Forensic Psychotherapy

`The book's coverage of psychic processes and their effect on inner and outer world phenomena mark its importance for all who are involved with difficult patients or clients. It is the first major book on forensic psychotherapy marking a developmental milestone in this speciality. It is therefore a must for libraries and any institution or organization, which involves itself practically or academically with offender patients. It has immense personal appeal...written in a style that conveys respect and a sensitivity for the patient and their difficulties. The many areas incorporated in this book mean that there is always something, which resonates with the various wishes and expectations of the reader, whether they be theoretical or mainly practical. The ability of this text to intellectually stimulate and make emotional contact with the reader is only rivaled by its potential to impart knowledge'.

`A welcome reminder of how important the psychotherapeutic aspect is in the forensic-psychiatric patient's treatment during both hospital and outpatient treatment… Forensic Psychotherapy gives the basic knowledge to understand the offender's psychological traumas and their association with violent behavior… Having this book, the reader will be convinced that as a forensic psychiatry worker his goal is not only to minimize criminal behavior but also to maximize the offender's quality of life, irrespective of the type of crime committed. Forensic Psychotherapy provides the reader with an impressive array of information, and we recommend it to all interested professionals'.

`Taken together, these two volumes illustrate not only the breadth of forensic psychotherapy, but its interrelatedness to a very wide range of disciplines. … Libraries, even with modest budgets should endeavor to purchase these two admirable volumes'.

`These volumes have an `all you ever wanted to know about' feel to them. Cordess and Cox have attempted to be comprehensive and, on the whole, have succeeded. The first volume, entitled `Mainly Theory', provides a thorough introduction to psychotherapy in forensic setting, but would also be useful to professionals in general psychiatric settings - the strength of Forensic Psychotherapy is contained in its second volume, which focuses on the pragmatic aspects of using psychotherapeutic methods in clinical settings'..

In two very comprehensive, sound, and declarative volumes... Cordess and Cox... present lucidly and at times brilliantly the panorama of forensic psychology. The encyclopedic scope of the presentation of materials and vast viewpoints is almost breathtaking in its inclusiveness. Forensic Psychotherapy may be considered a seminal work. As editors, Cordess and Cox have produced two volumes of considerable excellence in forensic psychotherapy. In both volumes they present current and significant material of relevance to the field of forensic psychology from a wide range of disciplines, as well as all levels of professional experience. Forensic Psychotherapy, well edited by Christopher Cordess and Murray Cox, deserves wide acceptance by the psychological community for the breadth and scope of the volumes' contents, the insightfulness and creativity of a number of its contributors, the comprehensiveness of the varied and significant themes presented in the field of forensic psychology and psychotherapy, and the significant ideas and views incorporated in both volumes. I recommend the two-volume set for psychologists, researchers, therapists, criminologists, jurists, forensic practitioners, and college and university libraries for the significant information presented by the editors and contributors.

The two volumes of Forensic Psychotherapy constitute a monumental piece of work. The book inculcates a profound and disturbing curiosity to investigate the depths of destructiveness in human kind (and mind). The two volumes are the creative result of the emergent spirit of partnership between parties within the criminal justice system. The compendium will, I suspect, become a classic text in the training of forensic psychiatrists and, particularly, forensic psychotherapists. In my opinion, it is essential reading for the psychoanalytic and group-analytic practitioners who are directly involved in the rehabilitation of forensic patients. In view of its magnitude, different sections of the book will also become an important reference to different professionals, including clinicians, research scientists, philosophers, lawyers, criminologists, politicians and any other thinkers who wish honestly to explore our timeless struggle to know and be just to our human paradoxes.

This two volume work is probably the first of its kind. Both volumes are extremely readable. As a pair, they offer an outstanding contribution to the psychotherapy literature and - in particular - to the forensic therapy literature. These are... beautifully prepared books. As library copies... they are indispensable. The books are written and edited by experts and are bound to meet with every considerable success.

This nicely-boxed two-volume work is the product of a publisher who has done much to encourage forensic psychiatry. It is an achievement of excellence, and the theories and explanations that it expounds have a lasting quality... The editors are to be congratulated for achieving both balance and cohesion... to give you the whole story would be stealing others' thunder and you must read it for yourself. That is what psychotherapy is all about.

The book's coverage of psychic processes and their effect on inner and outer world phenomena mark its importance for all who are involved with difficult patients or clients. It is the first major book on forensic psychotherapy marking a developmental milestone in this speciality. It is therefore a must for libraries and any institution or organisation which involves itself practically or academically with offender patients. It has immense personal appeal...written in a style that conveys respect and a sensitivity for the patient and their difficulties. The many areas incorporated in this book mean that there is always something which resonates with the various wishes and expectations of the reader, whether they be theoretical or mainly practical. The ability of this text to intellectually stimulate and make emotional contact with the reader is only rivaled by its potential to impart knowledge.'