Ecological psychotherapy

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This book introduces an innovative psychotherapy approach that incorporates an ecological dimension, emphasizing the relationship between individual capacities and environmental properties. Personal growth is fostered when individuals shape their environments into "personal niches," with development occurring through the interaction between the individual and this niche. Mental disorders hinder the ability to create these niches, while any impairment within the niche poses a risk to mental health. The text outlines the theoretical foundations of Ecological Psychotherapy and illustrates its clinical applications. Three key aspects are highlighted: 1. The ecological concept of supportive therapy, which aids patients in shaping their personal niches for psychological regulation. 2. Coevolutionary focal therapy, which recognizes that psychological decompensation often follows significant relational changes that necessitate developmental steps that may not have been taken. 3. Coevolutionary focus formulation, providing a framework for case conceptualization applicable in individual, couple, and family therapy. By integrating an ecological perspective, this approach offers new insights into patient understanding and is compatible with existing therapeutic methods. The author, Professor Jurg Willi, is renowned for his works on couples therapy and marriage counseling, with numerous publications in esteemed journals.