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Encyclopedia of Psychotherapy

  • 2nd Edition - September 15, 2026
  • Latest edition
  • Editors: David Reitman, Brian Marx
  • Language: English

The Encyclopedia of Psychotherapy, Second Edition, Three Volume Set covers the major psychotherapies currently in practice as well as the classical approaches that laid the fo… Read more

Description

The Encyclopedia of Psychotherapy, Second Edition, Three Volume Set covers the major psychotherapies currently in practice as well as the classical approaches that laid the foundation for the various contemporary treatment approaches. In addition, the encyclopaedia identifies the scientific studies conducted on the efficacy of the therapies and review the theoretical basis of each therapy.

The new edition has been thoroughly updated from the first edition, focusing on major modes of psychotherapy practice and core psychotherapy processes. Outdated entries have been culled or combined with other entries in a manner that better communicates the content to present-day readers (e.g., “water-misting therapy” can be addressed in a more cohesive entry covering the use of punishment techniques more generally).

Key features

  • Incorporates the expertise of over 150 outstanding investigators who provide their conclusions in the context of the latest experimental results
  • Presents areas of disagreement and consensus views that provide a holistic view of the subjects under discussion
  • Updated content and special topics which highlight current trends and future challenges to psychotherapy practice (e.g., “third party payment” and “app-based and on-line delivery of psychotherapy”)

Readership

Academic, medical, and public libraries; professional schools, mental health reference libraries; psychiatric institutes, psychological clinics, clinical social work departments, psychoanalytic institutes

Table of contents

1. Population: Adult vs. Child/Adolescent

2. Psychotherapy Systems: Behavior/Cognitive Behavioral; Psychodynamic; Transtheoretical.

3. Diagnosis: Depression; Anxiety; Disruptive Behavior Disorders (Child).

4. Special Topics: Barriers to Treatment; the Therapeutic Relationship; Modular Treatment; Dissemination; Placebo Effects; Cognitive Restructuring; and the Cognitive Triad.

Review quotes

Review of the previous edition:
"The Encyclopedia of Psychotherapy is a remarkably ambitious attempt to provide a state-of-the-art edited tome of this quickly evolving and highly complex field...One of the editors, Michel Hersen, has a very long history of publishing quality and highly ambitious edited books that have often become the standard in the field...Hersen and Sledge have assembled a remarkably diverse and talented group of professionals to work with them on this ambitious project...Just about everything in the field of psychotherapy is covered in its pages, and then some...Overall, the encyclopedia is a remarkable achievement. It is a useful and mostly comprehensive resource for both professionals and others...Both professionals and non-professionals should find the book easy to read and educational. Thus, the volumes are an excellent resource for anyone interested in almost any branch or subspecialty of psychotherapy. University libraries, graduate and postgraduate training programs, and even Dr. Phil might be especially interested in having these volumes available to them...The volumes should clearly be in any professional or personal library that values psychotherapy. It is a handy book that would likely be used often by readers. It is sure to be a standard in the field."—CONTEMPORARY PSYCHOLOGY

"Psychotherapy, as a vital treatment modality in health care since at least the beginning of the 20th century, has generated as many questions as it has provided answers. Among them are "what is psychotherapy and how does it work?", "which forms or cost effective yet efficacious?", and "what is the theory (ies) behind it and what is its scientific basis?"The Encyclopedia of Psychotherapy strives to answer the aforementioned questions - and more. This two-volume reference work is intended for a multi-faceted audience. As a reference work, the encyclopedia can be used by students and professionals from the fields from counseling and clinical psychology, psychiatry, psychiatric nursing, and social work. However, as an encyclopedia, the intended audience is much broader, including lay individuals seeking vetted information in this rapidly expanding and changing field...A particularly useful feature is cross-references to other encyclopedia chapters where applicable...The Encyclopedia of Psychotherapy will make a useful addition to college and medical school libraries."—E-STREAMS

"...this informative and well-organized encyclopedia "addresses over 200 topics"and presents a "compilation of both the science and art of psychotherapy."Entries describe primarily various schools or models of treatment and analysis, but also include related concepts, e.g., clarification, efficacy, post-traumatic stress disorder, transference. Most entries about therapies include a descriptive overview of the treatment, its theoretical basis, applications and exclusions with regard to population, empirical studies, case illustrations, and a summary; all entries include an outline, glossary, cross-references, and list of further readings. Used together, the table of contents and index provide good access to the set. Both editors have distinguished careers in the field, Hersen in psychology at Pacific University and Sledge in psychiatry at Yale University's School of Medicine. The assoicate editors and advisory board members are also well qualified. Excellent for professionals and a good introduction for students beginning research; highly recommended for libraries supporting counseling or clinical psychology."—CHOICE

"These two volumes present an enormous amount of theory, practice, research, and training in a diverse, interesting, and controversial field...The result is commendable...This is a good buy..."—LIBRARY JOURNAL

Product details

  • Edition: 2
  • Latest edition
  • Published: September 15, 2026
  • Language: English

About the editors

DR

David Reitman

David Reitman, Ph.D. is a Professor of Psychology at Nova Southeastern University's College of Psychology and the Director of the ADHD Assessment Consultation and Treatment (AACT) Program. Dr. Reitman is the author of nearly 50 publications concerned with child behavioral problems, behavior management, and parenting practices. He serves on the editorial board of several journals concerned with child behavior therapy and behavioral disorders, and recently completed editing 2 books concerned with child assessment. Dr. Reitman also supervises students in the Psychology Services Center at the College of Psychology. Since 2003, the ADHD Assessment, Consultation and Treatment Program (AACT) has served over 200 youths and their families. Dr. Reitman's prior research and consulting activities have resulted in a number of collaborations with large organizations serving children, most notably Head Start Programs (in Mississippi and Louisiana) and, most recently, with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Broward County. Dr. Reitman has also served as consultant to the Children's Services Council of Broward County and frequently conducts trainings on logic modeling and outcome evaluation for 'Out of School' providers. Dr. Reitman has served as the Director of Project RISE since its inception in 2005.
Affiliations and expertise
Professor of Psychology, Nova Southeastern University's College of Psychology and the Director of the ADHD Assessment Consultation and Treatment (AACT) Program., USA

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Brian Marx

Dr. Marx is a Professor of Psychiatry at Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine and staff psychologist at the National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System. Dr. Marx graduated with Honors in Psychology from Boston University in 1989. He completed his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Mississippi in 1996. Dr. Marx is an expert in behavior therapy, PTSD assessment, and the effects of trauma. He serves on the editorial board of several scientific journals and has served as a grant reviewer for the National Institute of Mental Health, Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs. Dr. Marx’s research interests include the association between PTSD and functional impairment, PTSD and memory, identifying risk factors for posttraumatic difficulties and developing brief, efficacious treatments for PTSD. Currently, his research is funded by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.
Affiliations and expertise
Professor of Psychiatry, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine and staff psychologist, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, USA