In this inaugural episode of Book Club, join our host Dr Rick Yeatman and his invited guest, Dr Paul Cammel - both psychiatrists, as they discuss Rick’s selected book, ‘Persuasion and Healing’ (1961) by Jerome D. Frank. This seminal and highly acclaimed book is currently in its third edition - Rick and Paul share their initial responses to the book as new graduates; and their responses now, as colleagues who work together in emergency and post-emergency mental health.

Listeners will hear Rick and Paul as they unpack the meaning and rhetoric behind the key ideas, imagery, and approaches described in ‘Persuasion and Healing’ and how these have shaped broader understandings about the role of religious and secular systems of thought, the placebo effect, the importance of the qualities of the therapist, and the efficacy of different approaches to practicing psychotherapy.

Rick and Paul also share their opinions, reactions, and responses to Frank’s central arguments on the evolving place and value of psychotherapy on mental wellbeing and human behaviour in the 21st century. They identify the book’s resonating key messages and why they continue to find it a compelling introductory text to psychotherapy which has resonance and relevance to their current clinical work.

Stay tuned for the next episode of Book Club to hear Dr Mary Emeleus and Dr Chris Ryan as they explore the often-divisive topics of suicide prevention and suicide risk formulation through reflecting on Mary’s selected text – a journal article published in 2015.

Liked this episode? Join us again in episode 4 of Book Club, where our host, Dr John Cooper and his guest, Professor Mark Creamer revisit the conversation on psychotherapy and Jerome Frank by engaging with another work by Frank.

Visit www.mhpn.org.au/podcasts to access this episode’s host and guest bios, book summary, recommended materials, and a self-directed CPD form.

Share your comments, questions and feedback on Book Club with us here: https://bit.ly/39TEFnz

Reflections on Psychotherapy: Jerome Frank's 'Persuasion and Healing'