Conversations on therapy - David R. Grove

Grove, who
trained for many years with Haley, has been in
this enviable position. In this book, which
Haley calls "not profound, but
practical", the two authors discuss cases
typical of what therapists in mental health
centers face: serious and chronic problems,
threats of family dissolution or violence, and
involvement of several systems, such as the
court and protective services. Grove presents
provocative questions: Should he try to reunite
a couple even though the husband has been
violent in the past and may be again? How can
one empower a stepfather who is inept and
unemployed and acts like a teenager himself?
When a woman can't remember much of her
childhood and so suspects she was abused, is
remembering necessary? How does a couple's
current sexual relationship relate to past
abuse? If one partner of a divorcing couple is
having an affair, should the therapist help the
other partner become aware of the affair - and
how? Together he and Haley devise innovative
strategies for these problematic situations.
While starting with individual cases, the
discussion ranges widely over the dilemmas that
arise in hypnotic and strategic family therapy.
Haley clarifies many of his positions, shows
where his position has changed over the years,
and introduces new techniques. This is a
marvelous chance to interact with a master of
psychotherapy.