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The Problem with Humanistic Therapies (The Problem With Series) by Nick Totton
One in four people are diagnosed at some point in their lives with a recognised form of mental illness, and yet there is no "magic bullet" to cure this vast reservoir of human suffering. Doctors and nurses working in traditional settings in mental health hospitals have been augmented by a wide range of people who possess specialist knowledge in assisting people in distress - psychologists, psychiatrists, psychotherapists. psychoanalysts and counselors, to name but a few. To a large extent all are agreed that societies in many countries have a huge problem. When it comes to solutions, however, few professionals in the field can agree.
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First published March 28, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 11, 2025
An interesting book and I’m glad I’ve read it.
Totton feels like someone who has a good grasp of a language (somewhat different to his own) but seems to not quite grasp issues of dialect across modalities; there were several ‘yes…and’ moments for me. Plus, he’s trying to make wider points by comparing apples and pears. TA and PCT?
I can only speak as a PCT but I’d say that his points about ‘optimism’ feel too obvious and a little unimaginative. It’s more complex than this and I’d say that we’re more curious than optimistic. There’s also the theoretical acknowledgement that people are trying to respond to their environments in the best way that they can with their personal resources. There isn’t much mention of the actualising tendency by Totton which does not carry a moral value to survival and/or growth in PC theory. Largely, we’re trusting in our clients’ experience (with some pragmatism as to working with what clients bring) rather than being boundlessly optimistic.
Using the word ‘Rogerian’ in a book published in 2010 is dated and needs to be challenged. There are many other PC practitioners who are not Rogers etc.!
His points about ‘feeling’ over ‘intellectualisation’ were interesting. In my practice, I see both as being of equal value; from experience, I’m aware of generally going against the grain in this perspective.
I think his point about learning ‘restraint’ from psychodynamic perspectives was interesting.
Overall, I’m glad this book exists and to be able to chew over some questions. Good on him for owning his positioning in all this.
Totton feels like someone who has a good grasp of a language (somewhat different to his own) but seems to not quite grasp issues of dialect across modalities; there were several ‘yes…and’ moments for me. Plus, he’s trying to make wider points by comparing apples and pears. TA and PCT?
I can only speak as a PCT but I’d say that his points about ‘optimism’ feel too obvious and a little unimaginative. It’s more complex than this and I’d say that we’re more curious than optimistic. There’s also the theoretical acknowledgement that people are trying to respond to their environments in the best way that they can with their personal resources. There isn’t much mention of the actualising tendency by Totton which does not carry a moral value to survival and/or growth in PC theory. Largely, we’re trusting in our clients’ experience (with some pragmatism as to working with what clients bring) rather than being boundlessly optimistic.
Using the word ‘Rogerian’ in a book published in 2010 is dated and needs to be challenged. There are many other PC practitioners who are not Rogers etc.!
His points about ‘feeling’ over ‘intellectualisation’ were interesting. In my practice, I see both as being of equal value; from experience, I’m aware of generally going against the grain in this perspective.
I think his point about learning ‘restraint’ from psychodynamic perspectives was interesting.
Overall, I’m glad this book exists and to be able to chew over some questions. Good on him for owning his positioning in all this.
January 19, 2013
The problem with humanistic therapies - a useful counter balance of ideas.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews