The Socratic Method of Psychotherapy

As the field of psychotherapy focuses more on treatment manuals and the regimented nature of clinical research, the practice risks losing the subtle nuances that guide the interactive fluidity of therapy sessions. Can clinicians combat this loss by incorporating ideals from ancient philosophy into contemporary psychotherapy? In The Socratic Method of Psychotherapy, James Overholser approaches cognitive therapy through the interactive dialogues of Socrates, aiming to reduce the gap between theory and practice. Clinicians and students will appreciate the flexibility and creativity that underlie effective psychotherapy sessions when guided by the Socratic method as an innovative approach to self-exploration.

“This is a stimulating, creative statement and guide for all manner of psychotherapists: psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and students . . . A must-read for clinicians at any stage in their training or career.”

As core strategic interventions in cognitive behavioral therapy, Socratic methods of dialogue and questioning are often neglected or poorly understood philosophically and historically. Overholser beautifully and clearly describes how valuable the Socratic method is for enhancing the therapeutic relationship. This is a must read volume for any mental health professional. -- Aaron T. Beck, University of Pennsylvania
I have long followed James Overholser's work on the use of the Socratic method in psychotherapy. I have always wondered why he had not written a book on the subject. Now he has and it is well worth the wait. It should be read, digested, and acted upon by all therapists. -- Windy Dryden, Goldsmiths University of London
Overholser provides foundational conceptual knowledge of Socratic methods, which is often missing in purely technical descriptions of the procedure. He artfully combines this theoretical material with very practical clinical guidelines for scaffolding Socratic dialogues. This is a complex, intricate subject presented in an extraordinarily accessible manner. -- Robert Friedberg, Palo Alto University
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James Overholser is professor of psychology at Case Western Reserve University. He is the coauthor of Evaluating and Treating Adolescent Suicide Attempters: From Research to Practice (2002) and Elder Suicide: Research, Theory, and Treatment (1994).

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