Pseudoscience in Therapy
A Skeptical Field Guide

This field guide covers mental health myths, diagnostic controversies, questionable assessment practices, and dubious treatments.

Stephen Hupp (Edited by), Cara L. Santa Maria (Edited by)

9781316519226, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 23 March 2023

374 pages
23.5 x 15.5 x 2.5 cm, 0.71 kg

'This client- and outcomes-focused book is a valuable read for both new and experienced therapists. Experts from multiple fields weigh in on potentially harmful practices commonly used for various diagnoses, as well as provide effective evidence-based treatments for the same diagnoses. The chapters in this interesting collection can help you think more critically about popular treatments and our responsibility as therapists to deliver the best care possible, supported by science.' Judith Beck, President of the Beck Institute, USA

When experiencing mental health challenges, we all deserve treatments that actually work. Whether you are a healthcare consumer, student, or mental health professional, this book will help you recognize implausible, ineffective, and even harmful therapy practices while also considering recent controversies. Research-supported interventions are identified in this book and expanded upon in a companion volume. Chapters cover every major mental disorder and are written by experts in their respective fields. Pseudoscience in Therapy is of interest to students taking courses in psychotherapy, counseling, clinical psychology, and behavior therapy, as well as practitioners looking for a guide to proven therapeutic techniques.

1. Thinking critically about therapy Cara L. Santa Maria
2. Depression R. Trent Codd III
3. Bipolar spectrum Monica Ramirez Basco and Brittany L. Mason
4. Anxiety Dean McKay
5. Obsessions and compulsions Dean McKay
6. Trauma Gerald M. Rosen, Henry Otgaar, and Harald Merckelbach
7. Dissociation Steven Jay Lynn, Fiona Sleight, Craig P. Polizzi, Damla Aksen, Lawrence Patihis, Henry Otgaar and Olivier Dodier
8. Pain Harriet Hall
9. Eating issues Jamie Loor, Jennifer Battles, Brooke L. Bennett, Brooke L. Whisenhunt, and Danae L. Hudson
10. Insomnia Colleen E. Carney, Parky H. Lau and Samlau Kutana
11. Sexual issues Caroline F. Pukall
12. Substance use and addiction Jonathan N. Stea, Igor Yakovenko, Hyoun S. Kim, and David C. Hodgins
13. Significant cognitive decline Claudia Drossel and Jacqueline Pachis
14. Antisocial behavior Devon L. L. Polaschek
15. Personality Joel Paris
16. Psychosis and schizophrenia Brandon A. Gaudiano, Katherine Visser and Elizabeth Thompson
17. Autism spectrum and intellectual disability Jason C. Travers
18. Inattention and hyperactivity J. Russell Ramsay
19. Tics Kirsten Bootes, Brianna Wellen, Emily Braley and Michael B Himle
20. Couples discord Erin F. Alexander and Matthew D. Johnson
Postscript: Scientific skepticism resources Stephen Hupp
Index.

Subject Areas: Clinical psychology [MMJ], Psychiatry [MMH], Mental health services [MBPK], Health psychology [MBNH9]