NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

7/20/99

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES - Personal counseling can be very beneficial for patients but it can be tough on those who care about them. And in most cases, the therapist can do little to assist a friend or family member wondering what the therapy process is about due to the laws of confidentiality.

A new book co-authored by Dr. Patrice Moulton, acting head of the Department of Psychology at Northwestern State University, is designed to help family members and friends understand therapy. The book, "Outside Looking In," was written with Dr. Lynn Harper of Hattiesburg, Miss.

Moulton will have a book signing in Natchitoches August 27 from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. at The Book Merchant located at 512 Front St.

"This book is for anyone that loves someone who has gone into therapy," said Moulton. "The friend or family member may have mixed emotions about the person they love entering therapy."

Moulton says the therapist-client privilege prevents a therapist from providing a family member or friend with specific information on a patient that could explain what is occurring during therapy.

"It can be very hard for the family and they often wonder why the therapist cannot discuss the situation," said Moulton. "We try to offer a number of positive guidelines to help friends and family take care of themselves."

According to Moulton, the book is aimed at professionals who can provide it to those who are concerned about family and friends and laypeople who want to learn more about therapy.

Moulton and Harper developed and wrote the book over the past four years while Moulton was in private practice in New York and Harper was in practice in Hattiesburg. While talking they realized a common problem involving those close to their cients.

"We could only talk very generally and that wasn't very helpful," said Moulton. "We started looking around for a book that could help family members and there wasn't one available so we decided to write one."

The book details the stages of therapy and what family members can do during these periods.

"Family members can cope more effectively if they have an understanding of what is taking place," said Moulton. "They are motivated to help and hopefully this book can provide some guidance."

The book will soon be available at area bookstores.

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