Abstract
In the 1950s, psychotherapist Eugene Gendlin took part in research in an attempt to discover which factors were involved in the success or failure of psychotherapy. This ultimately led to him pioneering what is now known as Focusing therapy. This relatively little known therapy has become more popular worldwide over the years and is unique in the sense that it is not a therapeutic method in itself, but a way of understanding human behaviour in those conflicted. Focusing in Clinical Practice sheds some light on this interesting topic and attempts to justify its relevance and usefulness in clinical practice.
Following an introductory section, this book is divided into 10 chapters. Chapter 1 opens with an example of Focusing, which is then picked apart and used to deduce the characteristics of this therapy. This is carried out effectively and clearly illustrates these characteristics. Following this, terms crucial to the heart of Focusing are introduced, such as ‘felt sense’ (an inner, preverbal, vague sense, perhaps of a previous trauma), ‘implying’ (the next step for the client that would illicit change), ‘carrying forward’ (when what is implied occurs) and ‘stopped sense’ (when what is implied does not occur). Ultimately, this first chapter gives the reader an overview of Focusing and provides a base of knowledge which is built upon in the proceeding chapters.
Chapter 2 offers more practical advice to the therapist on how to introduce Focusing into sessions with clients. It sets the scene for chapters 3–7 which then primarily focus on the ‘felt sense’, but in particular, recognising and working with felt senses, methods in helping clients to experience them in various situations, empowering the client and providing them with the optimal environment to experience the felt sense, helping them progress their experience and how to effectively work with more difficult clients. All of thesetopics, to name a few, lead smoothly to a more clinical context in the final three chapters.
Chapter 8 discusses Focusing with clients who have suffered from trauma, addictions and depression. This chapter provides several illustrative examples with such clients and discusses characteristics of sessions with them, also referring to material covered in previous chapters, which enhances understanding of the relevant topics by layering them in different contexts. However, most of this chapter is dealt with using examples, and not much information backed by research. The final two chapters are aimed more at therapists, with chapter 9 discussing combining Focusing with 10 commonly practised psychotherapeutic methods, and chapter 10 discussing the importance of the therapist focusing, to improve client outcomes, and for their own self-care to maintain their mental well-being and availability to clients.
Focusing in Clinical Practice is an interesting introduction to the topic. However, while it offers a lot of information and advice, it is largely devoid of empirical research, and so merely provides an alternate way of thinking for psychotherapy. This book is recommended for therapists and clients alike, including those in the United Kingdom, but only as a theoretical framework that can, with more research, be expanded on in the future.