Book Review: Psychotherapy, Contemporary Cognitive Therapy: Theory, Research, and Practice

Abstract

Psychotherapy Contemporary Cognitive Therapy: Theory, Research, and Practice Robert L Leahy, editor. New York (NY): The Guilford Press; 2004. 416 p. CDNS49.95. Reviewer rating: Good In honor of Aaron Beck and his fundamental impact on psychotherapy, several disciples in the field have contributed to editor Robert Leahy's Contemporary Cognitive Therapy: Theory, Research, and Practice. The diverse nature of this book results in a somewhat eclectic volume that includes both clinical and research chapters which will appeal to different audiences. The book is organized into 5 parts, ranging from conceptual and theoretical issues to the specific applications of cognitive therapy (CT) for various disorders. The diversity of topics discussed in the book is both its strength and weakness. Moreover, the reader who chooses to read this book from start to finish may find the vast range of topics both tedious and stimulating as the book carries him or her through a collection of the most recent developments in the clinical and research domains. Christine Padesky starts the book with an excellent overview of Aaron Beck, the man, and provides the reader with a good sense of who he is and the impact he has continued to have on those around him. Chapter 2 reviews Beck's theory of depression in a concise manner and presents some of the studies supporting this model. Unfortunately, the chapter's latter part, which reviews future directions, is somewhat weak, and the overall discussion of the mentioned studies is not critical enough, leaving the reader without a full appreciation of the actual impact these studies had on Beck's hypothesis of depression. Chapter 3 provides a generally good critical review of the studies on CT's efficacy and effectiveness in the acute treatment and prevention of relapse for depression. Unfortunately, it is somewhat disappointing that the processes of changes in CT is too briefly mentioned, leaving the reader wondering whether there is something unique to that differentiates it from other empirically-based psychotherapies. Chapter 4 presents the model of looming cognitive vulnerability, a negative cognitive style that functions as a danger schema predicting anxiety states but also helps in differentiating anxiety from depression. Although a difficult topic, the author presents it in a well-written and accessible fashion. Chapter 5 reviews a metaanalysis of between 1993 and 2001 for both generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and panic disorder. …