The Silent Language of Psychotherapy: Social Reinforcement of Unconscious Processes

by David M. Young and Ernst G. Beier

Book Overview

Therapeutic changes occur in many places, and among animals as well as humans. A theory that attempts to explain therapeutic changes should be based on principles that apply not only to those changes occurring during the hour, but also to those observed in the educational process, in interpersonal relations, and in the social milieu, as well as with animals. It would be desirable to discover principles broad enough to provide a deeper understanding...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0202306100
• ISBN13: 9780202306100
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 324 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Brilliant

A terrific book of "general principles" that anyone of practically any theoretical orientation will likely find useful. Incomprehensibly and inexplicably underrated. The theory is based on very sound principles of behavior and simply extends them to include times when we are not aware of what we are doing and why, and are also unaware of what might be rewarding about even our negative behaviors. It makes sense, because in many cases humans can be subject to reinforcement (reward) and punishment without full awareness. It gets really interesting when the interaction of two persons, each of whom is always "pulling" for a certain response from the other, interact. I won't give the rest away, as it's too much of a pleasure to read. It's a must-have for therapists who do more than just "band aid" therapy.

A classic book on counseling process and technique.

I read the first edition in 1977 or so and it revolutionized my work as a therapist. Beier's original thinking about how unconscious processes are rewarded can help the practicing psychotherapist understand the richness of the therapeutic relationship.