This book reviews the extensive literature on early recollections and organizes various interpretive systems of evaluating early memories. The practitioner will find specific and detailed guidelines for administering and interpreting early recollections to help integrate these memories into counseling and psychotherapy. Following a carefully articulated contextual approach to early recollections, which synthesizes three perspectives - subjective, interpersonal and objective - come suggestions for using early recollections in the counseling process and a full-length case study to explicate the model and demonstrate the utility of using this approach.

Part I: Early Recollections: Introduction, Theoretical Perspectives, and Research1.Introduction of Early RecollectionsIntroductionAdvantages of Early Recollections in Counseling and PsychotherapyDisadvantages of Early Recollections in Counseling and PsychotherapyEarly Recollections in a Contextural and Developmental ModelEarly Recollections in a Case Illustration2. Theoretical Perspectives of Early MemoriesIntroductionAlfred Adler's Perspectives in Early MemoriesSigmund Freud's Perspectives on Early MemoriesRecovered Memories, False Memories, and Early Recollections3. Taxonomic Considerations and Personality Dimensions of Early MemoriesIntroductionTaxonomic InvestigationsPersonality DimensionsSummary4. Diagnostic Impressions of Early RecollectionsIntroductionClinical DisordersPersonality DisordersSummaryPart II: Early Recollections: Scoring Systems, Administration, and Interpretation5. Scoring Systems of Early RecollectionsIntroductionScoring SystemsContextural AssessmentSummary6. Administration of Early RecollectionsIntroductionGeneral Administration ProceduresSituational Administration ProceduresSummary7. Interpretation of Early RecollectionsSubjective, Interpersonal, and Objective PerspectivesOrganizing and Synthesizing Early Recollections PerspectivesSummary8. Training and Practice of Early RecollectionsIntroductionTraining in Early RecollectionsPractice Exercises in Early RecollectionsSummaryPart III: Early Recollections: Applications in Counseling and Psychotherapy9. Early Recollections in the Counseling ProcessIntroductionTheoretical ConsiderationsThe Counseling ProcessApplication Issues and Variations in the Use of Early RecollectionsSummary10. Early Recollections in the Counseling Process: A Case StudyThe Counseling ProcessReferencesAbout the AuthorIndex