Sociological therapy and diagnosis

Why has sociology not been more clearly used as a therapeutic foundation? Sociology has long taught us to see the personal as social. At the same time, questions of suffering, meaning, life problems and change have largely been left to psychology, psychotherapy and psychiatry. This book asks what happens if sociology does not merely analyse peoples conditions from a distance, but also develops practices to help people understand and change their lives in relation to the social world in which they are embedded.

Sociological Therapy and Diagnosis reconsiders sociotherapy as both a research programme and a practice. The book is an extension of related work in sociology, clinical sociology, social psychiatry, medical sociology, critical psychology, mad studies, critical social work, and sociological analyses of psychology, psychiatry and psychotherapy. Where much of sociology has criticised therapeutic practices, this book attempts to take the next step: to formulate a more coherent sociological research programme for analysis, diagnosis, exercise, socio-education and change work, supported by sociological rules of thumb for the good life.

At the centre is the proposal for an integrative socioanalysis that understands peoples difficulties as socially formed, socially reinforced and socially possible to change. Sociological diagnoses are not treated as fixed labels, but as heuristic formulations intended to support the good life. The book is both a critique of the dominance of psychologisation and a constructive attempt to formulate a sociology that does not only reveal what is hidden, but also helps people live, act and change. It can be read by those interested in sociology, those interested in society, and anyone who wants to explore how sociology can support the search for the good life. The book may serve as a foundation for increasing care for others and ourselves through sociological wisdom.