Digby Tantam – författare

Why do some people repeatedly injure themselves? How common is this form of self-harm? How can professionals offer appropriate intervention and support to those whose lives are troubled by it, either directly or indirectly? This authoritative and systematic book adopts a holistic approach to the problem of repeated self-injury and the difficult emotions and experiences that it gives rise to.Bringing together theory, research and a wealth of case vignettes, Understanding Repeated Self-Injury examines both the psychological and physical aspects of self-injury. The authors explain how deliberate cutting or burning of the skin is used by many as a way to overcome and temporarily escape bad feeling and thus transcend the limits of their identity.In particular, the book- Presents a unifying model for theory and practice, based on the phenomenology of self-injury- Examines the important role of identity and dissociation in perpetuating self-injury- Considers the wider impact of self-injury on family and friends, and on staff- Addresses treatment strategies and self-help resourcesEach chapter draws on the authors' considerable clinical experience across a range of contexts, and is written with professionals and trainees particularly in mind. This book is an essential introduction and indispensable resource for those working, or considering to work, in counselling, therapeutic and health care settings where they are or might be confronted with the complexities of self-injury.

The many different therapeutic models in use today can lead to blind spots in clinical practice. This important and timely book gives a balanced synthesis, based on actual cases, evidence, practice and experience, to describe the process of psychotherapy and identify the fundamental elements that lead to good outcome across all its schools. In the course of developing a consistently reliable, effective, practical psychotherapy, Digby Tantam pinpoints four essential principles: addressing the person's concerns; taking into account their values and personal morality; recognizing the role of emotions; and binding it all into a narrative treatment for symptom relief, resolution of predicaments, release from addiction or sexual problems, and finding happiness through intimacy. This book is essential reading for psychiatrists or clinical psychologists looking for a straightforward framework for short-term psychotherapy and anyone working long-term with patients using a psychotherapy model.

This volume critiques and challenges the use and promotion of the disease model in psychiatry, arguing that its misconceived approach prevents the preferred disablement model from becoming the default method to understand mental health conditions, including schizophrenia. Featuring first-hand experiences as well as qualitative and quantitative findings, the book posits that mental illnesses are an expression of disablement, not disease, and that the alternative disablement approach (already being applied in the psychiatry of neurodevelopmental disorders but applicable to mental illness, too) allows for greater dignity and autonomy for the patient, collaboration between medical professionals, a replacement of categorical approaches with more appropriate dimensional ones, and a liberation from the restrictive idea of a ‘cure’. The initial chapters of the book summarize the now overwhelming evidence that the disease model is flawed, as is the simplistic materialism that psychiatry has built around the concept of the brain as a kind of standalone biological computer. The later chapters consider the currently existent alternatives to the disease model and put forward the evidence for a psychiatry based on the person, as described by the philosopher Heidegger among others.This volume will appeal to researchers, scholars, and postgraduate students in clinical psychiatry, mental health research, and psychotherapy. Psychologists and clinicians active in research or teaching in mental health will also benefit from this volume.

This volume critiques and challenges the use and promotion of the disease model in psychiatry, arguing that its misconceived approach prevents the preferred disablement model from becoming the default method to understand mental health conditions, including schizophrenia. Featuring first-hand experiences as well as qualitative and quantitative findings, the book posits that mental illnesses are an expression of disablement, not disease, and that the alternative disablement approach (already being applied in the psychiatry of neurodevelopmental disorders but applicable to mental illness, too) allows for greater dignity and autonomy for the patient, collaboration between medical professionals, a replacement of categorical approaches with more appropriate dimensional ones, and a liberation from the restrictive idea of a ‘cure’. The initial chapters of the book summarize the now overwhelming evidence that the disease model is flawed, as is the simplistic materialism that psychiatry has built around the concept of the brain as a kind of standalone biological computer. The later chapters consider the currently existent alternatives to the disease model and put forward the evidence for a psychiatry based on the person, as described by the philosopher Heidegger among others.This volume will appeal to researchers, scholars, and postgraduate students in clinical psychiatry, mental health research, and psychotherapy. Psychologists and clinicians active in research or teaching in mental health will also benefit from this volume.

An existential therapy handbook from those in the field, with its broad scope covering key texts, theories, practice, and researchThe Wiley World Handbook of Existential Therapy is a work representing the collaboration of existential psychotherapists, teachers, and researchers. It's a book to guide readers in understanding human life better through the exploration of aspects and applications of existential therapy. The book presents the therapy as a way for clients to explore their experiences and make the most of their lives. Its contributors offer an accurate and in-depth view of the field. An introduction of existential therapy is provided, along with a summary of its historical foundations. Chapters are organized into sections that cover: daseinsanalysis; existential-phenomenonological, -humanistic, and -integrative therapies; and existential group therapy. International developments in theory, practice and research are also examined.

Why do some people repeatedly injure themselves? How common is this form of self-harm? How can professionals offer appropriate intervention and support to those whose lives are troubled by it, either directly or indirectly? This authoritative and systematic book adopts a holistic approach to the problem of repeated self-injury and the difficult emotions and experiences that it gives rise to.Bringing together theory, research and a wealth of case vignettes, Understanding Repeated Self-Injury examines both the psychological and physical aspects of self-injury. The authors explain how deliberate cutting or burning of the skin is used by many as a way to overcome and temporarily escape bad feeling and thus transcend the limits of their identity.In particular, the book- Presents a unifying model for theory and practice, based on the phenomenology of self-injury- Examines the important role of identity and dissociation in perpetuating self-injury- Considers the wider impact of self-injury on family and friends, and on staff- Addresses treatment strategies and self-help resourcesEach chapter draws on the authors' considerable clinical experience across a range of contexts, and is written with professionals and trainees particularly in mind. This book is an essential introduction and indispensable resource for those working, or considering to work, in counselling, therapeutic and health care settings where they are or might be confronted with the complexities of self-injury.

Well-being is an important topic for many different professions. From health professionals to politicians, a number of fields seek to research, understand and promote wellbeing. As a concept at the heart of psychotherapeutic practice, it is essential that trainee and practising therapists understand the distinctive contribution to our understanding of well-being that each of these professions have made.

In this unique text, author Digby Tantam explores the philosophical, political, economical, psychological, medical and spiritual perspectives on well-being through a psychotherapeutic lens, explaining current research data and summarising findings. Theoretical approaches are balanced with an insight into their practical applications, showing therapists how each approach can inform their practice and make a real difference to the life satisfaction and health of their clients.

Well-being is an important topic for many different professions. From health professionals to politicians, a number of fields seek to research, understand and promote wellbeing. As a concept at the heart of psychotherapeutic practice, it is essential that trainee and practising therapists understand the distinctive contribution to our understanding of well-being that each of these professions have made.

In this unique text, author Digby Tantam explores the philosophical, political, economical, psychological, medical and spiritual perspectives on well-being through a psychotherapeutic lens, explaining current research data and summarising findings. Theoretical approaches are balanced with an insight into their practical applications, showing therapists how each approach can inform their practice and make a real difference to the life satisfaction and health of their clients.

Digby Tantam presents the ground-breaking theory of the interbrain, the idea that human beings are endlessly connected by a continuous interplay of non-verbal communication of which we are unaware. Considering social smiles and the way emotions can spread from one person to another, he explores the research that shows how our brains are linked and draws out the implications of the interbrain for our understanding of empathy, social communication, psychology and group behaviour.Exploring this often overlooked aspect of our human nature, Tantam demonstrates how the interbrain has huge significance for psychology, psychiatry and sociology and can transform our understanding of war, morality, terrorism, psychopathy and much more.

This professional text covers every aspect of Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD), from science to services, from the most disabling Kanner's syndrome to the most high-functioning Asperger syndrome, and from birth to old age. The book contains the latest research on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, intervention and support of individuals with ASD, and examines their implications at various stages of life. A wide range of neurological, genetic, psychological, developmental, social, and emotional issues are covered, and the author also includes less accessible information on the diagnosis and treatment of associated psychiatric and medical conditions, the overlap between the ASDs and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and the management of behavioural and forensic problems. The author does not presume existing technical knowledge and the background to new methods of assessment, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging, standardized clinical and psychological assessment, and genetic testing, is explained.This book will be an indispensable primary resource for paediatricians, psychiatrists, clinical and educational psychologists, specialist nurses, counsellors, psychotherapists, legal professionals and others working with individuals of all ages who are on the autism spectrum. It will also be of interest to any carers and people with an ASD who want to know about the up to date research into the causes and treatment of the disorder.

This professional text covers every aspect of Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD), from science to services, from the most disabling Kanner's syndrome to the most high-functioning Asperger syndrome, and from birth to old age. The book contains the latest research on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, intervention and support of individuals with ASD, and examines their implications at various stages of life. A wide range of neurological, genetic, psychological, developmental, social, and emotional issues are covered, and the author also includes less accessible information on the diagnosis and treatment of associated psychiatric and medical conditions, the overlap between the ASDs and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and the management of behavioural and forensic problems. The author does not presume existing technical knowledge and the background to new methods of assessment, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging, standardized clinical and psychological assessment, and genetic testing, is explained.This book will be an indispensable primary resource for paediatricians, psychiatrists, clinical and educational psychologists, specialist nurses, counsellors, psychotherapists, legal professionals and others working with individuals of all ages who are on the autism spectrum. It will also be of interest to any carers and people with an ASD who want to know about the up to date research into the causes and treatment of the disorder.

This book serves to remind us that in psychiatry the diagnosis, course, treatment and outcome of disorders rest heavily on the extraordinarily complex and sensitive relationship between doctor and patient. With its emphasis on narrative, meaning, the relationship between subjective experience and objective reality, [it] reasserts the primary truth of medicine, namely that establishing the true picture of health and disease requires the active participation of the patient at every stage. How are we to avoid losing sight of the person in the midst of bleeping machines and flickering computer screens? It is to the credit of the authors of this book that they have so sensibly and lucidly provided an answer.'- Anthony W. Clare, Professor of Psychiatry, St Patrick's Hospital, DublinIn order to treat their clients successfully, psychiatrists must be able to make the most complete and accurate assessment possible in each case. In this comprehensive book, the authors discuss the general principles behind psychiatric interviewing and assessment, then through the use of in-depth case histories combined with analysis, they demonstrate how those principles apply in a wide variety of contexts. They show how information is elicited from clients and used in forming assessments; how courses of action are decided upon; and how clients are re-assessed as cases change and develop over time. This is a book packed with practical information, presented in the context of narratives which demonstrate the real-life application of principles. It will be invaluable reading for students and practitioners of psychiatry and related disciplines.