This Professor Has Made Choosing a Counselor or Psychotherapist Much Easier
Dr. Siang-Yang Tan was director of the PsyD (Doctor of Psychology) program in clinical psychology (1989–1997) and is now senior professor of psychology in the Graduate School of Psychology at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. Professor Tan has received many awards for his work in his field. His excellent book described in this article is one more indication of his expertise.
We live in troubled times, and many people feel they need the aid of a trained counselor or psychotherapist to help them deal with their problems. Choosing a counselor or psychotherapist can be a difficult and confusing process. Professor Tan’s book is the answer to a bewildering selection process.
Professor Tan has made the process of choosing a counselor or psychotherapist much easier. In his book, Professor Tan cites about 2,000 references of research studies regarding the effectiveness of the different therapies.
Each of the many different therapies has a different emphasis in the treatments used, and Professor Tan explains these treatments well. Among the types of therapies described in his book are:
1. Psychoanalytic Therapy
2. Adlerian Therapy
3. Jungian Therapy
4. Existential Therapy
5. Person-Centered Therapy
6. Gestalt Therapy
7. Reality Therapy
8. Behavioral Therapy
9. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
10. Rational Emotive Therapy
11. Marital and Family Therapy
12. Christian Therapy
After reading his book, prospective counselor or psychotherapist clients can gain a better idea of what type of therapy appeals to them. Then, it is easy enough to ask potential counselors or psychotherapists what type or types of therapy they emphasize. Also, if the treatment plan eventually seems not to be working well, the patient should stop therapy with that therapist and look for another one. Just because one counselor or therapy type is not helpful does not mean a people should give up on their quests to receive effective professional help.
I am awed by Professor Tan’s exhaustive review of Counseling and Psychotherapy approaches in general, and more specifically of Christian counseling. His book will be very helpful to many who are seeking effective professional therapy.
The name of Professor Tan’s book is “Counseling and Psychotherapy: A Christian Perspective.” It is for sale as a Kindle or hardcopy book at Amazon and at other bookstores.
