Clinical Applications of Cognitive Therapy

Principles of cognitive therapy/self-correcting assessment skills/case conceptualization/therapeutic tech./specific dis

Freeman (counseling, education, psychology, and social work; U. of St. Francis, Indiana) is joined by practitioners James Pretzer, Barbara Fleming, and Karen M. Simon to provide a reference for colleagues on applying cognitive therapy in clinical practice. They set out the principles and methods, explain applications in axis I disorders and personality disorders, and applications in such contexts as couples and children and adolescents. Possible complications, especially interpersonal complexities, are also part of their discussion. The first edition was published in 1990. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Gary B Kaniuk, Psy.D.(Cermak Health Services)
Description:This book provides a solid foundation to the clinical practice of cognitive therapy, including an introduction to theoretical principles followed by practical application. The authors address common DSM-IV diagnostic categories (both Axis I and II), which most clinicians will see on a daily basis. This is the second edition; the first was published in 1990.
Purpose:In the foreword of the book, Dr. Aaron Beck provides the purpose. He states the book was "written by practitioners for practitioners, which provided an integrated, step-wise approach to understanding the principles and practice of Cognitive Therapy"(p. v). Later, he continues: "In this second edition, the authors have updated their discussion to reflect fifteen years of additional research and experience. They have expanded their coverage to include important topics such as the treatment of substance abuse, intervention with marital and family problems, Cognitive Therapy with children and adolescents, Cognitive Therapy in groups, and ways to maintain and enhance one's skill in Cognitive Therapy." The book meets the authors' objectives.
Audience:Again, according to Dr. Beck in the foreword, "the result is a volume which is accessible to readers who are new to Cognitive Therapy, but which has the depth to be valuable to seasoned cognitive therapists as well." The book is intended for advanced students of behavior therapy, clinical and counseling psychology, psychiatry, and psychiatric social work, and for clinicians at all levels of practice. The authors are credible authorities in the subject matter of the book and when Dr. Beck writes the foreword, you know the authors have the blessing of the father.
Features:This book is excellent because it contains all the necessary elements, especially for one who is learning how to apply cognitive-behavioral principles. The authors detail the therapeutic process from assessment to mid-stage to final stage. Then the concepts are applied with both Axis I and Axis II disorders. In addition, there are chapters addressing cognitive therapy in groups and with children/adolescents and couples. The final chapter wraps up the book quite nicely by challenging therapists to go on to excellence in their work, to grow in their knowledge of the theory, and to get feedback through supervision. Appendix A gives a very nice initial evaluation guide. The book is full of vignettes and transcripts to show how theory and techniques are applied to actual cases. The only drawback is that I would have liked to see more theoretical discussion, especially in the beginning.
Assessment:This is a wonderful book, especially for those who are new to the cognitive-behavioral tradition. It compares well to other books I have read in this area. It is easy to read, practical, and covers important clinical areas. The book is written by one of the most prominent authors in the field of psychotherapy research, Dr. Arthur Freeman. The other authors are also very experienced in their own rights. The therapeutic process is explained very well. It justifies replacing the first edition because there has been so much research since 1990. It includes other areas such as group therapy and children. Also, these authors add their 15 years of experience since the first edition to create a very practical guide to treatment. I give this book my highest recommendation.

Dr. Arthur Freeman is the Dean of Counseling, Education, Psychology and Social work at the University of St. Francis in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Prior to his move to Indiana, he was Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology and Director of the doctoral program in Clinical Psychology at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He has remained in the position of Professor since his move. He completed his undergraduate and early graduate work at New York University and his doctoral work at Teachers College-Columbia University. He studied at the Alfred Adler Institute in New York under Drs. Kurt and Alexandra Adler, the Institute for Rational Living under Dr. Albert Ellis, and completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Center for Cognitive Therapy at the University of Pennsylvania under Dr. Aaron T. Beck.

In addition to 50+ book chapters, reviews and journal articles, he has published twenty three professional books on the topic of CBT including: Cognitive Therapy of Personality Disorders (with Aaron T. Beck), Clinical Applications of Cognitive Therapy, The Comprehensive Casebook of Cognitive Therapy (with Frank Dattilio). Dr. Arthur Freeman has published two popular books, Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda: Overcoming Mistakes and Missed Opportunities (with Rose DeWolf) and The Ten Dumbest Mistakes Smart People Make, and How to Overcome Them (with Rose DeWolf). His work has been translated into Bulgarian, Chinese, Dutch, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swedish. Dr. Freeman serves on the editorial boards of several U.S. and international journals.

He is board certified in Clinical Psychology, Family Therapy and Behavioral Psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology. Art Freeman is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association (divisions of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Family Psychology), of the American Psychological Society, of the Academy of Clinical Psychology, and of the Pennsylvania Psychological Association. Dr. Freeman is a past president of the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy and is the Vice President (2000-2002) of the North American Society of Adlerian Psychology.

In 2000, the Pennsylvania Psychological Association named him recipient of its award for "Outstanding Contribution to the Science and Practice of Psychology." Dr. Arthur Freeman has been a Visiting Professor of Psychiatry and Psychology at the Universities of Umea and Gothenburg (Sweden); at the University of Catania (Italy), at the Shanghai Second Medical University (China). He has lectured in twenty five countries over the past 20 years.

James Pretzer, Ph.D., is the Director of the Cleveland Center for Cognitive Therapy, a consulting editor at Behavior Online, and is Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychology at Case Western Reserve University. He completed his post-doctoral training with Aaron T. Beck, MD. He has authored a number of papers and book chapters on Cognitive Therapy, with his work translated in Swedish, German, and Japanese.

Dr. Barbara Flemming is the director of the Anxiety Treatment Center in Cleveland, Ohio, Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychology at Case Western Reserve University, and President of Behavioral Health Associates, Inc. She received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Michigan State University and completed post-doctoral training with Aaron T. Beck, MD. She has authored a number of papers and book chapters on the treatment of anxiety disorders and other topics, with her work translated in Swedish, Japanese, and German.