HELP WITHOUT PSYCHOANALYSIS

by ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 7, 1971

Dr. Fensterheim is a behavior therapist who adapts some of the principles of Pavlov and Andrew Salter and Edmund Jacobson. From the latter he borrows relaxation exercises to lower your SUDs (subjective units of disturbance) down to an optimal zero. Our SUDs level foams up to about 100 however when after declaring that ""behavior therapy makes no claim to being able to handle the primary characteristics of schizophrenia,"" you find Dr. Fensterheim dabbling with paranoia and acute depression. Often, as did his above-named predecessors, he is quite willing to short cut psychoanalysis with the short circuit -- cf. poor Jack L. with a penchant for women's panties all jacked up for shock. Other reflex techniques are less palpable -- aversive therapy and operant conditioning and covert reinforcement. The latter we never apply to books of this kind. They evoke ""disturbed feelings"" and a general wary disinclination which comes under his heading ""fear survey schedule.

Pub Date: July 7, 1971

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Stein & Day

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 1971

Categories: NONFICTION