Embracing Non-Directivity -

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Résumé :
An expert collection investigating non-directivity, the distinguishing feature of the revolutionary, anti-authoritarian approach to psychotherapy developed by Carl Rogers.

Biographie:
Brian Eliot Levitt, Psy.D., C.Psych., trained for three years at the Chicago Counseling and Psychotherapy Center, the center that grew from Carl Rogers' work at the University of Chicago. It was there that he met Barbara Brodley, who continues to be his mentor. After studying as a psychotherapy extern, pre-doctoral intern, and post-doctoral fellow at the Center, he joined the staff as a therapist and trainer. He also trained for two years at the Pre-Therapy Institute in Chicago, under the tutelage of Garry Prouty, earning certification in the practice of Pre-Therapy. He worked for several years in full-care nursing facilities for people with chronic mental illnesses, while teaching and maintaining a small private practice. He underwent additional training after emigrating to Canada, respecializing as a rehabilitation psychologist. Currently, he maintains an independent practice in Toronto.

Sommaire:
Introduction: About the Non-directive Attitude - Barbara Brodley Historical and Theoretical Perspectives on Non-directivity * Non-directivity: The Foundational Attitude- Brian Levitt * Historic Events in Client-Centered Therapy and the Person-Centered Approaches -Nat Raskin * Forms of Non-Directive Psychotherapy: The Non-Directive Tradition - Garry Prouty * Two Rogers and Congruence: The Emergence of Therapist-Centered Therapy and the Demise of Client-Centered Therapy - Marvin Frankel and Lisbeth Sommerbeck * Non-Directivity: An Ontological Concept - Francoise Ducroux-Biass * Facilitative responsiveness: Non-directiveness from anthropological, epistemological and ethical perspectives - Peter Schmid The Nondirective Attitude in Individual Psychotherapy * 'It enlightens everything you do': Observing Non-directivity in a Client-Centered Therapy Demonstration Session - Brian Levitt and Barbara Brodley * The Experience of Non-directivity in Client-Centered Therapy: A Case Study - Beth Freire * The Anatomy of Empathic Reflections: Socratic Self-examination by Means of Non-Directive Empathy - Marvin Frankel * Non-Directive work with People Diagnosed with a Severe Mental Illness - Lisbeth Sommerbeck * Polemic Discussion of Non-Directivity and Substance Use - Sue Wilders * The Art of Non-Directive Being in Psychotherapy - Jerold Bozarth Ethics and Applications Beyond Individual Psychotherapy * Non-directiveness: A Necessary Compass - Marge Witty * Taking only what is given: Empathy and self-determination in nondirective client-centered therapy - Barry Grant * Nondirective Therapist Congruence in Theory and Practice - Kathy Moon * Non-Directive Person-Centered Community Groups: Facilitation of Freedom and Personal Power - Jerold Bozarth * Client-Centered Family & Couple Therapy: A Retrospective and a Practitioner's Guide - John McPherrin * Trust Builds Learning: The Context and Effectiveness of Non-Directivity in Education - Jeffrey H.D. Cornelius-White and Cecily F. Cornelius-White * Some Essentials of a Client-Centered Approach to Assessment - C.H. Patterson (previously published paper with C. Edward Watkins, Jr.) Historical Afterword * The Non-Directive Attitude - Nat Raskin

Many of the 'believers' in non-directivity can be found in 'Embracing Non-Directivity' edited by Brian. E. Levitt (2005) (the roll call is an excellent reminder that it is not passe nor academically unsound to be non-directive) and the behavioural/attitudinal distinction runs through many of their articles, explicitly or otherwise. In fact, to drive it home from the outset, the introductory chapter is a revised version of Barbara Temaner Brodley's classic short paper from 1999, 'About the Non-directive Attitude', which articulates the issue simply and skillfully and is a great opener - From hereonin the book is almost an embarrassment of riches. It is a scholarly collection and one that lends formidable weight to the argument that rather than being out-of-date, non-directivity is more relevant now than ever, and as the breadth and intelligence of the articles suggests, we might even be seeing a significant shift or re-balancing of person-centred thought - a kind of back to the future where the contemporary proliferation and dilution of ideas and practices inspires some to seek out once more the essence of the approach - I don't think it's overstating things to identify this as a key text for anyone wanting to understand what Carl Rogers' approach to therapy has become, some 50 years after its inception. Andy Rogers, Ipnosis No 21, 2006. This book is essential reading for counsellors interested in updating their understanding of Carl Rogers' person-centred theory. In a series of essays written by an impressive international collection of person-centred writers, this book explores important facets of non-directivity as it relates to person-centred theory and practice. Their contributions examine the history, theory, applications and implications of the non-directive attitude. Non-directivity emerges in these pages as a way of being that remains vital and highly relevant to the practice of person-centred therapy, other person-centred applications and psychotherapy in general. Rhonda Luttrell, Diploma in Professional Counselling, QMACA, Counselling Australia, Volume 5, Number 4, Summer 2005