Editorial Reviews
Michael Stadter, PhD
Clinical Psychologist-in-Residence, Dept. of Psychology,
American University
Faculty, International Psychotherapy Institute
Faculty, Washington School of
Psychiatry
This book is a very welcome addition to the self-help literature. In a highly
readable, clear but not overly simplified style, Kate Scharff uses her
experience as a psychotherapist, a patient and a mother to help people find
their way through the mental health maze: whether to seek therapy, how to find a
good therapist, how therapy works, how to use it and how to afford it.
Especially helpful are Scharff’s many lists of insightful questions and pointers
(e.g., what to ask in the first session, what are the signs of a bad therapist,
how do you know you’re done).
Brian B. Doyle, MD
Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, and of Family and Community Medicine
Georgetown University School of Medicine Washington, DC
Many readers will profit by Kate Scharff’s book, Therapy Demystified. An
experienced social worker, Scharff provides an “insider’s guide.” She has
abundant practical suggestions: when to consider psychotherapy, how to find a
good match in a therapist, what to expect from treatment, and even how to end
it. She writes clearly and convincingly about different approaches to treatment.
She’s open about her preference for “psychodynamic” therapy, asserting that the
“feelings–oriented” approach is essential. Dealing directly with insurance and
with financial issues, Scharff notes that many patients earn more money as a
result of their life progress in therapy. For the cash-strapped, she notes that
high-quality treatment is available at low cost, through training institutes in
many cities. Chapters about the special needs and issues of children, and about
the who and where of community resources, provide more useful information.
Scharff’s book is a pleasure to read: straightforward, warm, and good-humored.
She is upbeat but not simplistic, assertive but not prejudiced. The qualities
she advocates in a good psychotherapist shine forth in her own prose.
Michael H. Silver, PhD, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor,
Department of
Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,
The George Washington University
Anyone even considering getting into therapy, concerned about a friend or
loved one who may need therapy, or being trained as a therapist in any mental
health discipline will find Therapy Demystified to be an invaluable resource. In
a time in which the mental health field can be confusing, intimidating, and
discouraging, Ms. Scharff has written a book that is easy to understand,
enjoyable to read, and filled with common sense. It offers a balanced overview
of virtually the entire field.
Jane Prelinger, MSW, LICSW, Clinical Director
Eugene Meyer III Treatment
Center,
Washington School of Psychiatry
Faculty, Washington School of Psychiatry
Kate Scharff’s excellent (and reassuring!) book offers much for the psychotherapy consumer. Whether you are seeking therapy for the first time, have had bad therapy experiences in the past, or just want assistance in finding effective and affordable help, this book is an invaluable resource.
Book Description
From an experienced clinician passionate about opening up therapy to everyone-an all-in-one, no-nonsense guide to the complex world of mental health. Therapy practiced well by the right professional is an effective way to sort out a wide range of troubles, but how do you know if it's right for you? In Therapy Demystified, Kate Scharff, an experienced clinical social worker and psychotherapist, decodes and destigmatizes psychotherapy for everyone who's ever considered it, proving that good, affordable help is available to those who want it. Among the key questions Scharff answers are: How do I know if I should see a therapist? What are the different kinds of therapy, and why should I care? Where can I find a therapist that I can afford? What should I expect (and ask) within the first few sessions? How can I tell if a therapist is right for me? How can I tell if therapy is working? Is there any truth to the bad things I've heard about therapy and therapists? What should I do if my child another other loved one needs therapy? Therapy Demystified empowers everyone to become an educated therapy consumer. If you've ever considered therapy but felt skeptical or confused, or if you are currently receiving therapy but aren't sure if you're getting the most out of it-this book is for you.
About the Author
KATE SCHARFF, MSW, is a licensed clinical social worker who has been practicing psychotherapy for fifteen years. She is the founder and director of Washington Services for Relationships in Transition, which offers clinical services to families going through high-conflict divorces. She is also co-chair of the Washington, D.C., satellite of the International Psychotherapy Institute, and runs a private therapy practice for individuals, couples, and families. The daughter of internationally known and published psychoanalyst David Scharff, she lives in Bethesda, Maryland.