Abstract

This work contends that while mental health care is legitimate, many of its claims to scientific truth and authority are not. Written by a practising psychotherapist, it argues that rather than operating as an objective science, the mental health profession is composed of competing cultures built around false ideology and subjective belief. This book provides a general history of mental health care in Americam and then analyzes four major schools of therapy - psychoanalysis, behaviourism, cognitive therapy and biological psychiatry - discussing the historical significance, general principles and methods of treatment, world view values and scientific status of each. It concludes with the author's assessment of how best to view mental health care and use it wisely and effectively. An appendix offers an insight into choosing a therapist.