Book Review 401

Therapeutic Exercises for Kctimized and Neglected Girls: Applications for Individual, Family, and Group Psychotherapy. By Pearl Berman. Sarasota, FL Professional Resources Press, 1994, 178 pp. Soft cover. $28.20.

This is a book that gets right to the nitty-gritty of working with the population named in its title. Following an introduction and chapter ad- dressing issues for therapists, the remainder of the book is set up in groups of chapters or units, each of which applies to a treatment topic. The author clearly states in her introduction that the book‘s exercises are not meant to be all-inclusive, but to serve as a base to introduce difficult topics, to teach skills and to serve as a point of departure for more detailed discus- sions of issues relevant to this population. Units address topics of Assertive Communication and Problem Solving, Relationships with Parents and Peers, and Physical and Sexual Victimization. Each successive topic builds on the previous one, beginning with those likely to generate the least amount of stress and moving to those with more intense content.

A unit begins with an overview of all of the chapters contained therein, including possible obstacles and areas of potential sensitivity. Every chapter provides an exercise, a goal to be addressed, and general instructions for implementation of the exercise. Also included are specific instructions for use in individual, family or group therapy to customize the exercise to the appropriate modality.

Exercises are written at a level understandable to pre-teens and teen- agers. The topics are practical and real so that participants are encouraged to explore honest reactions to traumatic events. Enough structure is given to allow participants to tolerate discussion of difficult subject matter per- taining to their experience of abuse and/or neglect. Dr. Berman’s expertise is evident in both content and presentation.

The information contained in this book has direct application to the clinical setting. Therapeutic Exercises is unique in that it goes beyond theoIy to present a concrete tool for treatment which can be adapted to the client’s unique needs or the therapist’s treatment plan. Because of its content and clarity of presentation, it has appeal to therapists at all levels of experience. For the beginning therapist, here, at last, is a how-to-do-it guide upon which to build a treatment plan. The book can be used with little or no modifi- cation by the neophytes, yet the design of the exercises is such that the experienced clinician will also find it useful. The book ends with a repro- ducible booklet designed to be used with clients at the close of treatment both as a review and to address the feelings which accompany the termi- nation process. Clients will find it useful as a transition tool and as a guide

402 Book Review

for future problem solving. This booklet alone is worth the purchase price of the book.

Patricia Gibson Vienna, Virginia