Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #27952 in Books
• Published on: 1989-03-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 195 pages

Customer Reviews

Entertaining account of development of skillful therapist
If I could only keep one reference book for my work as a psychotherapist and coach, this would probably be it.

Frank Farrelly started his career in a secure psychiatric hospital in USA. He became an enthusiastic student of Carl Rogers and embraced unconditional positive regard with gusto. Provocative Therapy is an account of how Frank developed his own powerful approach to psychotherapy from the mistakes and Freudian slips in applying the Rogerian approach.

Briefly stated: no two people can occupy the same 'ecological niche' - or as one of my early teachers said, "the definition of an optimist is someone with a depressed friend."

Therapists are often taught to emphasise the positive and find their clients fleeing to the negative end of the line and holding tightly to the most pessimistic view of their situation. Frank learnt how to espouse the negative or bizarre pole, in a bright and compassionate tone, so that clients moved inexorably towards positive change.

My summary can't do justice to it. It's not a set of techniques and Frank is a deeply compassionate and ethical human being. He wouldn't use this approach in all situations.

Read the book, it's a ripping yarn and great learning material for any aspiring therapist, counsellor or coach.

Even better, find a workshop and see the man in action - he's wonderful.

Truly excellent
I recently read this book prior to attending one of Frank's seminars that I then reviewed at my Human Alchemy website. Its a groundbreaking book, well written and full of humour and insights. Frank is clearly a major influence on Richard Bandler and is a true genius! If you are interested in developing your skills in communication or simply want a really good read, then check this out!

Superb insights
This is a rare recording of Frank Farrelly the creator of Provocative Therapy in action. This CD set gives a powerful insight into why Bandler and Grinder modellled Frank in creating the field of NLP. Frank conducts a series of interviews with clients demonstrating the provocative therapy approach. Its highly entertaining, funny and very effective.
Greatly recommended