Cognitive Psychotherapy Toward a New Millennium - Scientific Foundations and Clinical Practice (Hardcover, 2002 ed.)

At the beginning of the new millennium, and after a turbulent development process of almost fifty years, Cognitive Psychotherapy still does not seem to have reached a full epistemological and applicative maturity. However at a clinical level, Cognitive Psychotherapy may be considered as one of the most valid and efficient instruments; it is supported by an enormous mass of research and experimental data covering a numerous series of disorders such as mood disturbances, with particular reference to depression, as well as anxiety, personality and eating disorders. Also recently in the field of schizophrenia several studies have been carried out, capable of suggesting an original cognitive approach to the therapy and rehabilitation of psychotic patients. Along with the classic approach by the Philadelphia School started by A. T. Beck, a pool of further evolutions of the original cognitive paradigm have been taking place and are still under development. Among these, of particular importance are the relational and constructivist approaches. This book is a useful instrument for an extensive review of the varied landscape of contemporary Cognitive Psychotherapy. Starting from the introduction chapter, "Cognitive Psychotherapy toward a new millennium," by the Editors, the theoretical chapters of the first part of the book, focus on the great issues of Contemporary Cognitive Psychotherapy. The second part includes a series of chapters dealing with clinical applications. The third part covers almost all psychiatric disorders. This volume will be a greatly useful contribution to the critical reflection about the development of Cognitive Psychotherapy at the beginning of the new millennium.