Table of Contents

Introduction
Complementary medicine in context
Beliefs and explanations: Experimental and non-experimental psychology
Research and research methods in complementary and alternative medicine
Stress, appraisal, coping, moderators and stress management
Managing chronic illness
Conclusion

About the Author

Anna van Wersch is Professor of Psychology at the University of Teesside and directs the MSc in Health Psychology. Author of many research publications, she has been involved in health psychology training for a number of years through the BPS Division of Health Psychology Training and Admissions Committees. Mark Forshaw is a Principal Lecturer at Staffordshire University, a Chartered Health Psychologist, an expert on health psychology training, an established author, and he sits on the Registration Authority of the Science Council. He has specific departmental responsibilities for enterprise, and trains others how to conduct consultancy. Tina Cartwright is a Chartered Health Psychologist and Senior Lecturer at the University of Westminster. Her research focuses on people's perceptions of health and illness, experiences of conventional and complementary health care, and interventions to improve well-being.