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Introduction to clinical psychology (second edition)
Pr,vchmr. Vol 20. No. , tkhov. Thher. d Ex Pergamoo Press plc. A. mred I” Great Bntam
3. pp.
269-270.
1989
BOOK REVIEWS Introduction to Clinical Psychology (Second Edition)
by MICHAEL
T. NIETZEL Prentice-Hall,
and DOUGLAS
A. BERNSTEIN
Inc., New Jersey, 1987
Nietxel and Bernstein have provided a comprehensive and scholarly look at the broad Geld of clinical psychology in a well written text suitable for advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students. The authors’ acknowledged cognitive-behavioral bias is hardly evident in their even-handed presentation and criticism of behavioral, psychoanalytic and phenomenological orientations within the field. Chapters include solid evaluative reviews and well chosen examples of assessment, clinical interventions, biological factors and professional issues in clinical psychology from a scientist-practitioner perspective. The literature reviewed is appropriate and often represents the best our field has to offer. Suggestions for further reading are frequently made and are quite relevant. Figures and “boxes” are generally well thought out and contribute to rather than distract from the presentation. The single difficulty I had with the book was in trying to imagine how and where it might fit into a traditional psychology curriculum. Its contents overlap significantly with the content of undergraduate texts in abnormal psychology, personality, tests and measures, and history and systems, yet could not be expected to serve as a substitute for them. The chapters on clinical intervention and professional issues go well beyond that found in typical abnormal psychology texts but are less than should be demanded by graduate courses.
Ignoring curriculum concerns, I would highly recommend the book to advanced undergraduate students who are considering a career in clinical psychology and desire to know more about the profession. It provides an accurate overview of the many facets of the field and presents the field as active and progressive even if not always in complete agreement. The book will also be useful to seasoned practitioners who have spent too many hours in their consulting rooms and wish to learn how their field has evolved. Workers in other human service professions might find the book helpful in helping them understand the profession of clinical psychology and their unique approach to human behavior. In addition, the appendix, “Getting into Graduate School in Clinical Psychology” by John P. Fiore is probably worth the cost of the book in terms of practical information and good advice. WESLEY G. MORGAN
Departmentof Psychology University of Tennessee Knoxville,
TN 37996,
U.S.A.
The Psychological Management of Chronic Pain: A Treatment Manual
by H. CLARE PHILIPS Springer Publishing Company, New York, 1988,266 pp. This text is intended as a treatment manual for the behaviorally trained clinical psychologist interested in working with chronic pain patients. The author notes that the text should serve as a “complete” guide, to the pain management program he developed while working in a general hospital setting. The text is divided into three parts, with the first consisting of the conceptualization and rationale of treatment, an overview of the specific treatment program, and delineation of patient assessment methods and selection criteria. The second part describes in detail nine basic treatment sessions, including relaxation training, physical exercise programs, drug management and detoxification,
the role of emotional states, cognitive factors, and activity management. This part concludes with a summaryintegration of management techniques and final assessment protocols. The third part of the text deals with treatment outcome evaluation, suggestions for proper interaction with referral resources, and a brief overview of possible research ideas. There are also appendices giving specific information on exercise, drug, relaxation, and assessment protocols. The text is well written and organized in an easy-tofollow fashion. While certainly not unique or new, the basic clinical and assessment information described is quite representative of the current psychological-behavioral 269
3. pp.
269-270.
1989
BOOK REVIEWS Introduction to Clinical Psychology (Second Edition)
by MICHAEL
T. NIETZEL Prentice-Hall,
and DOUGLAS
A. BERNSTEIN
Inc., New Jersey, 1987
Nietxel and Bernstein have provided a comprehensive and scholarly look at the broad Geld of clinical psychology in a well written text suitable for advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students. The authors’ acknowledged cognitive-behavioral bias is hardly evident in their even-handed presentation and criticism of behavioral, psychoanalytic and phenomenological orientations within the field. Chapters include solid evaluative reviews and well chosen examples of assessment, clinical interventions, biological factors and professional issues in clinical psychology from a scientist-practitioner perspective. The literature reviewed is appropriate and often represents the best our field has to offer. Suggestions for further reading are frequently made and are quite relevant. Figures and “boxes” are generally well thought out and contribute to rather than distract from the presentation. The single difficulty I had with the book was in trying to imagine how and where it might fit into a traditional psychology curriculum. Its contents overlap significantly with the content of undergraduate texts in abnormal psychology, personality, tests and measures, and history and systems, yet could not be expected to serve as a substitute for them. The chapters on clinical intervention and professional issues go well beyond that found in typical abnormal psychology texts but are less than should be demanded by graduate courses.
Ignoring curriculum concerns, I would highly recommend the book to advanced undergraduate students who are considering a career in clinical psychology and desire to know more about the profession. It provides an accurate overview of the many facets of the field and presents the field as active and progressive even if not always in complete agreement. The book will also be useful to seasoned practitioners who have spent too many hours in their consulting rooms and wish to learn how their field has evolved. Workers in other human service professions might find the book helpful in helping them understand the profession of clinical psychology and their unique approach to human behavior. In addition, the appendix, “Getting into Graduate School in Clinical Psychology” by John P. Fiore is probably worth the cost of the book in terms of practical information and good advice. WESLEY G. MORGAN
Departmentof Psychology University of Tennessee Knoxville,
TN 37996,
U.S.A.
The Psychological Management of Chronic Pain: A Treatment Manual
by H. CLARE PHILIPS Springer Publishing Company, New York, 1988,266 pp. This text is intended as a treatment manual for the behaviorally trained clinical psychologist interested in working with chronic pain patients. The author notes that the text should serve as a “complete” guide, to the pain management program he developed while working in a general hospital setting. The text is divided into three parts, with the first consisting of the conceptualization and rationale of treatment, an overview of the specific treatment program, and delineation of patient assessment methods and selection criteria. The second part describes in detail nine basic treatment sessions, including relaxation training, physical exercise programs, drug management and detoxification,
the role of emotional states, cognitive factors, and activity management. This part concludes with a summaryintegration of management techniques and final assessment protocols. The third part of the text deals with treatment outcome evaluation, suggestions for proper interaction with referral resources, and a brief overview of possible research ideas. There are also appendices giving specific information on exercise, drug, relaxation, and assessment protocols. The text is well written and organized in an easy-tofollow fashion. While certainly not unique or new, the basic clinical and assessment information described is quite representative of the current psychological-behavioral 269