Positive Psychotherapy: Theory and Practice of a New Method

The union of Eastern and European points of view in an effective psycho- therapy, such as is described by the author, is very salutary. Especially the parables portray, in attractive symbolism, the wisdom ofthe East, in which psychological insights are represented in what seems to be the simplest way. The author understands how to bring his heritage to bear upon psy- chotherapy. Although the categories of his psychological system, for ex- ample basic capacities and actual capacities, certainly represent only one of many possible theoretical conceptions, we must conclude from his re- port that they can be used effectively in treatment. To be sure, such a sy- stem of categories, such a metapsychology, will be of greater assistance to the therapist than to the patient in explanation and clarification. In the fi- nal analysis the only essential thing for the patient who seeks out the psy- chotherapist for help is whether the physician or psychologist is candid with hirn and accepts hirn unconditionally, no matter what he is like. Peseschkian's "positive psychotherapy" and the author's lucid personal conduct transmit to the reader the impression that a born psychotherapist, with a special motivation to assist professionally those who consult hirn in the resolution of their conflicts, is at work. I wish the author complete suc- cess with this book. Prof. Raymond Battegay, M. D.