Preface

In the modern world in which human life is becoming more complicated and diverse, the demand for counseling and psychotherapy is growing. Rapid developments in both academic and institutional aspects of the field are occurring worldwide.

This volume presents some examples of recent advances in theories and practices of psychotherapy.

Section 1, "Theoretical Innovations," includes three chapters that address theoretical aspects of psychotherapy. Chapter 1, "A Plea for Mixed Methods Research in the Field of Counseling", highlights the need for mixed methods research in mental health counseling. The author presents and discusses three projects in this area. Chapter 2, "True Happiness as a Shortcut to Mental Health: A New Theory of Psychopathology and Psychotherapy Based on Aristotle's Ethics and Evolutionary Science", presents a novel theory founded on a conceptual synthesis of the classical ethics of Aristotle and contemporary views of evolutionary psychology. Chapter 3, "General Three-Component Structural-Dynamic Theory of Psychotherapy and Its Implementation in Method of Positive-Dialog Psychotherapy", presents a new comprehensive theory based on an analysis of archaic therapeutic systems and historical/cultural aspects of psychotherapy and its clinical application.

Section 2, "New Attempts of Practice," includes three chapters describing practical attempts with various ideas. Chapter 4, "Including Religion in Rational-Emotive Behavior Counseling", explains the resemblance between rational emotive behavior therapy and traditional religious doctrines and exemplifies its usefulness by presenting a case of borderline personality disorder with religious inclination. Chapter 5, "Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction as a Culturally Relevant Treatment for Racial or Ethnic Minorities", reappraises mindfulness-based stress reduction from the viewpoint of adaptability and accessibility for people of racial and ethnic minorities. Chapter 6, "Psychotherapy in Nature: Exploring an Alternative Psychotherapeutic Framework to Address the Limitations of Working in Traditional Settings in Order to Move with the Times", describes the limitations of traditional psychotherapy, which usually takes place in an office or clinic, and proposes psychotherapy in outdoor settings as an alternative.

Section 3, "Practices under the COVID-19 Pandemic", includes two chapters, both dealing with psychological practices in African states under the current pandemic of COVID-19. Chapter 7, "A Scoping Analysis of the Psychosocial and Health Implications of Covid-19 Comorbidity-Related Complications in the African States: Recent Developments in Counseling and Therapeutic Options", presents and analyzes mental health problems of people living in African states under the pandemic and proposes effective psychological policies. Chapter 8, "Volunteer Counseling Services in the Context of COVID-19: Compromises and Challenges", reports the actual status of volunteer counseling services in African states amidst the pandemic, exemplifying some narratives of clients and therapists.

The editor believes that these chapters will provide readers with fresh ideas and instructive references for the theorization and practice of counseling and psychotherapy.

> **Kenjiro Fukao, M.D., Ph.D.** Tezukayama Gakuin University, Osaka, Japan
