International Journal of Cultic Studies ■ Vol. 1, No. 1, 2010 91
Zimbardo well reviewed, plus three case
studies.)
14. Aging, by Head. As people age, their
vulnerability increases to mental,
emotional, spiritual, and physical
factors. A multidimensional and holistic
approach is therefore paramount in the
teaching and training of old age
psychiatrists.
Comments
Spirituality and Psychiatry makes a strong case
for expanding the medical model by integrating
religious and other related factors in the British
National Health System. Some contributors used
case histories skillfully and some relied on
evidence from quantitative and qualitative
research. They provided an impressive variety of
material useful to psychiatrists and collaborating
care givers, much of it relevant beyond the
United Kingdom. The emphasis by many of
these psychiatrists on a patient-centered
approach, coupled with Beck's cognitive
therapy, is commendable. The references at the
end of each chapter and the index are helpful.
Most contributors cite research, official reports,
and the observations of medical authorities.
As is true of many edited books, this volume
slips at times into redundancy. It fails to build an
integrated theme from one contribution to the
next. Authors tend to over-rely on secondary
rather than primary sources in presenting
research. Some draw more on psychiatric elders
such as Freud, Jung, and Frankl rather than on
contemporary theorists.
I was surprised that hypnotism was not
mentioned both as a destructive method of cult
covert social influence (cf. Hassan) and as a
constructive therapeutic intervention.
As mentioned previously, the meaning of
“spirituality” has expanded. I, for one, as a
skeptical psychologist, winced at the inclusion
of mysticism, New Age practices, and
transpersonal perspective, for example.
The intended primary audiences for Spirituality
and Psychiatry are British NHS psychiatrists,
other physicians, chaplains, and mental-health
specialists. However, I recommend it in whole
or in part to English-speaking mental-health
specialists around the world. Theologians will
also find it informative. Among members of the
International Cultic Studies Association,
psychiatrists, social workers, psychologists,
sociologists, lawyers, exit and pastoral
counselors, and other specialists will find it
valuable, especially when their travel plans
include Scotland, Wales, or England.
Zimbardo well reviewed, plus three case
studies.)
14. Aging, by Head. As people age, their
vulnerability increases to mental,
emotional, spiritual, and physical
factors. A multidimensional and holistic
approach is therefore paramount in the
teaching and training of old age
psychiatrists.
Comments
Spirituality and Psychiatry makes a strong case
for expanding the medical model by integrating
religious and other related factors in the British
National Health System. Some contributors used
case histories skillfully and some relied on
evidence from quantitative and qualitative
research. They provided an impressive variety of
material useful to psychiatrists and collaborating
care givers, much of it relevant beyond the
United Kingdom. The emphasis by many of
these psychiatrists on a patient-centered
approach, coupled with Beck's cognitive
therapy, is commendable. The references at the
end of each chapter and the index are helpful.
Most contributors cite research, official reports,
and the observations of medical authorities.
As is true of many edited books, this volume
slips at times into redundancy. It fails to build an
integrated theme from one contribution to the
next. Authors tend to over-rely on secondary
rather than primary sources in presenting
research. Some draw more on psychiatric elders
such as Freud, Jung, and Frankl rather than on
contemporary theorists.
I was surprised that hypnotism was not
mentioned both as a destructive method of cult
covert social influence (cf. Hassan) and as a
constructive therapeutic intervention.
As mentioned previously, the meaning of
“spirituality” has expanded. I, for one, as a
skeptical psychologist, winced at the inclusion
of mysticism, New Age practices, and
transpersonal perspective, for example.
The intended primary audiences for Spirituality
and Psychiatry are British NHS psychiatrists,
other physicians, chaplains, and mental-health
specialists. However, I recommend it in whole
or in part to English-speaking mental-health
specialists around the world. Theologians will
also find it informative. Among members of the
International Cultic Studies Association,
psychiatrists, social workers, psychologists,
sociologists, lawyers, exit and pastoral
counselors, and other specialists will find it
valuable, especially when their travel plans
include Scotland, Wales, or England.
