"Thoughtful, probing, and caring. . . Destined for distinction as one of the best books of the year."
--Janice G. Raymond
author of "Women as Wombs: Reproductive Technologies and the Battle Over Women's Freedom" and "A Passion for Friends"

""Changing Our Minds" is a brave, invigorating, and important book. . . essential reading for anyone in, or anyone who studies, the helping professions; it is even more essential for any woman in distress who wants 'help'."
--Phyllis Chesler, Ph.D.
author of "Women and Madness, About Men," and "Mothers on Trial: The Battle for Children and Custody"

"A wide-ranging, hard-hitting analysis of psychology and its dangers. "Changing Our Minds" should be compulsory reading for all psychologists and deserves a place on every feminist's bookshelf."
--Sue Wilkinson
editor of "Feminism & Psychology: An International Journal"

Women today are being instructed on how they can raise their self-esteem, love their inner child, survive their toxic families, overcome codependency, and experience a revolution from within. By holding up the ideal of a pure and happy inner core, psychotherapists refuse to acknowledge that a certain degree of unhappiness or dissatisfaction is a routine part of life and not necessarily a cause for therapy. Lesbians specifically are now guided to define themselves according to their frailties, inadequacies, and insecurities.

An incisive critique of contemporary feminist psychology and therapy, "Changing our Minds" argues not just that the current practice of psychology is flawed, but that the whole idea of psychology runs counter to many tenets of lesbian feminist politics. Recognizing that many lesbians dofeel unhappy and experience a range of problems that detract from their well-being, "Changing Our Minds" makes positive, prescriptive suggestions for non-psychological ways of understanding and dealing with emotional distress.

Written in a lively and engaging style, "Changing our Minds" is required reading for anyone who has ever been in therapy or is close to someone who has, and for lesbians, feminists, psychologists, psychotherapists, students of psychology and women's studies, and anyone with an interest in the development of lesbian feminist theory, ethics, and practice.

Although it is widely agreed that the experiences of service users have much to offer mental health professionals, the majority of books for this group focus on either conditions or different types of service provision (acute, community). This book is different. It takes as its starting point the lived experience of recovery which is the process whereby individuals can be helped to understand and come to terms with their illness. The role and actions of mental health professionals is explored as part of the process of recovery. The major part of the book will focus on ways in which direct care staff can assist people with mental health problems, reflecting the accounts of the nature and type of assistance which have been valuable, and the ways in which such help can best be offered. It addresses two key components of recovery accessand inclusion to life opportunities and acceptance. Each chapter of the book looks at an aspect of recovery and clearly shows how practitioners must accept the individuals needs and work with them towards this goalBased on users' experiences Focus on recovery as both a personal journey and goal and the basis for care and interventions Addresses key issues - access and social inclusion Practical guidance in implementing a new model of mental health practice.

"Thoughtful, probing, and caring. . . Destined for distinction as one of the best books of the year."
--Janice G. Raymond
author of "Women as Wombs: Reproductive Technologies and the Battle Over Women's Freedom" and "A Passion for Friends"

""Changing Our Minds" is a brave, invigorating, and important book. . . essential reading for anyone in, or anyone who studies, the helping professions; it is even more essential for any woman in distress who wants 'help'."
--Phyllis Chesler, Ph.D.
author of "Women and Madness, About Men," and "Mothers on Trial: The Battle for Children and Custody"

"A wide-ranging, hard-hitting analysis of psychology and its dangers. "Changing Our Minds" should be compulsory reading for all psychologists and deserves a place on every feminist's bookshelf."
--Sue Wilkinson
editor of "Feminism & Psychology: An International Journal"

Women today are being instructed on how they can raise their self-esteem, love their inner child, survive their toxic families, overcome codependency, and experience a revolution from within. By holding up the ideal of a pure and happy inner core, psychotherapists refuse to acknowledge that a certain degree of unhappiness or dissatisfaction is a routine part of life and not necessarily a cause for therapy. Lesbians specifically are now guided to define themselves according to their frailties, inadequacies, and insecurities.

An incisive critique of contemporary feminist psychology and therapy, "Changing our Minds" argues not just that the current practice of psychology is flawed, but that the whole idea of psychology runs counter to many tenets of lesbian feminist politics. Recognizing that many lesbians dofeel unhappy and experience a range of problems that detract from their well-being, "Changing Our Minds" makes positive, prescriptive suggestions for non-psychological ways of understanding and dealing with emotional distress.

Written in a lively and engaging style, "Changing our Minds" is required reading for anyone who has ever been in therapy or is close to someone who has, and for lesbians, feminists, psychologists, psychotherapists, students of psychology and women's studies, and anyone with an interest in the development of lesbian feminist theory, ethics, and practice.