Product Description: This book collates and analyzes the information currently available on social support as it impacts on mental health. The international team of contributors covers a whole range of perspectives on mental illness, from biological mechanisms to psychological and social theory...read more

Product Description: This state-of-the-art book examines the effect of social relationships on physical health. It surveys and assesses the research that shows not only that supportive relationships protect us from a multitude of mental health problems but also that the absence of supportive relationships increases the risk of dying from various diseases...read more (view table of contents, read Amazon.com's description)

"Psychological Investigations" lets readers listen in on one of the most exciting developments in psychology today as it is unfolding. With the current trend in therapy reflecting a movement away from traditional psychology and towards more postmodern psychologies, social therapy, a psychotherapeutic approach developed by Fred Newman, emerges as a qualitatively new way of doing therapy. Social therapy blends philosophy, the arts, and political concerns into a group approach that focuses on improved social functioning. "Psychological" "Investigations" provides insight into the revolutionary development of social therapy--an improvisational, investigatory, development-focused method of treatment. Featuring dialogues drawn from transcripts of teaching and supervisory sessions between Newman and therapists, the book presents a comprehensive guide to the core philosophical and political issues of social therapy and the social therapeutic group process. Instead of introspection and insight--traditional means to self-realization--Newman and social therapy encourages activity, involvement and commitment to causes larger than the individual ego.

Product Description: This volume is directed toward researchers and health professionals with an interest in the interstices of social networks and health. It consists of original papers that address critical themes in health-related social network research and disease prevention...read more (view table of contents, read Amazon.com's description)

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Product Description: Designed for clinical utility, this volume presents an effective approach to engaging addicted people in treatment and helping them maintain abstinence. Well adapted to an office treatment setting and to 12-Step participation, network therapy utilizes family and peer support in conjunction with individual treatment...read more (view table of contents, read Amazon.com's description)

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Product Description: Most mental health professionals are ill-prepared to help the alcoholic or drug abuser to recover, even though people with addictions regularly turn to them for help. Detoxification regimens, research approaches, and hospital programmes are available, but they do little to affect the day-by-day struggle...read more