Principles of Personality Counseling

Abstract

Reviews the book "Principles of Personality Counseling," by F. C. Thorne (see record 1951-02431-000 ). For the most part, this book represents a collection of the series of articles on counseling and psychotherapy published by Dr. Thorne over a number of years, mostly in the Journal of Clinical Psychology. In most cases the articles have been modified or combined to conform to the organization of the book. Here and there transitional and integrating discussions have been inserted. Thus, this work does not represent a new contribution to the literature, but does provide a more effective vantage point for an over-all view of Dr. Thorne's contributions. The author is long on discussions of practical problems, almost fanatical in expressing his devotion to science and eclecticism, but short in the theoretical coherence of his various concepts. This reviewer had the impression that it would be easy for readers to acquire a series of undigested somewhat contradictory ideas about counseling and other therapeutic phenomena as a consequence of the book's rampant eclecticism. On the other hand, discussions such as those of practical problems of professional responsibility (chapter 5) and of creating an effective counseling relationship (chapter 8) will prove useful to many beginning counselors. In summary, many parts of this book can provide useful supplementary reading for didactic courses in counseling. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)