The Human Elements of Psychotherapy

by Elkins, David N.; Duncan, Barry L.

• ISBN13: 9781433820663
• ISBN10: 1433820668
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2015-09-14
• Publisher: Amer Psychological Assn

Summary

This book presents a nonmedical model of psychotherapy—one that places common factors, particularly human factors, at the center and moves modalities and techniques to the periphery. In a concise volume, Elkins summarizes the supporting evidence from various fields, including clinical psychology, attachment theory, social relationships research, neuroscience, and evolutionary theory. All of these fields show that humans are evolved to develop, maintain, and restore our emotional well-being through human connection and social interaction. Thus, psychotherapy can best be understood as an expression of social healing. After presenting this model and its vast supporting evidence, Elkins then discusses important implications for clinical research, training, and practice. The book also features a foreword by Barry L. Duncan, author of On Becoming a Better Therapist.

Author Biography

David N. Elkins, PhD, is a professor emeritus of psychology in the Graduate School of Education and Psychology at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, where he has trained clinical psychologists for nearly 30 years.

As a licensed psychologist, Dr. Elkins has worked in hospital, community mental health, and private-practice settings. He is a fellow of APA and has served twice (1998–1999 and 2011–2012) as president of Division 32 (Society for Humanistic Psychology).

Dr. Elkins is the author of two previous books and a contributor to the current debate in clinical psychology regarding the determinants of effectiveness in psychotherapy. He has written numerous articles and given many professional presentations on the topic.

The Human Elements of Psychotherapy: A Nonmedical Model of Emotional Healing is grounded in Dr. Elkins's experience as a clinician, professor, and author.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Barry L. Duncan

Acknowledgments

Introduction

1. Clinical Psychology: Clinical Evidence for a Nonmedical Model
2. Attachment Theory and Social Relationships Research: The Power of Human Connection and Social Interaction
3. Neuroscience and Evolutionary Theory: How Our Brains Are Evolved to Heal Through Social Means
4. Moral Treatment: A Historical Example of Healing Through Social Means
5. Summary of the Model and Implications for Clinical Research, Training, and Practice

Afterword

References

About the Author