An Interview with Jonathan Engel, Ph.D. on the History of American Psychotherapy

Mental Help Net (www.mentalhelp.net) presents the Wise Counsel Podcast (wisecounsel.mentalhelp.net), hosted by David Van Nuys, Ph.D. "Jonathan Engel, Ph.D. on the History of American Psychotherapy". In this edition of the Wise Counsel Podcast, Dr. Van Nuys interviews Jonathan Engel, Ph.D. about his book "American Therapy" concerning the history of psychotherapy in America. Though recognizing the technical distinctiveness of three major schools of psychotherapy (psychodynamic, humanistic and cognitive behavioral), and the multiple fields that deliver therapy, Dr. Engel's research suggests that practicing therapists are largely pragmatic and eclectic in their orientations. He emphasizes that effective therapy always involves therapists who can deeply empathize with their patients. Some historical figures important in the history of American therapy including Sullivan and Rogers are discussed, as well as the merits of the technically driven modern and empirically validated therapies which have emerged in the last few decades.