This is an excellent book... long overdue... it provides ample food forthought and encourages discussion. I simply couldnt put it down. Theauthors... write pass... » 

This is an excellent book... long overdue... it provides ample food forthought and encourages discussion. I simply couldnt put it down. Theauthors... write passionately about the most basic human need touch and beingtouched as part of the overall healing process. Both authors draw on a wealthof professional experience in working with psychiatric inpatients severelytraumatised patients and sexually misued people to build the foundation oftheir views... the book encourages the reader to look into the dynamics of thetherapeutic process in a new light The Psychotherapy ReviewIs the bias against touch in psychotherapy justified? Is ethical touch anoxymoron? Can the recovery process be complete without healing touch? Mentalhealth professionals are entrusted with the awesome responsibility of providingappropriate treatment for clients in a safe environment that nurtures trust anecessary ingredient for optimum movement through the therapeutic process.Though treatment approaches vary most modalities are verbally based and intheory exclude physical contact. Fearing that any form of touch would likelylead to sexual feelings or interaction clinicians tend to shy away from thetopic. In this book however Mic Hunter and Jim Struve skilfully demonstratethat touch a most basic human need is intrinsic to the healing processalong with talktherapy regardless of the practitioners theoreticalorientation.While the use of touch is a given in other health care settings it remains abenefit denied as taboo in psychotherapeutic relationships due totransgressors whose unscrupulous use of a valuable technique have marred itsreputation. This book which is based on years of sound research and clinicalexperience encourages readers to conduct a meaningful selfreflection andexplore possible misconceptions related to touch in order to rejuvenate itsacceptance. «