For a memoir of a person with a psychological problem or a published case, consider the strengths and weaknesses of the therapeutic approach used. Consider the following questions:

1. Briefly describe and summarize the client's context, worldview, and current symptoms and diagnosis(es).
2. Describe and summarize the treatment used.
3. How would you describe this therapist (warm/cool? directive/nondirective? insight-oriented/action-oriented? respectful/disrespectful? genuine? empathic?)
4. Did you like him or her? Why or why not? How does your reaction fit with your own personal style or worldview?
5. What are the therapist's goals in this book? How do these goals relate to the theory?
6. What specific examples of therapy-based interventions do you see? What does the client do in response to these? Was the intervention effective? How do you know?
7. How are the therapist's verbal and nonverbal listening skills? Were they effective with this particular client? How do you know?
8. Comment on whatever else you thought was particularly interesting.

In some cases there isn't enough information to analyze the therapy used -- or you just don't want to analyze this treatment! If this is the case, briefly describe the client's context, worldview, and current symptoms and diagnosis(es). Then, describe treatment from another point of view.

Page by jms
URL= http://psy1.clarion.edu/jms/cptevalbook.html

Last updated November 17, 2004