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Australian Guidance & Counselling Association (AGCA) Review by Dr. Michael Faulkner, Editor AGCA Newsletter, published June 2008 |
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BOOK REVIEW: Dr Michael Faulkner Rosenvald Therrie, Tian P.S. Oei, Marco Schmidt (2007) Cognitive Behaviour Therapy as a model of psychological intervention has become so vaunted in recent years, that it seems to be evolving into a therapeutic treatment orthodoxy. The ‘one best way’ phenomenon, whether in psychology, education, politics or in civic life for that matter is something many of us have concerns about. However, in spite of concerns about the rise of ‘CBT-ism’, this little book dispels for me, many of those concerns. There is nothing so practical as a good theory, and particularly, when the advocated theory or model has a strong evidence basis to support it. That is the case here. Indeed, a major strength of this book resides in the fact that it is an unusual co-operative venture in clinical psychology. The shared authorship is between a research-oriented CBT practitioner, Professor of Clinical Psychology, Dr Tian P.S. Oei at the University of Queensland, and his co-author Therrie Rosenvald. This second author reports having experienced many years of psychological depression, prior to undertaking CBT intervention work in Brisbane. Together the authors have produced a book which aims to, and should attract a wide readership. It provides an accurate, accessible, and normalising overview of depressive illness, as well as offering potentially life-changing information using CBT-based strategies. The book is made even more accessible due to the colourful and amusing cartoons of Marco Schmidt, and their very apt locations throughout the text. In the first half of this 136 page book, the varieties of depressive mood disorders are outlined, as are the common symptoms of depression. The medication types used in the treating depressive symptoms are also overviewed, and an excellent succinct summary of the principles of CBT is provided. Then, the remainder of the book explores ways by which depressive illness can be fought: combating negative automatic thoughts, challenging old beliefs, changing the negative memories of the past, self-esteem building strategies, and, establishing a support system. Would this book be suitable for working with the clientele of school counsellors and school psychologists? My view is, most definitely, ‘Yes! ’ This is not a technical professional book. Rather it is more of a ‘work-book’ that designed to be utilised as part of on-going counselling treatment with depressive clients. But the book also has potential as a preventative well-being source. As the authors state in the book’s Introduction: The methods of CBT are valuable life skills, and it has been suggested that CBT be taught in high schools as part of the curriculum. CBT is a tool that will assist you when dealing with the demands of everyday life. The strategies of CBT will help you stay healthy and focused when going through stressful times. (p.12) The conceptual level of the book would not be beyond most mid and upper secondary level students. The text under each section is short, and each cartoon is visually engaging, providing a ready way into the text, which makes it accessible too, to younger adolescents. It would be a very useful addition to any school counsellor’s or psychologist’s professional library, not as a decorative item on the office bookshelf, but as a book that should become well-thumbed as it is intended to be, and strategically utilised as an practical therapeutic aid in counselling work with young people. And it would be equally useful in parent education programs. The book endorsed by ‘beyondblue’ is available via the website address: www.depressionmanaged.com, or, from most bookshops, at $24.95. |
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