Taking Care: An Alternative to Therapy - Couverture souple

Smail, D.J.

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 009477420X ISBN 13 : 9780094774209

Editeur : Constable, 1998

Synopsis

Offers a refreshing and modern perspective on personal distress.

A propos du livre

Présentation de l'éditeur

Taking Care established David Smail as an important social and political analyst whose background happened to be in clinical psychology. In this work he develops the analysis of mental illness, and psychology in general, in the contexts of society, power and interest.

People's experience is embodied in the world in which they exist. Notwithstanding the claims of some, psychology cannot, in the same way that magic cannot, change the nature of that experience fundamentally. At best, psychotherapy might provide a degree of understanding about that limitation. The historical relationship between psychology and magic is examined.

The socio-political and economic structures of the society in which we live have the greatest influence on mental health, as on many other matters. Therefore, the individuation of focus in psychology on personal relationships, happiness, and sexuality can significantly miss the point. We need to develop political and social structures that take care' of people, to enable them to have meaningful 'public' lives. In that way feelings of self-worth may be fostered, with individuals being less likely to yield to anxiety and distress. Such an environment, further, is more likely to be conducive to successful 'private' relationships.

The unfettered market, allowing some to pursue their interests at the expense of others, it is suggested, is not the mechanism best suited to promote self-worth and minimise anxiety and distress. A wide range of social, political and philosophical commentators are drawn upon, making this a work of scholarship, as well as of contemporary analysis.

Revue de presse

David Smail richly deserves his place amongst the great psychological, philosophical and political writers of the modern age. His critical analysis of the way we are harmed by our experiences in a world that is systematically structured to do so demands our urgent attention. Based on decades of experience as a clinical psychologist, his writing liberates us from fake doctrine, illuminates what is best in humanity, and gives us the courage to embrace our fears, inadequacies and fallibility..' --Elie Godsi, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, therapist, and author of Violence and Society: Making Sense of Madness and Badness

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Constable
• Date d'édition: 1998
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 009477420X
• ISBN 13: 9780094774209
• Reliure: Broché
• Nombre de pages: 176
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible
• Personne responsable: non disponible