The Talking Cure: Wittgenstein's Therapeutic Method for Psychotherapy [Hardcover]

In the last 15 years there has been a change in direction in our understanding of Wittgenstein; the 'resolute' reading of him places great emphasis on his therapeutic intent and argues that the aim of Wittgenstein's thought is to show how language functions.?This book?argues that this is highly relevant to understanding psychotherapy.Abbreviations of Wittgenstein's Work Preface The Problem Introduction Fearless Speech Talking versus Writing The Critical Method Reasons and Causes Elucidations Back to the Rough Ground The Self and Images A Non-Foundational Therapy References

'In this superb book John Heaton presents and defends a post Freudian 'talking cure' approach to psychotherapy. What gives the book a special weight is its reliance on the work of Wittgenstein. Scarcely a page goes by without a quotation from and insightful remarks on his writing. This appeal to Wittgenstein is remarkable in its depth of understanding and in the range of texts cited. The ideas thus culled are artfully employed in laying out the details of the theory-free take on therapy that constitutes John Heaton's talking cure. They are also most tellingly used in an ongoing attack on what are seen as the similar theory laden approaches found in the work of Freud and the cognitive therapists [...] Altogether a delightful and important book.'

- Professor J. Canfield, University of Toronto, Canada, USA

'This book shows how Wittgenstein's therapeutic method can be applied to psychotherapy. An original endeavour which may well break new ground [...] a work that psychologists, psychotherapists and psychoanalysts will want to read.'

- Dr Daniele Moyal-Sharrock, University of Hertfordshire, UK

'[...] Heaton's revolutionary book requires, needs, and deserves to be read not only by psychotherapists and psychiatrists but by every mental health professional.'

- British Journal of Psychiatry

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