Kirjahaku

The subject of this book is how to acquire the skill, or set of skills, that may be most important to your enjoyment and sense of accomplishment in adult life: the ability to deal effectively with crisis, change, and stress. Problem-solving skills can be learned by virtually everyone, and by doing so, the individual can change unacceptable behavior patterns. Michael Mahoney outlines a sequence of seven specific steps to help clarify a given problem, its causes, and its solution. Each step is developed in a separate chapter with appropriate examples and case histories. The strategy is almost infinitely flexible, and can be applied to such diverse situations as controlling anxiety, giving up smoking, and relieving sleep disorders.

In this book, originally published by Ballinger in 1976, Michael Mahoney documents the idiosyncracies and foibles of the scientific process as a field of endeavor. A new introduction updates his discussion in light of subsequent developments, including such aspects of academia as politics and tenure, publication and power relations, science studies and constructivist inquiry, and what have come to be called the "science wars."

An invaluable teaching text and clinical resource, this is a book about how to do psychotherapy--how to apply the science of change to the complexities of helping people develop new meanings in their lives. Explaining constructivist principles and illuminating what a skilled clinician actually does in day-to-day practice, Michael J. Mahoney shows how to nurture the therapeutic relationship while implementing such creative interventions as centering techniques, problem solving, pattern work, meditation and embodiment exercises, drama and dream work, and spiritual exploration. Appendices feature reproducible client forms, handouts, and other useful materials.

This is not simply a “do” or “don’t” book, but rather a book directed at helping you to learn about yourself. It is based on principles derived from the careful work of scores of researchers who have studied the behavior and attitudes of overweight individuals. The major thrust of the book is to help you explore your patterns of behavior and thought, to experiment with change, to test consequences, and to incorporate new behaviors and thoughts into your everyday life. “Perhaps the best common sense, effective solution to the problem of weight control that has yet been published … Well written and documented by an impressive list of references.” —Best Sellers