Psicoterapia Cognitiva del Paziente Grave: Metacognizione e Relazione Terapeutica

Abstract

Psicoterapia Cognitiva del Paziente Grave: Metacognizione e Relazione Terapeutica Antonio Semerari (Ed.). Milano, Rome: Raffaello Cortina Editore (www.raffaellocortina.it). 1999, 366 pp., 26, 86 Euro (softcover). Over the course of time, some of the world's finest literature has gone unappreciated due to being penned in languages foreign to the reader. Unfortunately, not all great literature is completely translatable from its original tongue and hence, despite conceited efforts and skill, much may be lost in the process of translation. Even though there are many similarities between the romance languages (i.e., Italian, Spanish, French and Portuguese), there is still much in the prose that would leave this work incomprehensible to the majority of cognitive-behavioral therapists outside of Italy. Consequently, only a minimal number of readers may benefit from the content which is a pity, since it is so very nicely prepared. The book, edited by Antonio Semerari, is titled Cognitive Therapy With Serious Patients. The editor recruited a number of seasoned and well-trained psychiatrists and psychologists who emanate from the renowned Center for Cognitive Therapy in Rome. This Center in Rome has earned both European and American recognition for its research and training programs. The editor and his contributors embark on the arduous task of applying cognitive therapy to patients with some of the more serious types of illnesses, which include personality disorders, psychotic states, and anxiety disorders. Using state of the art techniques in an overall metacognitive approach, the editor and contributors outline their dimensional approach for treating serious cases. The text addresses the topic from a metacognitive approach and is delineated in three sections. The initial section covers the theoretical references in which the concept of metacognition is boldly introduced and discussed. One area that is clearly highlighted is metacognition and the theory of the mind. In this section, the authors contend that metacognitions evolve from early cognitive development and are later shaped by the individual's perception of his/her life experiences. There is also a chapter that traces the synthesis of cognitive therapy with severely disturbed patients and focuses on treatment aspects that are elaborated in the second part of the text. The contributors also review some of the history of the constructive approach and how it dovetails with Aaron Beck's work on personality disturbance. …