The Origins of The Practice Ethos
Below is a brief summary of some of my greatest teachers. There are many more but it is a selection of key ones that orientate my thinking. You too may find help and knowledge in their works.
Irvin Yalom
Irvin Yalom had a profound impact on the way I see and practice psychotherapy. His work covering existential concepts gave me deep insights into understanding how both mental health issues and human flourishing are inextricably tied into how we deal with issues of mortality, identity, freedom, isolation and meaning. His books can be found on Amazon for those who want to learn more. I highly recommend that aspiring psychologist read his works
Gabor Mate
Gabor Mate is a medical doctor by background but he has written some influential books on understanding the link between mental health and physical health. His work into understanding addictions, ADHD and approaches to parenting have had a big impact on how I see the wider context of mental health treatment and the lives we embody. He too has various book available on Amazon and interviews on YouTube.
Jordan Peterson
Jordan Peterson is a Canadian Clinical Psychologist and some regard him as a controversial figure. Nevertheless, he is a strong advocate for a psychologically grounded conservative approach to the world that is rooted in well-established archetypal stories from the bible. His work with the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship encourages a vision for the future that is abundant and psychologically, culturally and socially sustaining. He also supports the concept of healthy masculinity and provides a focus on responsibility and adventure being at the heart of human meaning. He has several books worthy of reading and numerous interviews and lectures that can be viewed via YouTube. You can make up your own opinions of him. Freedom of thought and expression is central to his approach and are principles I wholeheartedly support
Edward Tyber
Edward Teyber is a lead author on a book called Interpersonal Processes In Therapy: An Integrative Model. This is also a book I encourage all psychologist to read because it lays out much of the foundations and interconnecting concepts that underpin all approaches to psychotherapy, whether they be CBT or Humanistic.
Centre For Clinical Interventions
The research and work coming out of the CCI was part of my foundational training in Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy. Their website has several manualised treatment for clients and practitioners to use. Although I predominantly use humanistic, existential and psychodynamic processes as I've matured and grown as a psychologist, the techniques outlined in these manuals still provide the bedrock of my clinical skills
Bessel van der Kolk
Van der Kolk's seminal book is "The Body Keep The Score". If anyone wants to understand trauma this is the book to read in my opinion. Intended for both clinicians and clients there is something for everyone in this book when trying to understand the impact of trauma at the time of events and in the time following the challenge of life.
Donald Huffman
Donald Huffman is a cognitive psychologist who has put forth a compelling hypothesis that the physical world around us might be better explained as an emergent property of our consciousness rather than being something that objectively exists as we think it does. The book to read is "The Case Against Reality". Such work is on the very fringe and limit of my understanding, but it can be useful to consider such concepts to imbue ones mind with a sense of wonder and awe about our existence. That humanity does not have all the answers no matter the area of expertise and sometimes our wellbeing can be best served by becoming open to new perspective on life and what it means to be human.
The Bible
For much of my life I have been a devout atheist, passionate about learning more about the mysteries of the human experience. In time I realised that it is unwise to dismiss what you don't know or understand. So with that in mind I journeyed into understanding the Bible. The collection of 66 book that make up the foundations of the Western World, was the inspiration for the British to end slavery, and when applied well, people have a greater tendency to flourish. This area of understanding is the newest in my clinical tool box of knowledge but other inspiring thinkers like Jordan Peterson have provided a compelling case as to why there is psychological wisdom in the Bible. I have no desire to convince anyone on how best to engage with or without faith, but I am a strong advocate in human flourishing and humans seem to flourish better when they have mastered not just the material and practical world but also have a healthy relationship to the metaphysical.