Zen and Psychotherapy: Integrating Traditional and Nontraditional Approaches

by Christopher J. Mruk PhD, Joan Hartzell RN, MA

Overview

With over 80 years of combined experience in the mental health field, Mruk and Hartzell explore the role of spirituality and religion in treatment and provide a sound clinical and academic rationale for integrating principles of Zen and traditional psychotherapy. They offer help to clinicians, supervisors, and educators in understanding specific Zen principles that can hold significant therapeutic value, and how they are compatible with traditional, empirically oriented, scientifically based education and training, regardless of one's particular academic or disciplinary orientation.

The authors, one a clinical educator and social scientist, the other a nurse psychotherapist and practicing Buddhist, present a fascinating dialogue on the "science" and the "art" sides of the art-science debate. This allows their different points of view to come together in both academic and personal communication, offering practical suggestions for achieving a balance between these two views on the helping and healing process.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780826120335
Publisher:	Springer Publishing Company
Publication date:	07/01/2003
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	264
File size:	804 KB

About the Author

Chris Mruk, PhD, is a professor of psychology at Bowling Green State University, Firelands College, Ohio.

Joan Hartzell, RN, MA, works at community mental health centers where she helps people who suffer from serious illness, and in her private practice.

Table of Contents

"Foreword

1. Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Therapies
2. The Basic Principles of Zen and Their Psychotherapeutic Implications
3. From Realism to Idealism: Traditional Therapies and Zen
4. Practical Applications: Zen in the Clinical Setting
5. Integrating Zen and Psychotherapy: Connections and Limits

Appendix I: Glossary
Appendix II: Zen Resources
References
Index"

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"The authors provide substance for the scholar and clinician alike. Mental health professionals, both seasoned and novice, will delight in the insightful blending of the lifetime of experience between the authors and the timeless practicality of Zen. A good reference for anyone dealing with the suffering of others."
—Michael Jones, PhD, Director, Psychological Associates, Houston, TX

"A sound contribution to a growing body of work on the benefits (and challenges) of integrating Buddhism into psychotherapy. The bibliography is thorough, and the resource list (including websites, tapes and journals) excellent. I particularly enjoyed the practical applications of Zen in diverse settings (e.g. in managed health care, supervision, with severe mental illness, with the dying). It will be useful to students of psychology and newcomers to Buddhism."
-New Therapist