The Patient Who Cured His Therapist: 2and Other Tale of Therapy

While practitioners know that in certain instances a patient's psychological problems may function as solutions to deeper difficulties, the process is made particularly clear in this provocative collection of case histories. With Newsday columnist Lowe, New York City psychologist Siegel cites stories from his practice--one about a woman who developed the belief that her normal baby had Down's Syndrome to assuage her guilt over the child's paternity, another involving a teenager whose failures were a way to help her mother feel needed, and others. Siegel also reviews unconventional therapeutic techniques he has used to reach patients quickly and effectively. By looking at what a given ``failure'' serves to accomplish, Siegel authoritatively offers readers an insightful angle on human behavior and psychotherapy. (Aug.)