In Praise of Psychotherapists: How Change Occurs Despite Baffling Theory and Bureaucracy

Written in clear and accessible prose In Praise Of Psychotherapists gets to the heart of what really happens between two people in psychotherapy. James M. McMahon boldly confronts the problems in the profession that have wounded psychotherapy particularly over the past two decades. He challenges the daunting theory political infighting unexamined personal and professional shame narcissism and fusion—topped off by the managed care cabal—that have left the profession and its intended beneficiaries reeling. Still McMahon maintains that an inexorable power of growth is unleashed when two people commit themselves to the examination of personal struggle and he demonstrates the conditions necessary for that explosion of awake-ness to occur in a way never before shown. The author writes This book is written for the ‘regular’ psychotherapist and counselor the ‘grunts in the trenches’ who struggle each day to bring their best selves to a difficult task and also for our patients and clients. It is not written for scholars and theoreticians. It is not about how smart we are but how wise. It is not about ‘us’ curing ‘them.’ It is about how we can listen and love each other and thus unleash growth into the fullness of ourselves. Not since Carl Rogers has a psychologist written with such courage compassion and insight. Dr. McMahon brings a completely fresh perspective to understanding human experience and opens a previously unknown window into the subject of human change. He is the rare psychotherapist who writes of his work with such brilliance and beauty as to be inspirational Ken Byrne Psy.D. CEO The Balint Group Melbourne Australia.