evolution of psychotherapy: A meeting of the minds, The

American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis,  Oct 2004  by Parsons-Fein, Jane

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There is the soulful reflection of James Hillman that the lack of beauty in life can create pathology. "Our theories do admit reluctantly that a non-human world influences us" (p. 162). "My scorn is for your generals-the theories you are unwittingly required to practice, theories derived from nineteenth century idolatry of science and statistics, progress and performance, theories that leave out the actual world of things, the natural environment and the invisible" (p. 164).

Donald Meichenbaum's rejoinder to Hillman: "Dr.Hillman and I come from different theoretical perspectives and embrace different methodological frameworks. My approach is more practical in nature" (p. 171). We have Thomas Szasz's radical, thought-provoking, and to some, alarming, reflections on suicide and James Masterson's compassionate rebuttal.

Arnold Lazarus'passionate presentation entitled "Something Must Be Done About the Totalitarian Mentality of Many Ethics Committees and Licensing Boards" is a must read for every professional. It is a frightening concept that accused professionals have to prove their innocence rather than defend it with legal assistance.

Rossi's essay on neurogenesis continues his pioneering work to validate on the level of neurobiology the transformations that can occur in our clinical work.

Zeig also continues to do original and seminal work. He encourages us to amplify our abilities to communicate by using our bodies as well as our minds and gives us concrete images to use. He presents 26 symbolic therapeutic postures as a multilevel metaphor for the hypnotherapeutic process. For those unfamiliar with Milton Erickson, Zeig continues to make deceptively simple and usable the infinite complexity, flexibility, and variety of the doctor who refused to be bored or tied to a theory and who saw every patient as unique. For those of us who worked with Erickson, Zeig keeps re-exploring his genius in refreshing, dramatic, and humorous ways.

The last presentation in the book is a passionate and upsetting State of the Art address by Laura Huxley, bringing new awareness to what we all think we are committed to: The plight of children, especially unwanted children. She presents the following figures (in 2000), as a plea to support her organization, Children Our Ultimate Investment:

In America every 59 seconds a baby is born to a teenager.

Every day 2,745 children drop out of school

Every day 5,753 children are arrested

Every day 8,470 children are reported abused or neglected

Every 2 hours a child is a victim of homicide-and if convicted the murderer of the child receives only one-quarter of the sentence of the murderer of an adult!

Every 2 hours a child commits suicide (p. 359).

She quotes Ralph Nader: "The corporations are electronic child molesters.. .Yearby year parents are losing control over their own children to the omnipenetrating hucksterism of companies...hoping to learn how to stimulate and exploit their anxieties, fears, loneliness, and sensual drives in order to sell, sell, sell."