House
of Cards: Psychology and Psychotherapy
Built
on Myth
by Robyn M. Dawes, Peter David
Synopsis
Robin Dawes spares no one in this powerful
critique of modern psychotherapeutic practice. As Dawes points out, we
have all been swayed by the "pop psych" view of the world - believing,
for example, that self-esteem is an essential precursor to being a productive
human being, that events in one's childhood affect one's fate as an adult,
and that "you have to love yourself before you can love another.".
Synopsis
A critical study of contemporary psychotherapy
challenges commonly held assumptions about self-esteem and self-love, among
other pop psychology concepts.
A controversial look at the therapy profession
today. Noted psychological research scientist Dawes critically examines
some of the most cherished clinical assumptions and therapeutic methods
now in use. In addition, he takes issue with many of the treatment methods
commonly used in therapy practices.
Customer Comments
mkaan@pangea.ca from Winnipeg,
Canada, November 23, 1998
An excellent book, and a must for therapists.
I am a therapist myself, so I naturally
began reading this book with trepidation. But instead of the blanket attack
I expected, I found instead a very carefully written book that exposés
that deeply flawed foundations to much of current psychotherapy, pop psychology,
and professional reputation. I read this book at a time in my own career
when a respect for science and the need for verifiable information were
re-emerging, and House of Cards has provided me with a number of
insights and tools that have helped me to provide therapy that is more
effective and that avoids pie-in-the-sky promises or beliefs. Dawes is
right: although therapy is not a science itself, it should be founded
on scientific knowledge.
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