falls into five distinct but overlapping phases: 1. Initial or contact phase (Integration}-­ the therapist helps the patient express him­ self so that feelings surface in the present; 2. Counteraction--mix of past defenses and present expression is felt and expressed by the patient, resulting in an experiencing of the defenses as defenses, rather than reality; J. Abreaction--the antecedent of the defense is felt unmixed and separate from the patient's present life; 4. Proaction--a movement forward; 5· Re-integration.:..-a new level of feeling into the client's life. (Binder and Binder, 1976, p. 85)

Initially, the patient devotes himself full-time·to 42

therapy. During this initial phase (which lasts about a month), there are individual and group sessions,- as well as therapy-related activities. After about three months, the therapy is mostly group work with the patient becoming a co-therapist. co-therapy consists of patients who are encouraged, supported, trained and allowed to help one another. A therapeutic community is developed, which serves to remove the therapist from the lonely confines of an office, as well as building the patient's self-image into independence and helpfulness. Since Feeling Therapy is a way of life, the client-to­ be would do well to examine if a new way of life is what ne or she wants. This examination is particularly recommended

if the person is suffering from a behavior~related problem, such as overweight or sexual dysfunction. For the person feeling alienated and outside of things, feeling therapy . may be a good beginning to acquaint himself with groups and people. Primal Therapy--Arthur Janov

A basic aspect of primal therapy is that neurosis consists of a warded-off, actual "Pain" that contains all of an individual's infantile hurts and wrongs. This neu­ rosis starts as something done to the child by the parent. Janov does not believe that verbal insight or exist­ ential awareness, or biofunctionalism suffice in bringing about this deep-seated "Pain". The initial phase of therapy requires a three-week commitment on the part of the patient. He is given a written set of instructions which define the terms of the therapy. Included is a directive to do uexactly 11 as the therapist says. The client is reassured that no harm will be allowed to come to him. He then checks into a hotel and has open-ended sessions each day for the three-week period. Sessions generally last from two to three hours and are stopped when the therapist decides the patient has had enough. In each session, the therapist works toward the speci­ fic goal of getting the patient to express his deepest feelings toward his parents. After completing the three-week intensive phase, the patient returns to normal life while continuing treatment for about six more months with a Primal Group. The group 1 s 44 sole purpose is to facilitate one anotner in ac}!ieving each 1nd1vidua1 1 s "Primal''. There is no group "process" as such. Primal therapy may be considered applicable to all neurotic problems, however, it should only be considered by those who want to undergo extremes of experience and wish to drastically experiment with their lives .. It has been said that people who experience Primal therapy are very relaxed and "mellow" after having achieved their "primal", Apparently, they do need to "primal'' oeeasionally even after treatment has been completed. It should also be noted that persons who have experienced "primaling" don't seem to experience "highs" or "lows" in mood. If the potential client enjoys the thought of such a "middle-of-the-~ag\1 11 existence, this therapy may be just the one for them. If missing out on "pure joy" seems a negative price to pay for los1ng the "lows", the client-to­ be may want to consider that. There are few therapies so susceptible to quackery aa primal therapy. Since Primal therapy has been spreading, it ie difficult to give any firm guidelines as to where the reader can stay clear of potential abuses. Caution is rec­ ommended in checking out the qualifications of the primal therapist. Psychodrama--J •. L. Moreno

Psychodrama is a therapeutic approach developed, by J. L. Moreno. Roback describes it this way:

The psychodramatic method uses five instruments: the stage, the subject or patient, the director, the staff of therapeutic aides of auxiliary. egos, and the audience. 1. The stage provides the patient with a living space which is multi-dimensional and flexible to the maximum. 2. The patient is asked to be himself on the stage and to portray his own private world. 3. The director has three functions: a. Producer--to be on the alert to turn every clue which the subject offers into dramatic action; to make the line of pro­ duction one with the life-line of the sub­ ject, and never to let the production lose rapport with the audience; b. Therapist--attacking artd shocking the subject-is at times just as permiss~ble as laughing and joking with him; at times he may become indirect and passive so that for all practical purposes the session seems to be run by the patient; c. Analyst--he may complement his own interpretation by responses coming from · informants in the audience: husband, parents, children, friends, or· neighbors. 4. The staff of auxiliary egos have a double significance: a. they are extensions of the director, exploratory and therapeutic; b. they are also extensions of the patient, portraying the actual or imagined personae of their life drama. 46

The functions of the auxiliary ego are three­ fold: (1) the actor, portraying roles required by the patient 1 s world; (2) therapeutic agent, guiding the subject; (j) social investigator. 5· The audience has a double purpose: a. may serve to help the patient by being a sounding board of public opinion; b. the audience is helped by the subject, thus becoming the patient himself; the sit­ uation is reversed. The audience sees it­ self, that is, as one of its collective syndromes portrayed on the stage. (Roback, 1968, pp. 681-684) 47

est--Werner Erhard

est, Latin for "it is" and an acronym for Erhard Seminars Training, is the first treatment to work with groups the size of a crowd.. Large groups (around 2.50 people), paying $2.50 each, meet for two successive Saturdays and Sundays in a hotel bal1room, sitting on hard wooden chairs, unable to eat or go to the bathroom except once each day. The sessions last about sixteen hours. The group is harangued, either by Erhard or one of his "train­ ers", on the est approach. It is exposed to Erhard's phil­ osophy of life and given a set of directed meditations on the current dilemnas of life. In addition, there are peri­ odic confrontations between individua1s and the trainer. No one is required to speak. The philosophy promoted by est is basic human potential subjectivism. It seems that est has discovered how to com­ press and intensify the basic psychotherapeutic maneuver of defense breakdown. It appears that est is successful in putting people in touch with their deeper feelings and re- ·leasing personal energy. Est people seem to be made aware that est is not a proper approach for severe emotional dis­ turbances, but can act as a supplement to psychotherapeutic technique. For people who have had some exposure to psychotherapy, 48

est may be a good opportunity to get an amplified taste of what more therapy can bring to them. For the beginner, it may do the same. If a person is fearful of what therapy may bring, this is not a recommended form of exposure to begin with. 49

Group Approaches--Introduction

.Group therapy looks at people in relationships with others rather than from the vantage of their individual subjectivity. The individual learns to see himself through the eyes of others. Behavior change can occur more rapidly due to the intensity of feeling and risk-taking. Problems, such as conflicts with authority and peers, can be dealt with extensively in the group setting. It should be noted that group treatment cannot go as far or deep into a person's life as can individual treat­ ment, which may be a drawback of using group therapy ex­ clusively. An important advantage is the cost, since it is. usually less than individual therapy. .. .50

Traditional Group Therapy

Tra(litional group psychotherapy is the basis of group therapy. The group may be comprised of any number of people from various backgrounds, or it may be made up of people who are also in one-to-one therapy with· the group leader. Sometimes there may be two or more thera­ pists. This is called "conjoint" therapy and allows for a wider range of interaction possibiiities. In. group treatment, there are those who favor concen­ trating on the individual persons as they respond to the group setting·, and there are others who prefer focusing on the group as a whole (group process) and allowing individu­ al themes to emerge as they will. These tl'IO approaches are a matter of emphasis and style, and only one of these two can be attended to at one time. 51

Encounter Groups

Encounter groups represent a method of human relating based on openness and honesty, self-awareness, self-respons­ ibility, awareness- of :the--body, attention to feelings-and an emphasis on the here-and-now. Encounter is educational and recreational in that it.attempts to create conditions leading to a more satisfying use of personal capacities. A wide variety of methods are used in encounter includ­ ing nonverbal techniques, often borrowed from other approaches and sometimes created to meet specific situations. Self-awareness is stressed for a group leader, especial­ ly since encounter leaders tend to get involved personally in the group .. An important point to consider is that often people do not enter an encounter group as patients seeking help with theiremotional disturbances (much less 11 illness"), but as normal individuals who want more joy, warmth, meaning, spontaneity, etc., in their lives. They come to add some-· thing positive, not to remove something negative. Encountering in groups can lead to a lot of hostility. This, as well as a group's tendency to scapegoat, can be considered a drawback of encounter groups. However, if the group leader is a capable one, the problem of scapegoating can be handled constructively. 52

It should be noted that often the results of an en­ counter experience, whether negative or positive, can have a lasting effect on the individual. Needless to say, if the experience was negative, he or she should make avail­ able to him- or herself the opportunity to meet with some­ one (perhaps the encounter leader) to work through the difficulty. 53

Transactional Analysis--Eric Berne

The object of Transactional Analysis (also called T. A.) is to develop a level of awareness which enables the individual to make new decisions regarding the course of his life. It is a contractual form of treatment in which the patient specifies what he expects to achieve by being in therapy. The contract defines what will take place in the therapeutic relationship and when the relation­ ship will end, i.e., when the contract objectives are achieved.

Transactional Analysis i~ an educational device rather than a delving into a person 1 s his.tory. It is a tool to be used by all. This makes Transactional Analysis both an ad­ vantageous and a disadvantageous type of therapy. For those who wish to delve deeply into their psychological state, Transactional Analysis is not useful. However, for those who wish to have a tool at their disposal, a way of helping themselves deal on a day to day basis, Transactional Analy­ sis may be beneficial. 54

Family Therapy

Family therapy is not so much a school of therapy as a redefinition of the therapeutic process itself. The family therapist observes the family's interactions until he is clear about the rules governing the behavior of the family system~ He then intervenes, focusing on be­ havioral interactions of family members. Family therapy may be useful in marital problems as well as overt problems of childhood and adolescence. It tends to be relatively less expensive and briefer than individual treatment. Fam­ ily therapy tends to promote more responsible attitudes toward other people, in contrast to individual therapies whose ettiphasis on the self may be lnterpreted as selfish­ ness. Family therapy involves fewer risks than other types of therapies, because the family is adapted for security. Conflicts that do arise can be considered a positive thera­ peutic effect. 55

Behavior Therapies--Introduction

All therapy involves some direction by the therapist and some learning by the patient, shaped by the therapist's direction. In behavioral therapy, however, the person and problem are at different levels. The problem is never construed as part of the whole self, therefore, the therapist is free to approach the problem aggressively without fearing damage to the therapeutic relationship. TWo types of situations when it is best to regard a problem behaviorally are when one chooses to believe in the unimportance of the subjective world, and where practical considerations dictate a temporary removal of the subject­ ive. It should be noted that safeguards against oversimpli­ fication of a problem can be taken by understanding the nature and limits of the procedure being used. Both patient and theraplst have a respon!=!ibility here. Some lmowledge of the therapist's reputation would be especially helpful. 56

Transcendental Meditation

Transcendental Meditation is a simple mental technique that has been scientifically documented to relieve the symptoms of stress, enrich interpersonal relationships in­ crease happiness, and improve academic and job performance. The TM Center located in Tarzana defines seven steps in their program. The first step is a free introductory lecture which occurs on Wednesday evenings and lasts about one hour. On Thursday evening there is a free lecture which also lasts about.one hour. Saturday, the individual receives one to two hours of personal instruction and Sunday, Monday and Tuesday there are approximately one-hour group meetings wherein further information is given to enhance intellectual understanding of the process. The oost of this is called a "one-time" fee of $150 (for students) and $200 for an adult working full-time. There are special fees for couples. The technique can be learned by anyone and is practic­ ed for two 15 or 20 minute sessions a day. While· meditating, one sits in a comfortable position with the eyes closed.

Fach person is given a "mantra 0 which is only for that per­ son to know and no one else. The Transcendental Meditation technique has been shown to relieve anxiety, a basic to mental illness. 57

Sex Therapy

Because a great deal of its practice is with married couples, sex therapy can be considered a type of family therapy. Generally, sex therapy is·for couJrles whose sexual life is dissatisfactory to them, yet whose relationship remains fairly intact. Often they suffer from inhibition or ignorance. These marriages may have neurotic factors also, but often ignorance may be the key problem in the sexual dysfunction. Sex therapy is a mixture of psychotherapeutic, be­ havioral and physiological methods. A sexual problem is seen as a shared problem, therefore, a man and wife are treated together. T~ere is usually a male-female therapy team, so that there is someone of the same sex with whom both the husband and the wife can identify. The first step in therapy is usually a thorough medi­ cal and sex history taken of both parties. A medical ex­ amination is a standard requirements before sexual therapy, along with drug histories to see if· medications might be a possible cause of the dysfunction. A roundtable discussion ensues, reviewing the findings of the therapists. A course of treatment is then decided upon. TWo stages in the therapy program consist of "sensate 58 focus", a learning to communicate what feels good and what doesn't feel good, and "mutual stimulation", both of which occur without any attempt to engage in intercourse. The central theme stressed.is the necessity for continued communication between the partners. After the initial stages have been completed, the therapy continues, taking a direction which is dependent upon the presenting problem. Sex therapy seems to work best with difficulties that have a clearcut behavioral aspect~ such as vaginismus (an involuntary spasm of the vaginal muscles, making penetration impossible) or premature ejaculation. It should also be noted that, despite all that has been learned of late, sex therapists have an easier time dealing with male sexual behavior. Thus, it is generally less difficult to treat men than women in a sexually be­ havioristic way. 'l'his could mean that if a woman cannot be helped by behavioral sex therapy, she may have to seek other kinds of therapy to help her with her difficulty. It does not mean that her difficulty cannot be dealt with successfully. 59

- Assertion Training

•Assertion Training ·is primarily concerned with two major interpersonal goals: anxiety reduction and social skill training." (Binder and Binder, 1976, p. 166) It involves a multiple set-of procedures (basically-behavior­ al) whose goals are to enhance an individual's self-dignity and self-respect. An assertive individual is seen as one who can verbally and nonverbally express a wide range of feelings, emotions and thoughts, make decisions and free choices in life, comfortably establish close interpersonal relationships, protect himself from being taken advantage of, and successfully satisfy interpersonal needs. These skills are to be accomplished without experiencing undue amounts of guilt and anxiety and without violating the rights and dignity of ethers. Assertion Training consists of various verbal exer- cises, usually in a group situation. These exercises allow the individual to recognize manipulative behaviors aimed against him and help him develop skills to negate the man­ ipulative behavior of others. 60

Eclectic and Integrated Theory--Gordon Allpor~

Eclecticism is a point of view. The word "eclectic"

comes from the Greek word meaning 0 to select". To be an eclectic means to select parts from a variety of theories. A true eclectic tries to maintain an open mind in order to percieve the elements of truth in any theory. The therapist selects his approach from a wide variety of theories and techniques currently available. The eeleetic therapist must,be able to incorporate new informa­ tion as it appears, and must ultimately judge for himself what is useful and what is valuable among the many theories available, being aware that there is no simple or single answer. Many therapists today, although they favor a particular basis of orientation would admit to some amount of electic- ism. 61

Chapter III--Conclusion

This chapter has attempted to examine the major psychotherapeutic theories that are currently available. It spans the diversity of the specific techniques and attitudes of the Psychoanalysis of Sigmund Freud, the Rational-Emotive Theory of Albert Ellis, the Reality Therapy of William Glasser and the non-specific approaches of Viktor Frankl and Gordon Allport. Each therapy has been stated along with situations which might be most advantageous or disadvantageous to the client-to-be. The person entering into a therapeutic re­ lationship will surely have a better understanding of the extent and limitations of each therapy discussed. Following is a reading list included for those who might have come across a therapy that particularly appeals to him and would like to learn more about it. The list has been arranged according to the order of appearance of the therapies discussed. In addition, other books of gen­ eral interest in the field of psychology have been included. 62 ...

Reading List

Psychoanalytic Theory--Sigmund Freud Hall, c. A Primer of Freudian Psychology. New York: Mentor, 1954.

Goal-oriented Individual Psychotherapy--Alfred Adler Adler, A. The Practice and Theory of Individual Psycholo­ gr. Paterson, New Jersey: Littlefield Adams, 1963. Adler, A. Understanding Human Nature. New York: Green­ berg, 1929.

Archetypal Therapy--Carl Jung Hall, c. and Nordby, v. A Primer of Jungian Psychology. New York: 1973·

Jung, c. Man·and His Symbols~ New York: Doubleday, 1964.

Existential Theories May, R. (Ed.). Existential Psychology. New York: Random House, 1961.

Client-Centered Therapy---Carl Rogers Rogers, c. On Becoming a Person. Boston: Houghton-Mifflin Company, 1961.

Gestalt Therapy--Fritz Perls Latner, J. The Gestalt Therapy Book. New York: Bantam Books, 1976. Perls; F• Gestalt Therapy Verbatim. Utah: Bantam Books, 1973· Perls, F. The Gestalt Approach and Eyewitness to Therapy. Palo Alto: Bantam Books, 1976. 63

Polster, E. and M. Gestalt Therapy Integrated. New York: Vintage Books, 1973~

Logotherapy--Viktor Frankl Frankl, v. Man's Search for Meaning. New York: Washing- . ton Square Press, 1963. Frankl, V. The Doctor and the Soul. New York: Knopf, 1965.

Actualization Therapy--Everett Shostrom Shostrom, Everett. Man,· the Manipulator. New York: Bantam Books, 1968.

Reichian Therapy---Wilhelm Reich Reich, Wilhelm. Character Analysis. .New York: Farrar, Strauss and Giroux, 1949.

Bioenergetics--Alexander I.~owen L-owen, A. Bioenergetics. Pennsylvania: .Penguin Books, 1975·

Rational-Emotive Therapy--Albert Ellis Ellis, A., and Harper, R. A Guide to Rational Living. Inglewood. Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1961. Ellis, A. Reason and Emotion in Psychotherap;zr:. ·New York: Lyle Stuart, 1970.

Reality Therapy--William Glasser Glasser, w. Reality Therapy. New York: Julian Press, 1967.

Feeling Therapy

Hart, J., Corriere and Binder, J .. Going Sane: .An Introduction to Feeling Therapy. New York: Jason Aaronson, 1975• 64

Primal Therapy--Arthur Janov Janov, A. The Primal Scream. New York: Dell, 1971.

Psychodrama--J• L. Moreno

Moreno, J. L. Psychodrama. New York: Beaco~, 1946.

Transactional Analysis--Eric Berne Berne, E. Games People Play. New York: Grove Press, 1964. Berne, E. What Do You Say After You Say "Hello"? New York: Grove Press, 1972. Steiner, c. Scripts People Live. New York: Bantam Books, 1975.

Family Therapy Bach, G. and Wyden, P. The Intimate Enemy--How to Fig-ht Fair in Love and Marriage. New York: Aveon Books, 1970. Sa.tir, v. Conjoint Family Therapy. Palo Alto: Science and Behavior Books, 1967.

Behavior Therapy · Wolpe, J. The Practice of Behavior Therapz. New York: Pergamon Press, 1969.

Transcendental Meditatiol! Bloomfield, H., Cain, M., Jaffe, D., and Kerry, R. TM: Discovering Inner Energl and Overcoming Stress. New York: Delacorte Press, 1975.

Sex Therapy Masters, w. and Johnson, v. Human Sexual Response. Boston: Little Brown, 1966. 6.5

Other Books of Interest

Fromm, E. Man for Himself. New York: Rinehart, 1947. Fromm, E. The Art of Loving. New York: Bantam Books, . 1963. Gibran, K. The Prophet. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1966. Gordon, T. Parent Effectiveness ·Training. New York: 1970. Greenwald, J. Be the Person You were Meant to Be. New York: Dell, 1976.

Newman, M. and B·erkowirz, B. · How to be. Your Own Best Friend. New York: Ballantine Books, 1974. Prather, H. I Touch the Earth, the Earth Touches Me. New York: . Doubleday· & company, Inc. , 1972 • Prather, H. Notes to Myself. Utah: Real People Press, 19?0. Reik, T. Listening with the Third Ear: The Inner Experi• ence of a Psychologist. New York: Farrar, Strauss and ·cudahy,·l949. Schofield, w•. Psychotherapy: The Purchase of Freindship. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Pr~ntice-Hall, 1964. Williams, M. The Velveteen Rabbit. ·New York: Avon Books, '1975• Chapter IV

QUESTIONS TO ASK--A GUIDE FOR THE PERPLEXED

Joel Kovel {A Complete.Guide to Therapy from Psycho- . . . analysis to Behavior Modification. New York: 1976) has developed a set of questions and answers in an attempt to aid the potential client understand what therapy will mean to him. The liberty has been taken to quote sections of this chapter to further assist the lay person in choosing a therapist.

Choice in therapy begins with deciding whether to begin and who to begin with, but it continues throughout the process of treatment and into evaluation of the outcome. As a guide to this development, some topics relevant to the various stages are taken up below. The aim is not to give any pat answers--which would be contrary to the spirit of autonomy--but to help the read­ er frame the right questions.

1. Can Everybody be Helped by Therapy? Everybody can be helped by some therapy if appropriate goals are set for his particu­ lar situation. By the same token, some thera­ pies are wrong for everybody. Either the values of the therapy clash too much with their own, or it makes demands that they are unprepared to fulfill. Many people have been thrust into psychodynamically-oriented therapy when the real dynamics of their situation called for material support or some degree of actual control over their lives.

66 67

2. Does Therapy Involve a Necessary Loss of Self-Reliance? Many people have refused to seek help on the grounds that therapy encourages dependency, which they equate with weakness. If this is a freely held value, then there is little more to say, except.to point out that it is one which runs against the program of all civilization, since everything we are as humans is a social product based on mutual dependence. Too often, however, the value is not held freely, but is rather a neurotic overcompensation. Some people are so beset by conscious conflicts about passivity and dependency that they com;.. pulsively flee any situation, such as therapy, wherein they may experience the forbidden feel­ ings. Nevertheless, there is a grain of truth to the complaint in some circumstances. Hany a therapist has exploited his patients and com­ promised their autonomy by setting themselves up as an all-giving god or a perfect breast. 3· Can Therapy Ever Hork if it is Carried on Under External Compulsion?

Such ~tters are never simple. What is dubious from the political or ethical stand­ point may still bear fruit in terms of chang­ ing behavior. Even the most seemingly motivated person harbors hidden resistances toward therapy, and certain reluctant ones may secretly want to be coaxed. To the extent that a person enters treatment of his own volition, so will the chances for a good outcome be improved. And where the treatment is relatively involuntary, the therapist had best not be a double agent representing the enforcing power a.s well as the client. 4. Taken all in all, is the Quality of the Therapist more Important than the Mode of Treat­ ment? And how can one Judge his Quality? Although it has countless manifestations, harm in therapy usually occurs as a result of 68

a too-rapid dissolution of' defenses against deep a.rucieities. It is not therapies as such that are ineffective. They all have their limits--practical, theoretical, moral and otherwise--but within these limits they are all designed to work, ir they are properly applied. And, as all or them have to be applied by the person of' the therapist, it follows that, no matter what the forms of treatment, for therapy to work at all, the therapist must possess certain characteris­ tics: a. He or she should be able to sense what is going on psychologically within another person; b. Be attuned to communications, both as receiver and sender; c. Form balanced rational judgments while keeping himself open to feelings; d. Be able to fle·xibly adapt to chang­ ing circumstances w·ithout losing identity or purpose; e. And, most essential of all, maturely care for thewell-being of the client. By "maturely care" is meant that the therapist should wish for the patient's growth as a person ~or the patient's own sake, not the therapist•s. Given this predicament, the best that can be offered in ans1ter to the second question is to bear in mind the poss.ibility of self-distor­ tion, and then go ahead to judge as best one can. And of all criteria for judgment, the most important are_to sense in the therapist a ·basic desire to help and a basic ethicaL re­ spect for one's personal integrity. Withouta trusting feeling of.this kind, no treatment can begin. 5. What about Professional Qualifications? Is itbest that the Therapist be a Physician? The real training f'or most therapists takes place outside their regular degree-grant­ ing education. As with professional training in general, the kind of training a therapist has received can only establish a certain probabil­ ity of skill and integrity. Training in itself does not guarantee the promotion of virtue. Nor, however, does lack of established credentials rule out merit. By the same token,-although by and large a therapist grows through continued ex­ perience, there are many instances in which a younger, less experienced person might strike up a better relationship with a patient than .an old hand. , In sum, the prospective client should take nothing for granted where the qualifications of a therapist are concerned. The most essential consideration is to be able to form a proper working relationship; all other factors should be examined in this light. 6. · What about Cost.? And is Private care Better than Public? The fact is, whatever else they want, therapists are out to make a living and they tend to charge what the traffic will bear. Like most other valuable commodities in our society, they become the property of the well-to­ do. Interestingly enough--although it should be little consolation--the very rich often get short-changed in therapy, because their power insulates them from disillusionment. Hence they often hire, at great expense, drug-pushing psychiatrists instead of somebody who might deal honestly with their problems but possibly shake them up. · There is no reason why equally good treat­ ment cannot be given in a clinic or public facility--as in fact happens in numerous places. 7• What is the Importance of Confidentiality in Therapy? However neurotic experience is elaborated, it invariably involves much about which the indi­ vidual feels afraid, ashamed or guilty.. Every therapeutic situation, then, entails exposure of things that could be ~ source of humiliation, and the power of the ·therapist follows from the trust which the patient must feel if he is to reveal even the outer shell of this side of himself. There would be no surer abuse of that power than 70

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for the therapist to violate that trust. Confidentiality is in every instance an ethical value in therapy. The patient has the right to be assured that every reasonable effort is being made to preserve confidentiality. 8. What Other Rights Should the Patient Expect? He has the right to know the basic assump­ tions and methods of the treatment being under­ taken; to make sure that he and the therapist share the same goals for himself; to have a clear understanding of his obligations, both in the conduct of the treatment and with respect to fees, etc.; and to feelfree to terminate the treatment at any time. 9. What Rights does the Patient not have? Basically, the patient does not have the right to compel the therapist to deviate from his chosen role so long as this is a legitimate one. And if agreement can 1 t be reached on whether it is or not, the therapy had best be terminated. 10. What about Sex with the Therapist? Although it is more talked about than done, sex between therapist and client is no rarity. While sex may indeed get things moving, when it is sex with a figure onto whom one has projected the most intense infantile images and in whom at the same time one has placed one•s trust, then the direction in which things will begin moving is likely chaos. 11. To What Extent does Belief in the Therapist play a Role in what Happens? In the majority of cases, to too great an extent; and in every case to some extent. Ther­ apy can never be freed from suggestion, at least not so long as neurosis entails suggestibility. The task is to ground this faith in something thoroughly worthwhile,.. and such a basis must in­ cl~de primarily a respect for the autonomy of the patient. 71

12. What Effects may be expected on Family Life while One is Und.ergoing Therapy? Therapy usually leads a person on a journey that involves reliving old suffering. Although the goal is eventual mastery, it is safe to ex­ pect some periods during which one both feels and acts worse than ever. In the best of cir­ cumstances, ·a tolerance for increased moodiness and demandingness is required of other family members. In still other instances, a spouse in therapy may pass through a phase where, in re­ living old sexual conflicts, he or she may act them out, either by seekingaffairs outside the marriage and/or inhibiting sex within it. Whatever the manifestation, individual treat­ ment always introduces some tension in life with others, simply because of basic contradictions between individual and social interests. In many instances things settle down, and the fam­ ily unit is reconstituted on a more solid basis. But in many others, divorce or some other rupture is the consequence. The potential hazards have kept many people from seeking analytic treatment or have led them into family treatment--and indeed may be regarded as one of the sources of the family therapy move­ ment itself. As for children, they are always affected by treatment, whether or not they direct­ ly participate. 13. WhY should sexuality play such a·special Role in Therany? Isn1t there an Overemphasis on Sex, and a Downnlaying of other Key Issues in Much Therapy? · The importance of sexuality in therapy is mainly a function of method. For some people, unresolved sexuality lay at the root of their neurosis. These people needed Freudian treat­ ment, just as those with power conflicts should see Adlerians, W'nile those having conflicts of the spirit should turn to Jung. 14. How do Drugs Affect the Course of Psycho­ logical Treatment? Put simply, psychoactive drugs generally 72

have four types of effects: a. they sedate, or lower the general level of consciousness (e.g. barbiturates); b. they excite consciousness (e.g. amphetamines); · c. they relieve ar.xiety without much al­ tering consciousness (e.g. pheothiazines); d. they counteract certain types of severe ·depressed feelings, again without major· alterations in consciousness (e.g. imiprimine or Tofranil). They are mainly helpful when the problem is in a significant v-vay organic or where some emergency situation arises. Except in cases where psychotic anxieities (which have an organic component) are rendering someone incommunicado, whenever a person takes a drug as an adjunct to psychotherapy, he is necessarily limiting the area in which he· accepts responsibility for his thoughts and hence his life. The reader should especially beware of physicians who casually dispense drugs. 15. How can one Tell Whether Therapy is Working? In treatment where the goal is clearcut and the approach is specific and limited--e.g., be­ havioral sex therapies--there is no problem. Either the behavior is changed or it is not. In other treatments, however, things are less determinate and more difficult to evaluate. In some instances of psychoanalytic treatment, the goals are so elusive that years can go by while analyst and client are trying to figure out whether the goals are being real.ized. -As noted earlier, when one deals with conflict, getting better may involve a period of feeling worse. The question hinges on whether or not the goals of the treatment a:t'e experienced as an ongoing aprocess 11 • In other terms, one should not look so much for Himprovement" as for ''discovery". In analytic work, one should expect a progressive unfolding of feelings. In other forms of 11 un­ oovering11 therapy, a similar process would have to be felt according to the terms of the treatment. '73

For real benefit to occur, the therapeutic process must involve life outside the session in a thorough and consistent way. Note that a working therapy proceeds by steps. If dynamic therapy is to take a hold, it is in stages. Changes developing within the treatment make possible some movement outside, which creates in turn the condition of further developments within, and so forth. It turns out that even thebest treatments do not follow any neat progression; rather, per• iods of stagnation, or even backsliding, are to be expected. Periods of stagnant despair can be expected in many eventually successful treat­ ments. 16. What about Winding up Treatment? \

It might. On the other hand, therapy T.'lell­ used can free creative forces which had been bogged down in neurosis. (Kovel, 1976, pp. 224--244) Chapter V

FINDING A THERAPIST IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

A PILOT STUDY

Methodology and Results

In May of this year, the questionaire which appears in the Appendix was circulated among fifty psychotherapists in the Sherman Oaks and Encino areas· of the San Fernando Valley. A preliminary survey indicated these two areas contained the largest population o:f psychotherapists in the San Fernando Valley. The names, addresses and telephone numbers of these therapists were obtained in the fol.1ovling manner: The Yellow Pages•-Pacific Telephone (canoga Park,

·North Hollywood, Reseda, van Nuys:~' Agoura} of March, 1978 was utilized .. The following headings were .scrutinized: 1. Marriage, Family and Chil.d. counselors 2. Psychiatrists J. Psychoanalysts 4. Psychologists 5. Social Workers

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Specific specialities were selected from the following: Jungian, Gestalt, Neo-Reichian, Sex Therapy, Group,

I Family, Individual, Drug, Alcoholism, Hypnosis, Marital, etc. These are the kinds of descriptive terms the thera­ pists used for themseives when placing their advertisements in The Yellow Pages. Of the fifty questionaires sent out, sixteen were re­ turned. One of these was blank. The results from the re­ maining questionaires follow.

In attempting to question the therapists in relation to their practice, I placed myself in role of client to see what questions were important to me. I selected question 1 becuase I felt it was important for a troubled individual to realize that there are many presenting problems brought to a therapist. Also, it should be noted that a therapist dealing mostly with a particular problem, such as sexual dysfunction, e.g.·, might be ill-matched to a client who has an existential problem. Many people fear that therapy is a life-time commit• ment. That was the reason for question 2. Along with this, the first page of the questionaire included a ques­ tion of fee schedule. Here again, many people are not aware that therapists do in some cases, make monetary con­ cessions to those less able to pay full fee. 76

Questions 3 and 4 were included to test my hypothesis that therapists want to let their clientele in on their •secretsu; that often the feeling that the therapist is omnipotent can be something the client is doing to himself. I also utilized the books therapists enumerated in the Book List at the end of Chapter III. In question 5, I was hoping to learn the attitude of therapists toward the therapeutic field they had chosen, as well as, their general view of man.. As a potential client, a therapist's view of man would further assist me in making a decision. Question 6 was included to help me further understand the philosophy of thoses therapists who responded. It helped me have a clearer picture of who these "nebulous" people are and gave me a flavor o.f' them as individuals. This questionaire and the results from it were in... eluded to enable the reader to learn a little more about what philosophies, attitudes, as well as more tangible information, such as the cost of therapy, length of the therapeutic relationship, etc., have on a more practical level. The Directory of Psychotherapists in the San Fernando Valley which follows this section will include more speci­ fically the vital statistics of.those therapists whore­ sponded to the questionaire, including their own words on their own individual philosophies .. 77 ' '

•statistical Breakdown

Fifty questionaires were sent out. Of those 50, 16 were returned. One was blank. Of the remaining 15, 5 therapists would not sign the release allowing publication of their information, but data from these sources are in- eluded in this unpublsihed document; 2 wanted the results of this endeavor. Twelve of the 15 therapists surveyed revealed their ages: the youngest (there were 2) are 30 and the oldest

was.66; the average age of those surveyed was 44~. Nine therapists were male, 6were female. The lowest fee quoted was $15.00; the highest fee quoted was .$60.00. Most - therapists mentioned a nsliding scale", meaning that they were willing to discuss fees with people who might have difficulty paying full fee. Even these, however, had upper and lower limits (e.g. $35 to $50). The average low end of the scales was $28.00; the average high end of the scales was $43.00. Length of sessions varied from 45 to 50 minutes. Seven of the 15 had Ph.D. degrees; the other 7 had

M.A. degrees and one did not list that information~ In the area of licensing, 9 therapists had Marriage, Family and

Child Counseling licenses, 4 wer~ Clinical Psychologists, one was a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. One Clinical Psychologist also had his Marriage, Family and Child 78

Counseling license. One therapist did not include that in:formation. It is interesting to note that generally, the more education a therapist has, the more licenses he has, the more he is likely to charge his clientele. The second page of the questionaire has been broken down into a Table entitled: 11 Number of San Fernando Therapists Who State Usage of Particular Counseling Approaches and Specialties". Please note that each thera­ pist checked off several items, e.g., one therapist stated specialties in: Actualizaing Therapy, Ad.olescence, Art Therapy, Bioenergetics, Children, Eclectic, Existential, Gestalt Therapy, Logotherapy, Group Psychotherapy, and Psychosynthesis. Of this group, j.t is interesting to look at the highs, lows and frequencies of these spee.ialties. Not one thera­ pist surveyed uses primal therapy; only one therapist uses dance therapy; only one therapist uses existential therapy; only one therapist uses :feeling therapy; and only one therapist specializes in Reichian Therapy. Eleven therapists deal with drug abuse and· Group Psychotherapy and ten use Assertion Training arui est techniques in their practices. Of the most common problems brought to therapists, 11 o~ the 15 surveyed answered that depression was a major 79

factor in bringing clients to them; nine stated separation and divorce as factors; seven stated anxiety; four stated unsatisfactory relationships and three stated self-image problems. Each therapist listed more than one factor. Others mentioned were: alienation, flight from self and others, meaninglessness in life (or existential dilemnas), loneliness, family crisis (death or terminal illness of a family member, e.g.), nightmares, grief, phobias, alcohol­ ism, old age, sexual dysfunction, weight and problems with adolescents and children. Question 2 on the second page of the questionaire asked for the "averagen length of a therapeutic relation­ ship. Five therapists answer 3 to 6 months; 5. anstfered 12 to 24 months; 4 stated 6 to 12 months; only 1 stated less than 3 months, and none replied that the "average" length of a therapeutic relationship is over 24 months. Fourteen of the fifteen therapists who replied said !'they do recommend reading to their clients to help them through a particular phase of their lives, or to acquaint them with the kind of therapy the therapist is using. The bibliographies each listed was incorporated into the Reading List which appears at the end of Chapter III. Question 5 reads: "In your opinion, can everybody be helped by therapy?" Eight therapists answered "Yes" (mostly with a qualification, "If they want to be helped" and "If the therapy is congruent with the person"); 80

.seven therapists stated, "No", with the qualification of ex­ treme cases, such as brain damage.

The section which follows the Table is a Directory of those therapists who replied and will include the answer to Question 6, so that the reader can get a more cohesive feeling for the particular therapists listed. 81

Table

Number of San Fernando Therapists Who. State Usage of Particular Counseling Approaches and Specialties

Approach/Specialty Number of Therapists

Actualizing Therapy (Shostrom) 6 Adolescence 9 Alcoholism 2 Archetypal (Jung) 3 Art Therapy 2 Assertion Training 10 Behavior !'1odification 8 Behavior Therapy 5 Bioenergetics (Lowen) 3 Biofeedback 2 Children 9 Client-Centered Therapy 8 Crisis Intervention 8 Dance Therapy 1 Dream Therapy 5 Drug Abuse 11 Ego Psychology 3 Eclectic 2 Encounter Groups 9 82

Approach/Specialty . Number of Therapists est 10 Existential 1 Family Therapy 2 Feeling Therapy 1 Geriatrics and problems-of aging 2 Gestalt Therapy 9 Goal-Oriented Individual 7 Grief Therapy 6 Group Psychotherapy 11 Groups_ 7 Qroups (Couples) 3 Hyperactivity 3 Hypnosis 5 Logotherapy 5

~esUy 4 Play Therapy 3 Primal Therapy 0 Psychoanalysis 2 Psychodrama 3 Psychometry (Testing) 3 Psychosynthesis 8 Rational Therapy 3 Rational-Emotive Therapy 3 Reality Therapy 9 8J

Approach/Specialty Number of Therapists

Reichian Therapy 1 Sex Therapy 6 Transactional Analysis 7 Transcendental Meditation 2 84

Directory of Therapists in the San Fernando Valley 8.5

Name: Baron, Son-~ie Age: 41 .Address: 15300 Ventura Boulevard Sherman Oaks, 91403 Telephone: 886-6866 Hours to be reached: anytime--through answering service Fee schedule: $20 to $40 Degree: M.A. License: M.F.C. Specialties: Adolescence; Assertion Training; Behavior Modification; Children; Client-Centered Therapy; Crisis Intervention; Dream Therapy; Ego Psychology; Eclectic; Existential; Family Therapy; Goal-Oriented Inddividual; Grief;. Group Psychotherapy; Groups; Logo­ therapy; Play Therapy; Psychoanalysis; ·psychosynthesis; Rational-Emotive Therapy; Transactional Analysis; Parenting. Average Length of therapeutic relationship: 12 to 24 months · Personal basic therapeutic philosophy: I believe that certain people need a second chance to ''grow themselves up". They' need a new relationship in which to do that--to test out new ideas about themselves and to risk new behaviors. In doing this in the therapeutic process they will "live through again 11 most of their earlier patterns of relating {transference) and will be able to view their self-destructive patterns in the mirror of this process. By seeing this they will then have new choices and alternative behaviors.. I see therapy as a pro­ cess that can begin and stop at any time--a journey which has any destination the client so wishes--and the trip can be a success regardless 86

of the stopping point. The process is similar to making a pot of soup--one starts with any number of unrelated ingredients. As it cooks and simmers 11 gunk" rises to the surface which can then be skimmed off. It is the process of cooking and skimming that eventually leads to a rich, clear broth. 87

. Name: Bernard, Arthur . Age: None given Address: The Dream Center, 14040 Ventura Blvd. Sherman Oaks Telephone; 990-5490 Hours to be reached: 9 to 5:30 Fee schedule: $30 to $35 Degree: M.A. License: M.F.c. Special ties: Adolescence; Archetyp.al Therapy; Assertion Training; Behavior Modification; Bioenerget­ ics; Client-Centered 'Therapy; Crisis Inter- vention; Dream Therapy; Eclectic; Family Therapy; Gestalt The:m.py; Goal-o'riented Individual Therapy; Group Psychotherapy; Hypnosis; Interpersonal Therapy; Logotherapy; Psychosynthesis; Sex 'Therapy; Transcendental Meditation. Average length of therapeutic rela:tionship: . 3 to 6 months Personal basic therapeutic philosophy: People are responsible f'o.r ·their own li.ves and if they do not like where they are in life, they can change. In most case:s, there is no necessity for dwelling on past history, childhood, etc. Change can occur £2!!.• Basically the process boils down to helping people get what they want for themselves, feeling that sense of inner freedom and realizing their lives are in their own hands and their decisions determine life's course. Look to yourself, look within and you will find all you need to know. ' 88

:-·--- ·-- --.------

,Name: Berwick, Mary Age: 54 Address: 16656 Ventura Boulevard Encino Telephone: 986-8071 and 625-5513 Hours to be reached: 8:30 to 4:30 Fee schedule: $25 to $35 per hour Degree: M.A. License: M.F.c. Specialties: Actualizing Therapy; Adolescence; Assertion Training; Behavior Modification; Children; Client-Centered Therapy; Crisis Intervention; Dance Therapy; Drug Abuse; Eclectic; Existen­ tial; Family Therapy; Gestalt Therapy; Goal- . Oriented Individual Therapy; Grief; Group Psychotherapy; Groups; Groups (Couples ) ; Hyperactivity; Play Therapy; Psychodrama; Psychometry (Testing); Rational Therapy; Reality Therapy; Sex Therapy; Transactional Analysis; Holistic Therapy. Average length of therapeutic relationship: 3 to 6 months Personal basic therapeutic philosophy: Getting people in touch with their own feelings and learning how to express same in a manner con­ structive to client and her family and/or peers or associates. A day by day or even hour by hour situation of needs to be instituted to over­ come a serious situation. Visual imagery has been a most effective .tool, particularly in treat­ ing people with serious physical problems. A tan­ gential tool has been dance and movement therapy to restore feelings of self-worth and restorative physical well-being. 89

Name: Bravin, Martin Age: .51 Address: 16250 Ventura Blvd. (P. o. Box 1782) Encino Telephone: 986-2345 Hours to be reached: 24-hour answering service Fee schedule: $50 per hour: sliding scale Degree: Ph.D. Clinical Psychology License: M.F.c. Specialties: Actualizing Therapy; Behavior Modification; Biofeedback; Children; Client-Centered Ther- apy; Dream Therapy; Eclectic; Encounter Groups; est; Existential Therapy; Family Therapy; Gestalt Therapy; Goal-Oriented In- dividual Therapy; Group Psychotherapy; Groups; Groups (Couples}; Hypnosis; Interpersonal Therapy; Logotherapy; Obesity; Psychoanalysis; Psychodra._,ma; Psychometry; Psychosynthesis; Reality Therapy; Transactional Analysis; Transcendental Meditation; Silva Mind Control; Regression Hypnosis. Average length of therapeutic relationship: 6 to 12 months Personal basic therapeutic philosophy: When we learn to take responsibility for our­ selves--to exercise our own power and·choice and to focus our awareness on ourown process in living, we can begin to make our life "work". More emphasis on the "here and now" and what and how we are doing what we do (rather than a focus on the past influences and whv we are doing what wedo) is more promising and pro­ ductive of change. Learning to listen to 90 . ~ '

ourselves and observe the contradictions between what we say and do and getting feedback from others are significant objectives of effective therapy. 91

Name: Dellar, Judy Age: 40 Address: 15300 Ventura Boulevard Sherman Oaks Telephone: 990-801? Hours to be reached: 24-hour message service 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. personal availability Fee Schedule: $15 to $35: sliding scale Degree: M.A. License: M.F.c. Specialities: Adolescence; Archetypal Therapy; Assertion Training; Bioenergetics; Children; Client­ Centered Therapy; Crisis Intervention; Dream Therapy; Ecl.ectic; Existential Therapy; Family Therapy; Gestalt Therapy; Grief; Psychosynthesis; Reality Therapy; Reichian Therapy; Transactional Analysis; Problems . . of chronically and terminally ill; Guided Meditation; Autogenesis; Stress Reduction. Average length of'. therapeutic relationship: 6 to 12 months Personal basic therapeutic philosophy: I believe in each person's responsibility for his or her own process. That is, in self-regu­ lated growth. I believe .that people change when they have •had enough 11 of what isn 1 t working in · their lives; that we are all on a journeyto ex­ plore and connect with the deepest aspects of our beings and that sometimes therapists, are useful in this process. 92

Name: Glasner, Samuel Age: 66 Address: 16230 Ventura Boulevard Encino Telephone: 788-5123 Hours to be reached: 24 hours a day--7 days a week Fee schedule: $50 for 45-minute session; $30 for half- session (25 minutes}; proportionate for more or less time Degree: Ed. D. License: M.F.C. Specialities: Alcoholism; Assertion Training; Behavior Modification; Behavior Therapy; Client­ Centered Therapy; EClectic; Family Therapy; Geriatrics and problems of aging; Goal­ Oriented Individual Therapy; Grief; Hypno­ sis; Logotherapy; Obesity; Psychosynthesis; Bational Therapy; Rational-Emotive Therapy; Reality Therapy; Sex Therapy; Transactional Analysis. Average length of therapeutic relationship: less than 3 months Personal basic therapeutic philosophy: none given 93

Name: Gorton, David Age: 42 Address: Gestalt Therapy Center .5455 White Oak Avenue Encino Telephone: 347-2660 Hours to be reached: no answer given Fee Schedule: $35 to $50 Degree: M.A. License: M.. F.C. Specialties: Adolescence; Children; Gestalt Therapy; Group Psychotherapy; Groups. Average length of therapeutic·relationship: 6 to 12 months ·Basic personal therapeutic philosophy: My basic personal philosophy is that people are just fine the way they are. I am not there to change people (with the exception that I will help them become more aware of how they actually are).. If they want to change, that is up to them. I also see therapy as a cooperation effort-•it is you and me doing this together. Once you become more aware of' what you do, how you do it and how you feel emotionally when you are doing it, then·you have choice in the real sense of the word and to me choice equals freedom •. 94

Name: Grey, Howard A. Age: 45 Address: 5363 Balboa Boulevard Suite 230 Encino Telephone: 981-2911 Hour·s to be reached : daily Fee schedule: $50 or·reduced depending upon circumstances Degree: Ph. D. License: M.F.C. Pathology/Audiology Specilaties: Actualizing Therapy; Adolescence; Assertion Training; Behavior .Modification; Behavior Therapy; Biofeedback; Children; Encounter Groups; est; Family Therapy; Feeling Therapy; Gestalt Therapy; Group Psychotherapy; Hyper­ activity; Reality Therapy. Average length of therapeutic relationship: 3 to 6 months Personal basic therapeutic philosophy: To provide, through the situation, an environ­ ment which encourages communication about one­ self to oneself, which gives honest empathic feedback and which brings about desired ch,ange through risk-taking and the accumulation of 1 successful 11 experience. 95

Name : Herst, Charney Age: 50 Address: 16250 Ventura Boulevard Encino Telephone: 986-2345

Hours to be reached: all--answerL~ service Fee schedule: $25 to·$30 Degree: M.A. License: M.F.c. Specialties: Actualizing Therapy; Assertion Training; Client--Centered Therapy; Crisis Intervention; Ego Psychology; Eclectic; Existential Therapy; Family Therapy; Gestalt Therapy; Goal-Orient­ ed Therapy; Grief; Group Psychotherapy; Groups; Psychosynthesis; Rational Therapy; Reality Therapy; Transactional Analysis; Imatery. Average length of therapeutic- relationship: 6 to 12 months · Personal basic therapeutic philosophy: Humanisitic framework accepting their situation and working with a modality of metaphors and symbolism sometimes through guided imagery, other times through reality testing, other through talk therapy. I look for the eha.racter defect, work an analysis and sometimes use didactic for their edification. I believe therapy is un-learning and relearning. 96

Name: Martin, Ronald o. Age: 48 Address: 15010 Ventura Boulevard Sherman Oaks Telephone: 990-8721 Hours to be reached: any time Fee schedule: $25 to-$45 Degrees: M.A. and M.s.w. License: L.c.s.w. Specialties: Actualizing Therapy; Assertion Training; Behavior Modification; Behavior Therapy; Crisis Intervention; Ego Psychology; Eclectic; Existential. Therapy; Family Therapy; Goal-Oriented Individual Therapy; Grief; Group Psychotherapy; Groups;Groups (Couples); Interpersona1 Tl1erapy; Psycho­ synthesis; Rational-Emotive Therapy; Reality Therapy; Sex Therapy; Transactional Analysis; Transcendental Meditation. Average length of therapeutic relationship: 12 to 24 months Personal basic therapeutic philosophy:

A human being, with a hum~ problem in need of a human solution. 97 p '

Name: P~mirez, Larry J. Age: 30 Address: 15250 ventura Blvd. Suite 805 Sherman Oaks Telephone: 990-6686 Hours to be reached: answering service available any time Fee Schedule: $35 to $50 Degree:. Ph.D.

· License: f'l. F.• C. Special ties: Actualizing Therapy·!l-; Adolescence; Art Therapy; Bioenergetics; Children; Eclectic; Encounter Groups; Existential Therapy*; Feeling Therapy; Gestalt Therapy; Group Psychotherapy; Groups; Interpersonal Therapy; Logotherapy*; Psychodrama; Psychometry; Psychosynthesis. Average length of therapeutic relationship: 12 to 24 months Personal basic therapeutic philosophy: I believe in a holisitic approach based on three· sides of an individual's make-up: the physical, the intellectual, and the spiritual. When an individual isnot congruent with himself, he manifests .·symptomatic cri,es through one of these sides. Some of my baste belie:fs are: that man is both subject and object; man has the freedom of self .... determination toward. a multiplicity of possibil-· ities (attitude}; that man lives in three worlds simultaneously--the biological world, without self•awareness--the world of interpersonal re­ lationships {or encounter.s with others) and the world of self-identity (or being in itself). Death gives life reality. · Man has the capacity to· transcend the immediate situation or to rise above his past. 98

·The aim of therapy is that the patient experience his existence as real, the purpose of which is that he become aware of his existence fully, thus becoming aware of his potentialities. Freedom means freedom in the face of three things: the instincts, i~~erited disposition and the en­ vironment. Man realize~:? value by his attitude towards his destined or inescapable suffering. Suffering only has meaning when it is unavoidable. 99

Name: Rocklin, Neil Age: 30 Address: 5363 Balboa Boulevard Encino Telephone: 788-)123 Hours to be reached: 24 hours Fee schedule: $50 for 45-minute session Degree: Ph.D. License: No answer given Specialties: Adolescence; Alcoholism; Assertion Training; Behavior Modification; Behavior Therapy; Children; Client-Centered Therapy; Crisis Intervention; Drug Abuse; Ego Psychology; Eclectic; Family Therapy; Group Psychothera­ py; Hyperactivity; Hypnosis; Implosive Thera­ py; Obesity; Play Therapy;. Sex Therapy.· Average length of therapeutic relationship: 3 to 6 months Personal basic therapeutic philosophy: My therapeutic philosophy is to guide people to become more satisfied with their lives artd to encourage them towards more fulfilling ex- periences. · 100

Name: Sternlicht, Irwin Age: none given Address: .53.53 Balboa Boulevard Encino Telephone: 788-4369 and (714) 346-2660 Thurs. and Fri. Hours to be reached: 8 to .5 Monday through Wednesday Fee schedule: sliding scale--$30 to $.50 Degree: Ph. D. License: none given Specialties: Archetypal Therapy; Art Therapy; Dream Therapy; Existential Therapy. Average length·or therapeutic relationship: 12 to 24 months Personal basic therapeutic philosophy: none given: 101

Name: Thompson, Linda A. Age: 38 Address: 16055 Ventura Boulevard Encino Telephone: 981-1800 Hours to be reached: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday Fee schedule: $40 to.$60 Degree: Ph. D. License: Clinical Psychologist Specialties: Assertion Training; Behavior Therapy; Crisis Intervention; Ego Psychology; Eclectic; Existential Therapy; Group Psychotherapy; Reality Therapy. Average length of therapeutic relationship: 12 to 24 months Personal basic therapeutic philosophy: none given CHAPTER VI GLOSSARY OF IMPORTANT TERMS IN COUNSELING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY

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ADLEBIAN PSYCHOLOGY: see INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOLOGY ALIENATION: feeling of apartness; strangeness; the ab­ sence of warm or friendly relationships with people; (RXISTENTIALISM} a separation of the individual from the real self because of pre­ occupation with abstractions and the necessity for conformity to the wishes of others and the dictates of social institutions. The aliena­ tion of contemporary :man from others and from himself is one of the dominant themes of the existentialists. ANALYST: a practitioner of psychoanalysis;. a follOl'ler of Freud's or one of the deviant schools of psycho­ analysis. ANALYTICAL PSYCHOLOGY: Jung1 s system of psychoanalysis, originally modeled after Freud's psychoanalysis. AN".AIETY: a concept with many meanings from the existential awareness of "being-in-the-world" to the concept that anxiety is the result of serJal energy trans­ formed through frustration; re:rers to a diffuse sense of approaching danger, when the content of that danger is unknown; feeling of mingled dread and apprehension about the future without specific cause for the fear. AWARENESS: consciousness; alertness; cognizance of some­ thing; a state of knowledge or understanding of environmental or internal events.

BEHAVIORAL-DIRECTIVE THERAPY: a group of therapies that work with the assumption that a neurotic problem can be objectiv-ely separated from the rest of the self-­ i.e., can be treated as ex­ ternal, and with direct in­ structions,.

BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION: changing human behavior by the application of conditioning or other learning tee}:l.niques. The term is .often used as a synonym for behavior therapy. 104 (

BEHAVIOR THERAPY: the systematic application of learning principles and techniques to the treat­ ment pf behavior disorders. Some tech­ niques used are: anxiety-relief re­ sponses, assertive behavior facilita­ tion, behavioral rehearsal, conditioned suppression, covert extinction, covert reinforcement, emotive imagery, implo­ sive therapy, replication therapy, self­ desensitization, shame aversive therapy, thought stopping, and time out from re- inforcement. · BIOFEEDBACK: the control of intet--nal processes,· such as heart rate, brain waves, or the galvanic skin response, through conditioning. BIOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY: a type of therapy deriving from the work of Wilhelm Reich. It re­ gards neurosis as an interruption of the natural functioning of the body and uses movement, massage, emotive expression, etc., as agents of change. CHARACTER ARMOR: the term first employed by Wilhelm Reich for the system of "ego defenses" used by patients to resist the psycho­ analytic probing of the sources of their neuroses. CLIENT-CENTERED THERAPY: a system of psychotherapy based on the assumption that the client is in the best position to re­ solve his own problems provided that the therapist can establish a warm, permissive atmosphere in which the client feels free to discuss his problems and to ob­ tain insight into them. The term applied to the system of psycho­ therapy developed by Carl Rogers. COLLECTIVE UNCONSCIOUS: (Jung) the part of the uncon­ scious which is inherited and which is common·to all men. It is the seat of the archetypes. COMPULSION: a psychological state in which an individual acts against his own will or conscious in­ clinations. 10.5

COMPULSIVENESS: the trait of repetitiveness in behavior often in a way that is inappropriate or contrary to the individual's inclinations. CONSCIOUS: in psychoanalysis, a division of the psyche which includes those parts of mental life which the person is at any moment aware, distinguish­ ed from the preconscious and unconscious. COUNSELING: a broad name for a wide variety of procedures for helping individuals achieve adjustment, such as the giving of advice, therapeutic dis­ cussions, the administration and in~erpreta­ tion of tests, and vocational assi.stance. DEPRESSION: in the normal individual, a state of despon­ dency characterized by feelings of inadequacy, lowered activity,.and pessimism about the fu­ ture; a state that is to be distinguished from sadness, grief and mourning in that the person does not simply miss something but also feels badly about himself--burdened, self­ critical, weary, all the way to suicidal. EMPATHY: the acceptance and understanding of the feelings of another person, but with sufficient detach­ ment_to avoid becoming directly involved in those feelings. ENCOUNTER: a loosely structured and brief form of group therapy in which emotional change is brought about by the expression of strong feeling be­ tween members of the group. est: an acronym for Erhard Seminars Training--a brief but intense large-group experience the object of which is to get in touch with one's responsibility for one's being. Means to this end include physical privation, guided meditation,_and confrontations and indoctrina­ tion by the group trainer. EXISTENTIAL PSYCHOTHERAPY: a group of approaches united by their cultivation of subject­ ivity and immediacy and an avoid­ ance of intellectual explana­ tions. The aim is to restore to the patient a sense of free­ dom.and responsibility for his own choices. FACILITATOR: a professional therapist or layman who serves as a leader for a group experience. 106

FAMILY THERAPY: a type of group therapy undertaken with families. It usually works with communi­ cations between family members. GESTALT THERAPY: a therapy developed by Frederick Perls, in which a person seeks heightened awareness through dramatization of split-off parts of the self. GROUP THERAPY: any form of collective therapeutic treat­ ment. HYPNOSIS: a state characterized by greatly heightened suggestibility, usually attained by bodily re­ laxation accompanied by concentration on a narrow range of stimuli presented by the hypno­ tist. HYPNOTHERAPY: the original psychotherapeutic technique in which suggestion and an altered state of con­ sciousness are combined to produce behavioral change. · IMPULSIVENESS: a more or less chronic tendency to act on impulse or wi.thout reflecting upon the con­ . sequences of action. INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOLOGY: the term applied to the system of psychotherapy developed by Alfred Adler. - INSIGHT: the process by which the meaning, significance, pattern, or use of an experience becomes clear-­ or the understanding which results from this pro­ cess. LOGOTHERAPY: a form of existential psychotherapy based on the analysis of the meaning of one•s exist­ ence (Viktor Frankl). NEUROSIS: any pattern in which unwanted and compulsive thoughts, feelings and/o.r actions occur without producing a major, sustained disorganization of personality or the loss of a sense of reality. PARANOIA: a psychotic disorder characterized by highly systemized delusions of persecution or grandeur with little deterioration. In either case, they are persistent, defended strongly by the patient, and incapacitating. 107

PAB.AliOID PERSONALITY: a personality characterized by envi­ ousness, suspiciousness, hostility and oversensitivity, but without de­ terioration or delusions. PARANOID SCHIZOPHRENIA: a form of schizophrenia in which the chief symptom is delusions of persecution or of grandeur. There are also disturbances of thinking, · hallucinations, and deterioration. PHOBIA: a form of neurosis in which subjective dangers are projected onto some event or object, wh-ich then has to be avoided in order to control anxiety.

PRn~.AL THEP..APY: a therapy developed by Arthur Janov in which the expression of deep infantile pain is promoted as a cure for neurosis. PSYCHIATRIC SOCIAL WORKER: an individual with special training in the fields of soci­ ology and psychology, \'Tho, in close collaboration with psy­ chiatrists, works with mental patients and their families. PSYCHOANALYSIS: a theory of the· mind and a mode of therapy developed by Sigmund Freud on the basis of his method of free association. PSYCHODRAMA: the improvised enactment by a client of cer­ tain roles and incidents, prescribed by the therapist or spontaneously originating in the client. PSYCHOMETRY: mental measurements or mental testing. PSYCHOSIS:·· a severe mental disorder characterized by dis- . organization of the thought processes, disturb­ ances in emotionality, disorientation as to time, space, and person, and, in some cases, hallucinations and delusions. · PSYCHOSOMATIC SYMPTOM: sign of a 'bodily malfunctioning .which is believed to have originat­ ed from, or to have·been aggravated by, a psychological malfunctioning. Hives, for example, are thought to derive, at times, from a feeling of resentment. · 108

· PSYCHOTHERAPY: the use of any psychological technique in the treatment of mental disorder or social and emotional maladjustment. RAPPORT: a reciprocally comfortable and unconstrained re­ lationship between two or more persons, especial­ ly between therapist ann client. RATIONAL-EMOTIVE THERAPY: a therapy developed by Albert Ellis which stresses a problem­ solving positive approach to emotiona1 problems and relies heavily on the imposi~ion of values. REALITY THERAPY: a therapy developed by William Glasser which relies on developing responsible, moral behavior as a means of overcoming neurosis. SELF-CONCEPT: a person's view of himself. SEX THERAPY: a variant of behavioral-directive therapy and, usually, family therapy, in which adult sexual disturbances are dealt with in an ob­ jective, matter.:.of-fa.ct way, and managed by educational methods. TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSIS: a group therapy developed by Eric Berne and others in which trans­ actions between people are used to define and analyze so-called ego states within the individual--the Child, Parent, and Adult--with the goal of moving toward Adulthood. TRAUMA: the result of an overwhelming situation in which a person is flooded with more stimuli than can be mastered; in childhood, the nuclear setting for the development of neurosis. UNCONSCIOUS: used in referring to a system of mental pro­ cesses occurring outside awareness. various­ ly defined in many psychological theories. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: uncompleted tasks which have not been terminatedwith a desired degree of finality from the subject's point of view, and which become objects of con­ tinuing unpleasant concern or tensions. · Chapter VII

CONCLUSION

The man on the street who is contemplating going into therapy has a difficult choice to make. Except for asking relatives, friends or perhaps a clergyman, he has no way of knowing where to turn. Asking others for assistance in this area is certainly not to be frowned upon. However, it does limit a person's field of choice, and, in fact, it makes the individual's choice for him, never allowing him to know what other decision he could have made. ibis problem is not the layman 1 s fault. There are

· few if any definitive ways or means of selecting a thera­ pist. Most lay people do not know that there are different kinds of therapies or therapists, much less which might best flt their lives, as far as life-philosophy, time and money commitments are concerned. This project attempts to remedy this problem for the· lay person. It tries to present to the lay person an acknowledgement of this problem. f.Jierely this acknowledge­ ment, along with some helpful signposts as to when therapy is in fact indicated, will help the potential client real­ ize that he is not alone in his hesitations, fears and

109. 110

anxieties. If this project only allays these doubts, with­ out imparting the remaining information, it will have accomplished a great deal. So, what is this nebulous "therapy"? Is it just for "crazy" or "sick" people? What will happen to me when I

walk into someone 1 s office? Do I really want to change? Is the therapist going to hurt me? How long will therapy take? What does the therapist know that I don•t know? These and many more questions are sure to come up when someone is considering entering therapy. So many things people do not know. So many unanswered questions. This project has answered some of these questions. It has defined therapy in general, as well as many of the specific therapies now available, ranging from Freudian analytic therapy, along with Freud1 s two major disciples, Adler and Jung, to the Post-Analytic Human Potential r1ove;.. ment, encompassing existential, biofunctional and the · modern therapies of Ellis, Glasser and J·anov, to the be­ havior therapies and eclecticism.. It has defined "neuro­ sis" and disspelled the need to lable people as "sick" or "crazy".. It has explained wherever possible what to expect from a particular kind of therapeutic procedure. An attempt has been made to educate the ignorant (not stupid) lay per­ son to the point that he knows something and does not feel as if he is working with an omnisicient god (the therapist}. 111 i."

A Reading List was compiled to enable the reader to acquaint himself in !Wre depth with any therapies and theoretical orientations that might have interested him. There is an extensive question section chosen from a book by Joel Kovel (A Complete Guide to Therapy from Psychoanalysis to Behavior Modification. New York: 1976) which answers many questions the potential client would have upon entering therapy, as well as while in therapy. A questionaire distributed among practicing psycho­ therapists in the Scm. Fernando Valley helped answer some important questions on a practical level. A Directory of these therapists in the San Fernando Valley, stating vital information, including fee schedules and areas· of special- ty is also included.

A Glossary of'. ~ortant terms in Counseling and Psycho­ therapy further assists the lay person in familiarizing him­ self with psychologic&~ terminology.

Obviously, even with all the information presented, the choice is still that of' the individual. Perhaps \'lith this information~ p~J.e can make a more 11 intelligent 11 selection; perhaps it will help the individual trust him-. self a little more m making this important decision. Bibliography

Binder, v., Binder, A. and Rimland, B. (Eds. ). Modern Therapies. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1976.

Burton, A. (Ed.). Operational Theories of Personality. New York: Brunn:er/r1azel, Publishers, 1974.

Chaplin, J .. P •. Dictionary of Psychology. New York: Dell, 1976. Clark, T. Going Into Therapy. New York: Harper and Bow, 197.5· · Corsini, Raymond. (Ed.). Current Psychotherapies. Illinois: Peacock Publishers, Inc., 1977. Fagan, J. and Shepherd, I. Life Technigues in Gestalt Therapy. New York: Harper and Row, 1973· Frankl, Viktor. Man 1 s Search For f>Yeaning. New York : Pocket Books, 1963. . Harper, R. Psychoanalysis and PsychotheraPY: 36 Systems. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 19.59.

Kovel, J. A.qomple~~ <:uid~ To Therapy From Ps~choanalysis To Behav1or f'TOdJ.fJ.catJ.on •. .New York: 197 •. Latner, J. The Gestalt Therapy Book. New York: Bantam Books, 1976. ·. . . . Lowen, A. Bioenergetics. Pennsylvania: Penguin Books, 197.5· Morse, s. and Watson, R. Psychotherapies--A Comparative Casebook. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1977· Nordby, v. and Hal1,.C. A Guide To Psychologists And Their Concepts. New York: Charles Scribner, 1974.

Per1s, F. Gestalt Therapy VerbatiiQ.. Utah: Bantam Books, 1973·

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Perls, F. The Gestalt Approach An~_Ele Witness To Therapy. Palo Alto: Bantam Books, 1976. Roback, A. (Ed.). Present-Day Psychology. New York: Greenwood Press, 1968. Rogers, c. On Becoming A Person. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1961. Satir, Virginia. Conjoint Family 'ftlerapy. Palo Alto: Science and Behavior Books, 1967. Shostrom, E. Man, The Manipulator. New York: Bantam Books, 1968. . Steiner, c. Scripts People Live. New York: Bantam Books, 1975. APPENDIX

. Questionaire

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My name is Eleanor Marder. I am a student in the Masters program in Educational Psychology at California State University, Northridge. This questionaire is being circulated to therapists as part of my Masters project. The purpose of this project is to develop a guide for the layman interested in entering into a therapeutic relationship. I hope to be able to publish the.results of this survey in a local directory of therapists to be made available to the public. Your cooperation in filling this questionaire out promptly and returning it to me is greatly appreciated.

I want to emphasize th.at this process of "labeling" or •categorization" is tq help inform the public of what is available to them, and not· a commitment by therapists to confine themselves in a particular mold.

I approve the release of this information in a bro­ chure or booklet that may be issued to the public.

(Signature) 116

Name: Age: Address: Telephone: Hours you can be reached: Fee Schedule: Degrees: License(s):

Below you will find a list of theories, therapies and specialties. Please check as many as pertain to you. _Actualizing Therapy (Shostrom) Gestalt Therapy Adolescence ----Goal-Oriented -Alcoholism Individual -Archetypal (Jung) ---Grief Art Therapy __Group Psychotherapy ----Assertion Training Groups ----Behavior Modification ---:Groups (Couples ) ----Behavior Therapy -~Hyperactivity -Bioenergetics (Lowen) -----iHypnos is Biofeedback _ __:Logotherapy -Children _ _,Obesity __Client-Centered ·Therapy Play Therapy Crisis Intervention --~Primal Therapy ----Da-nce Therapy -~Psychoanalysis ----Dream Therapy -~Psychodrama -Drug Abuse ----:Psychometry· ----:Ego Psychology ___Psychosynthesis Eclectic Rational Therapy Encounter Groups --~Rational-Emotive est ---::Reality TheraPY -----Existential ____Reichian Therapy Family Therapy Sex Therapy ___,;,_Feeling Therapy --:Transactional Analy­ Geriatrics and problems of sis -aging ____Tr:anscendental Medi­ ____other* tation *Please state specifically. 117

1. What are the most common problems brought to you? (e.g., depression, anxiety, loneliness, fear, self­ image, alcoholism, drug addiction, old age, suicide, divorce, separation, crisis, etc.)_

2. What is the "average" length of a therapeutic re- lationship? Less than 3 months ----3 to 6 months 6 to 12 months ----12 to 24 months over 24 months

3. • Do you or have you recommended reading relevant to a client 1 s difficulty? Please mention titles and authors.

4. Please list a bibliography you personally recommend for the lay public to inform them of your particular field of interest.

5. In your opinion, can everybody be helped by therapy?

6. In about 100 words, what is your personal basic thera­ peutic philosophy?