Essential Psychotherapies

“Coedited by two of the most influential figures in the field, this text achieves a major feat by meeting the learning needs of aspiring and early-career practitioners while also providing helpful guidance to experienced psychotherapists. The fourth edition covers issues that are crucial for understanding when psychotherapy may be indicated, who may benefit from it, how it may be best implemented, and what type of benefits it may bring—as well as what its limitations are and potential ways to improve it. Leading clinicians and researchers present what is necessary to know about the predominant theoretical orientations of our day. In addition to covering core ingredients of psychotherapy, chapters address cutting-edge issues such as the promotion of evidence-based practices, diversity factors in the richness of human experience, and connections between psychological and physical health.”

—Louis G. Castonguay, PhD, Liberal Arts Professor of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University


“Messer and Kaslow have done an exceptional job of editing the fourth edition of this much-beloved text. Contributors describe the theory, research, and practice of each psychotherapy with extraordinary depth and forward-thinking clarity. They underscore the implications of new developments and future directions. I strongly recommend this text as truly essential to preparing the next generation of mental health providers in any discipline. Students will go back to the book again and again, and each time will find their thinking about psychotherapy deepened and refined.”

—Jennifer L. Callahan, PhD, ABPP, Department of Psychology, University of North Texas


“The fourth edition of this text shows the remarkable progress we have made in psychotherapy over the last several decades. The distinguished chapter authors cover the waterfront—from the various psychodynamic and CBT approaches to group, couple, and family therapies. The book's vision of psychotherapy is more like a chorus of remarkable individual voices singing in harmony than the Tower of Babel, as the field is sometimes portrayed. This book is perfect for a foundational course in psychotherapy, and also meets the needs of experienced practitioners who want to stay up to date on the latest theory and evidence-based practice.”

—Richard F. Summers, MD, ABPN, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania


“Messer and Kaslow have selected seasoned experts to describe the major theories and interventions that have influenced the field of psychotherapy. Each chapter provides a strong theoretical focus and historical context for the treatments, a summary of the available empirical research, conceptualizations of personality, and treatment-specific ethical issues. Detailed case examples nicely depict the differences between therapeutic approaches, as well as multicultural considerations. The suggestions for further reading and recommended videos are particularly useful. For students who are evolving as therapists themselves, the understanding of the field's history and development that this text provides is critically important.”

—Sandra B. Morissette, PhD, Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at San Antonio