This controversial book argues that 20th century psychotherapy has been fundamentally characterized by serious disagreement on views of human nature, treatment rationales and goals. Focusing on the differences rather than the commonalities in therapy, eight eminent practitioners demonstrate the diversities in therapies and why, for the most part, it is not possible to tolerate or integrate with other approaches.

`The book awakened me to understanding more about how a core belief or orientation can result in polarised attitudes towards the person. At the same time, in some cases, there is fundamental common ground which could potentially lead to genuine integration' - [ac]Eisteach, The Journal of the Irish Association for Counselling and Therapy

`Eight distinguished practitioners address twelve different questions, aimed at identifying the distinctive qualities of their own approach and demonstrating how it has been arrived at. The result is a book that will allow both experienced practitioners and trainees to become familiar with and compare the current thinking of these well-known people... the very passion of these opposing and sometimes exclusive convictions may be the well-spring for the efficacy and achievements of these eminent practitioners and trainers' - Self & Society

Each therapist highlights the distinctive properties of his or her orientation, and discusses questions such as: why and how they came to found, adapt or choose the approach they currently practise; what criticisms of the approach they consider to be valid; which approaches they consider to be ineffective, misleading or dangerous, and, conversely, more promising or effective; why their approach is more effective or comprehensive, and why it may be more suited to certain clients or client problems; and how they account for research which suggests that no one approach seems more effective than any other.