Crazy Therapies : What Are They? Do They Work?

Rating:
Summary: A useful and cautionary guide for patients
Review: Crazy Therapies surveys the disreputable world of therapy charlatans and wackos who base their methods on untenable theories and promote ideas that range from absurd to dangerous. The work is useful for anyone to read, though it is primarily directed at current or prospective patients. While an immediately appealing aspect of the book is its anecdotal recounting of the ridiculous (alien abduction, past-lives regression, the inner child), its competence and commendability lie in the practical guidelines it provides to those seeking therapy, in order to avoid harm and fraud at the hands of incompetent practitioners. An embarrassing but necessary review of the current state of psychotherapy. Sure to enrage.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Study
Review: Not just about alien abductions and satanic cults, this book helped me see that the "normal" therapy group I was in was a cult. The therapist I was involved with claimed that those of us in her "community" were healthier than average people and that the recovery she provided could not be found anywhere else in the world!

Singer also describes the dubious nature of some of the common practices in psychotherapy, like rebirthing, that are ineffective and also potentially dangerous.

Most importantly, Singer states that there needs to be an FDA type body to monitor all these people. The therapist that "treated" me belonged to the ACA which has been extremely professional in handling my complaints, but Singer's point is an excellent one.

Rating:
Summary: Much Truth, Yet MUCH Bias
Review: This is an important book. I'm glad it exists. As the other reviewers mentioned, it exposes that certain types of therapies can be inefectual or even extremely damaging. The calls for caution are well deserved. Sometimes therapy can do much more harm than good. The scenarios presented in this book were disturbing for me to read, and I would not want anyone else to fall victim to similar situations.

HOWEVER, this book is also extremely biased. The fact is that many of these therapies work, and some of them can be a lot more effective than traditional methods (although I strongly believe that all these methods should be used in conjunction WITH traditional psychotherapy).

Many of these therapies are only dangerous when in the hands of a therapist who is either ignorant, irresponsible, ill-informed, or just plain sadistic. A traditional psychotherapist who was equally incompetent or malicious may be just as dangerous to a client.

However, I suspect that certain types of therapies may attract corrupt therapists, thus increasing the likelihood that one will encounter a corrupt therapist when seeking help. For example, any type of therapy involving hypnosis, including past life therapy. Hypnotists have complete control over their subjects, and are in a position where they would be able to brainwash them. Therefore, this type of therapy may attract therapists who have a desire to have power over others, and to use this power irresponsibly.

And yet, in the hands of the right therapist, hypnosis can be an invaluable tool for obtaining insight and facilitating the healing process.

Similar statements could be made about any of the other types of therapies mentioned in this book, including traditional psychotherapy.

Moreover, there are various interpretations of, and sects within all types of therapies, whether Freudian talk-therapy, or bio-energetics. There is much debate between psychologists, even between those in the same genre of therapy. I noticed that the "experts" on the various forms of therapy sighted in the book gave interpretations that seemed to be very different from interpretations I've read in mainstream literature on the subjects. It seems as though they are fringe groups within their field who have a false or skewed interpretation of the therapy that they practice. Other practitioners in their field would no doubt be equally disturbed by the scenarios described in this book, and would be enraged at these fringe groups giving their respectable therapeutic philosophies such a bad name.

Overall, the authors failed to provide balanced evidence. There is plenty of literature out there in support of these therapies. I have read some of it, including: many case studies with positive results; sane and scientific explanations as to WHY these therapies are helpful; empirical studies supporting their benefit. Why did the authors fail to provide such evidence? Especially when the sub-title of this book suggests that there will be a balanced investigation as to whether or not these therapies work. (They should rename the book: Crazy Therapies: They Don't Work!)

I was disapointed in this book. I believe that the warnings of danger and message of caution in this book are crucial for consideration for those considering these therapies. HOWEVER, I am saddened by the bias message, which (for those who don't know any better) will likely turn people completely off from trying these types of therapies, many of which WORK! (my personal recomendation goes to EMDR or any type of Thought Field Therapy. Check out the book "Instant Emotional Healing.")