How Psychotherapy Really Works

Decodes the mysteries of the therapeutic process

How does therapy work? Can "talking" truly precipitate a change in behavior? Why do therapists rely so heavily on childhood experiences? Does the past really affect the present? Drawing on more than 30 years of experience as a psychotherapist, analyst, and teacher, Dr. Gaylin addresses the fundamentals of the therapeutic process in How Psychotherapy Really Works, an enlightening tour through one of the most misunderstood sciences of our times.

Is psychotherapy really worth the time and money that millions of Americans put into it? Is a therapist any better at helping us deal with our problems than a good friend, family member, spiritual counselor, or bartender? What makes therapy special? How does it work, and why does it sometimes fail?

In How Psychotherapy Really Works, Willard Gaylin, one of the nation's most honored psychiatrists, unlocks the mysteries of the so-called talking cure, which, despite its present-day popularity, is widely misunderstood and highly controversial. In an enlightening tour of the therapeutic process, Gaylin speaks plainly but profoundly about the art of therapy, what the roles of the patient and therapist should be, and what is required from both participants for a successful therapeutic outcome. Along the way he addresses such important issues as who therapy can help and who won't benefit from it, why the therapist's personality is as important as his or her training, why the past really matters, and why therapists put so much stock in childhood experiences.

In the tradition of Listening to Prozac and Love's Executioner, How Psychotherapy Really Works is a wise, eloquent guide for those in therapy or contemplating it, as well as for those who are simply curious about what motivates people and what it takes to develop a sense of well-being and self-worth. It is a fascinating glimpse into the labyrinthine complexity, the mystery, and the majesty of the human mind.

About the Author:
Willard Gaylin, M.D., is the author of fifteen books, including Feelings, The Killing of Bonnie Garland, and The Rage Within. A clinical professor of psychology at Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons with a private practice in psychotherapy and psychoanalysis, he is cofounder of The Hastings Center, a research institute for ethical issues in the life sciences.

Mirabella

"Frank, forthright, and unpretentious, Gaylin comes across as a straight shooter, a dedicated professional, holding the center with good humor and tenacity."

Willard Gaylin, M.D., is the author of fifteen books, including Feelings, The Killing of Bonnie Garland, and The Rage Within. A clinical professor of psychology at Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, he cofounded of The Hastings Center, a research institute for ethical issues in the life sciences.