Psychotherapy, TA & NLP Books

Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy

Gerald Corey

Amazon Price: $74.11 List Price: $106.95 Usually ships in 10 to 13 days By: Brooks Cole Amazon Marketplace: 45 new & used starting at $74.11

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Psychology & Counseling -> Counseling -> General
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Psychology & Counseling -> General
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Psychology & Counseling -> Psychotherapy, TA & NLP

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

very good 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RELJ6OYABGE0J I am taking the second semester of this class right now.
I had this book for the first semester. One will
have to do a lot of reading but the book does a
good job explaining concepts. The CD that
comes with the book is awesome for testing
your knowledge. If I may suggest something that
has helped my studies greatly, a little book called
Don't Like to Read, Then Don't, Listen!: How to
Turn Any Type of Text Into Audio Files That Can
Be Read to You!. I know that many students out
there are like me and would rather listen to
material than have to read it themselves. I use
programs like the one that is reading this review
to have my texts read to me. This is a god send
for me. One can get this title on amazon.

Editorial Review:

Develop your own counseling style using Corey's bestselling THEORY AND PRACTICE OF COUNSELING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY. You will see the major theories of counseling (psychoanalytic, Adlerian, existential, person-centered, Gestalt, reality, behavior, cognitive-behavior, family systems, feminist and, and postmodern approaches) as they are used in practice through a case study focused on one client, "Stan." The case of "Stan" appears in each chapter so you can see how the theory presented in that chapter informs therapeutic decision-making. The new "Theory in Practice: The Case of Stan" DVD is an extension of the text. "At a Glance" charts pinpoint the major differences between theories in areas such as multicultural focus, basic philosophies, and limitations.

The Feeling Good Handbook

David D. Burns

Amazon Price: $19.60 List Price: $25.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Plume Amazon Marketplace: 117 new & used starting at $7.44

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Self-Help -> General
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Self-Help -> Personal Transformation
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Self-Help -> Success

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 85 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A Critical Analysis of the Feeling Good Handbook 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 7 people found this review helpful.

Abstract

The following study investigates the text, The Feeling Good Handbook, by David Burns. Specifically addressed are issues regarding the cognitive-behavioral model of twisted thinking, moral relativism, and the denial of objective truth. It was found that the text provides an inadequate definition and application regarding moral and objective truth issues. Recommendations for revision of the model are included.


A Critical Analysis of the Feeling Good
Handbook: Its Usefulness in Counseling Practice

In addition to the popular text Feeling Good, which became a national bestseller, and The Therapists Toolkit, a resource developed for mental health practitioners, David Burns released The Feeling Good Handbook, a 729-page (including index) guide to cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques. Semantically speaking, the text is well written, in simple (approximately 8th grade level) English, and is specifically marketed as a self-help text, though its usefulness for counselors is evident in that throughout the text the reader is often asked to assume the roll of the counselor, and after Burns describes a therapeutic technique, the reader is asked in a presented milieu, to implement that technique (for example, responding to a hypothetical client in a vignette empathetically).

In beginning to review this text, it is noticed a review can be accomplished in two ways. One, the text can be analyzed in respect to how it communicates the points it attempts to make (presentation), how it facilitates the ability in the reader to implement what is learned into his/her life or practice (application), and it can be reviewed in regards to how accurately the book delivers the ideas of cognitive therapy, mood therapy, empathetic response, etc. In all these aspects the book veers well--quite well--for even Albert Ellis (who holds a reputation of not being impressed with others' therapeutic approaches) critiques the text as "Clear, systematic, forceful."

The second approach to analyzing the text, the approach that will be taken, involves an investigation of one can trust as a suitable methodology the tenets from which the text is written, the tenets of cognitive therapy. It will address where the tactics disclosed by Burns are believed to be useful, and when it is hypothesized they would falter in a counseling practice.
Understanding Your Moods

Burns begins discussing moods by stating the fallacy clients often share, which is "I just can't help the way I feel" (Burns, 1999, p. 3). He then states a grounding premise of cognitive behavioral theory, which is that one's thoughts create moods. Quoting Ellis, the acronym A + B = C is stated. In this formula, A is the presenting event, B is the thoughts of the client, and C is the way the client feels. This formula is to show As do not create Cs--that is, what happens to a person does not effect that person's mood. The thoughts the person maintains affect the person's mood.

However, in reading the text, it is found that the true formula used in the text is not A + B = C, it is B = C, A = 0. The point being, the book extremely minimizes the effect of A. A, in essence, is described as a force that is prone to trying to manipulate one's B to produce unpleasant C's, but is in itself generally insignificant. More clearly, the situations, trials, relationships, and anything else external a person confronts merely challenges a person's thoughts. If the thoughts can be changed, or maintained as healthy thoughts, the person will always report a pleasant mood (C).

According to Burns, "sadness and depression result from thoughts of loss," "Anxiety and panic result from thoughts of danger," and "Guilt results from the thought that you are bad" (Burns, 1999, p. 5). To Dr. David Burns' credit he does state the following, which he titles a disclaimer: that there are times when negative feelings are appropriate and healthy, and that "learning when to accept these feelings and how to cope with a realistically negative situation is just as important as learning how to rid yourself of distorted thoughts and feelings" (p. 7). The reader must ask him/herself at this point, if Dr. Burns believes this amazingly astute point (i.e. equal importance), why then is only one line spent addressing that As are relevant, while 728.5 pages are spent denying their relevance?
False Sincerity of the Empathetic Response

A rebuttal to the statement that Burns' methodology denies all relevance of coping with a negative situation would probably include the premise that such is accomplished with the use of the empathetic response. The problem with this premise however, is the use of the empathetic response validates nothing. The therapist agrees to none of the truth that the client speaks. The empathetic response simply makes the client aware that the counselor is aware of his/her hurtful thinking.

Reading the text a reader might be perplexed with the question, when is there objective truth in thinking? More specifically, can not hurtful thinking (i.e. I have been a terrible father) be accurate? And if it is accurate, who is to say disposing of this accurate--though hurtful thought--is in essence better for the client than allowing the client to maintain this thought until the client changes his/her behavior so that the client can display another more healthy, and accurate, thought, (i.e. I am no longer a terrible father). However, by Burns' model, the man who states he is a terrible father, even if it is true (by all ability to quantify what a terrible father is), will be handled in the following way.

One, the client would be empathized with: "You are telling me that you are not a very good father, and you are clearly upset with that." Two, the counselor might disclose an "I feel" statement: "I would definitely not want to feel like I was a terrible father. That must be a horrible feeling." Three, it would be suggested to the client that he has twisted thinking which include "Should Statements" (You are wrongly telling yourself you should not be a terrible father), "Labeling" (there is no such thing as a terrible father, just persons who act the roll sometimes), "All-or-Nothing thinking" (surely you have done something that was not terrible--for example you are in therapy), "Overgeneralization" (Being a terrible father is a general simplification. Burns states "there are no Jerks in America" only persons who act like jerks from time to time), "Mental Filter" (you are pretty upset over this whole fatherhood thing. Lets think on things you're not terrible at), and the list goes on.

Burns' model provides no basis for determining what is "twisted thinking" and what is thinking that is the downright painful truth. He states, there are no Jerks in America--just those that act like Jerks. But if a "jerk" does not exist, then from what basis can one state an action as jerk-like? Furthermore, in the 700 plus pages of text on how to handle clients, not once does Burns confront a client because his/her thinking was pleasant but skewed. Therefore, it is a safe conclusion that--though Burns may briefly claim otherwise--to Burns pleasant thinking is correct thinking.

This is further evidenced in text when Burns addresses confrontation. Choices of words include "it was unpleasant when" or "I felt uncomfortable when" (Burns, 1999, p. 156). Both are notoriously relative remarks. There is no claim to objective truth; there is no "what you did was wrong," or "I was treated unjustly." Such relativism can be no more apparent than in the following excerpt:
You may have difficulty with this idea [that there is not use for shoulds]. You may insist that there's nothing wrong with using the word "should." You may think that it's your duty to clean your desk or to study hard. You may feel it is something you should do!

There are actually [only] three valid uses of the word "should" in the English language. One is the "moral should." You "should" not intentionally take advantage of someone, because this violates your moral code. The second is the "legal should." You should not drive at 90mph because it is dangerous and you'll probably get a ticket. The third is the "laws of the universe should." Things "should" happen because the forces of nature make them happen. For example, if you drop a pen, it "should" fall because of the force of gravity (p. 179).

The enormity of the errors in the thinking above is staggering. First, the only two claims of truth presented above are (one) that it is wrong believe one ought to believe there are moral shoulds or shoulds caused by one's duty, and (two) that the English dictionary agrees with David Burns. Both claims are false.

It is very possible that someone could have a duty to study. A physician being paid to study the effects of a rare disease infecting his/her patient, for example, is an explicit instance when there is a definite "should" due to duty. One would concur that the situation would not have to be so dire (matter of life and death) to still constitute a legitimate should. Though Burns--in the quote above--states that one "feels" shoulds, and does not know them or objectively understand them (lines 3-4).

Next, Burns' first definition of a true should is logically meaningless, in that he states it is truth that one should not take advantage of someone (a valid should) because it violates the person's moral code. Therefore, Burns is saying, as long as one is not violating their own relative moral code, he/she can take advantage of anyone and not be violating a "should." Burns' second definition, regarding the legal should, is quite depraved in that he states speeding violates a legal should (true) because one could hurt him/herself or get a ticket. In reality, Burns is not addressing a legal should at all for legally the should would remain constant whether on not the violator injures him/herself, or receives a ticket for the violation. What Burns is really stating in his example is the claim that one should not partake of behavior that may cause As that could instigate unpleasant Bs.

Lastly, Burns demotes the laws of physics, to the shoulds of physics! If one drops a pen according to Burns, it should hit the floor. According to the law of gravity however, if one drops a pen, it will hit the floor.
Discussion

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is effective. Burns does a fantastic job of describing how to implement cognitive principles into one's personal life, even into one's counseling practice. The ideas are useful for healing. However, the theory is weak in that it does not provide the practitioner, nor the client, correct direction regarding what is twisted thinking, and what is true--though painful--thinking.

Final Note: Telephone and Online Counseling may be a good way to provide quick and effective care to clients. Learn to provide Telephone and Online Counseling with this very well done book: The Therapist's Clinical Guide to Online Counseling and Telephone Counseling: The Definitive Training Guide for Clinical Practice

Editorial Review:

With his phenomenally successful Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy, Dr. David Burns introduced a groundbreaking, drug-free treatment for depression. Now in this long-awaited sequel, he reveals powerful new techniques and provides step-by-step exercises that help you cope with the full range of everyday problems.

* Free from fears, phobias, and panic attacks
* Overcome self-defeating attitudes
* Discover the five secrets of intimate communication
* Put an end to marital conflict
* Conquer procrastination and unleash your potential for success

With an up-to-date section on everything you need to know about commonly prescribed psychiatric drugs and anxiety disorders such as agoraphobia and obsessive-compulsive disorder, this remarkable guide can show you how to feel good about yourself and the people you care about. You will discover that life can be an exhilarating experience.

Motivational Interviewing, Second Edition: Preparing People for Change

William R. Miller, Stephen Rollnick

Amazon Price: $33.95 List Price: $49.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: The Guilford Press Amazon Marketplace: 51 new & used starting at $30.18

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Recovery -> Substance Abuse
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Relationships -> Interpersonal Relations
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Mental Health -> Compulsive Behavior

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 16 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Extremely fast shipping 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Received book two days after I ordered it. Book was plastic-wrapped and in excellent condition. Would definitely buy from here again; this was a great buying experience.

Editorial Review:

Since the initial publication of this breakthrough work, motivational interviewing (MI) has been used by countless clinicians. Theory and methods have evolved apace, reflecting new knowledge on the process of behavior change, a growing body of outcome research, and the development of new applications within and beyond the addictions field. Extensively rewritten, this revised and expanded second edition now brings MI practitioners and trainees fully up to date. William R. Miller and Stephen Rollnick explain how to work through ambivalence to facilitate change, present detailed guidelines for using their approach, and reflect on the process of learning MI. Chapters contributed by other leading experts then address such special topics as MI and the stages-of-change model, applications in medical, public health, and criminal justice settings, and using the approach with groups, couples, and adolescents.

Cognitive Therapy: Basics and Beyond

Judith S. Beck

Amazon Price: $33.95 List Price: $49.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: The Guilford Press Amazon Marketplace: 47 new & used starting at $33.95

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Psychology & Counseling -> General
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Psychology & Counseling -> Psychotherapy, TA & NLP
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Psychology & Counseling -> Cognitive

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 27 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Since its development in the 1960s as a structured, short-term psychotherapy for depression, cognitive therapy has come of age. Today the approach is successfully applied in the treatment of a broad range of psychological disorders, an evolution reflected in the myriad titles now available. Regardless of the disorder, all these applications are based on core, underlying principles, which are clearly articulated in this volume. Providing readers with a solid foundation for practice, Cognitive Therapy: Basics and Beyond delineates the fundamental building blocks of cognitive conceptualization and treatment.

Written in a clear, step-by-step style, this text helps therapists sharpen their conceptualization skills, plan more effective treatment, expand their repertoire of techniques, and trouble-shoot difficulties. Throughout the volume, the author offers clinical examples and transcripts drawn from one patient's treatment to illuminate the narrative and illustrate cognitive therapy in action.

Introductory chapters describe how to conceptualize clients according to the cognitive model, plan and conduct the first session, identify initial problems and goals, and structure therapy within and across sessions. Then the basic steps for conducting cognitive therapy are presented, with specific instruction on how to identify, evaluate, and respond to a client's automatic thoughts. Effective strategies for modifying underlying assumptions and core beliefs are also explicated.

Methods for increasing homework compliance, preparing for termination, and preventing relapse are laid out. Even experienced cognitive therapists will find new strategies and insights in chapters on planning treatment, diagnosing problems, using imagery, and bringing about behavioral change.

In addition to numerous practical suggestions, this volume features a variety of sample patient worksheets and appendices that detail resource materials and reading lists for both the practitioner and the client. A final chapter offers guidance in progressing as a cognitive therapist.

An important resource for any therapist's shelf, Cognitive Therapy: Basics and Beyond is necessary reading for the practitioner or student new to cognitive therapy who wants to learn about this tested approach, and for the clinician already practicing cognitive therapy who wants to learn the cutting-edge strategies of conceptualization and treatment.

Current Psychotherapies

Raymond J. Corsini, Danny Wedding

Amazon Price: $83.81 List Price: $120.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Brooks Cole Amazon Marketplace: 64 new & used starting at $76.50

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Psychology & Counseling -> Counseling -> General
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Psychology & Counseling -> General
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Psychology & Counseling -> Psychoanalysis

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

A disappointment, but good for masters students 2 out of 5 stars.
8 of 12 people found this review helpful.

I am taking a masters course that reviews the major theories of counseling, and this is the one and only book required for that course. I have the 7th edition, but he 8th is very similar. I am sorry to report that this book, while a good starting point for a master's student who is required to do outside research for papers, etc., is poorly and unevenly written and rarely does justice to the topic being presented. In particular, most of my fellow students thought the presentation of Gestalt therapy and Jung's analytical psychology were very poorly presented and did not give the reader an understanding of how these psychotherapies actually worked. A few others thought the chapter on Adlerian psychotherapy was fairly bad, although I don't think the theory itself is particularly intersting so who cares (my opinion, obviously).

I thought the chapter on Person-centered therapy was good, but this is not surprising as most American therapists prefer Rogers so it is unlikely to be given short shrift.

In general, I would NOT recommend this book unless you are a) a master's student and will be doing further research on these therapies, or 2) you are an intelligent layperson who is interested in a single book that presents all the major therapies and is willing to overlook a fairly bad explanation in roughly 50% of the chapters. I realize that people are interested in self-helping themselves and learning about how to make themselves feel better without resorting to therapy. But really, if you are depressed, neurotic, or just plain miserable, you would be better off seeing a therapist, even for just 6 to 8 weeks, than trying to slog your way thru this dreadful and dry and unrealistic book on the descriptions of various psychotherapies.

If you are at all academic, intelligent, artistic, or introverted, I strongly recommend Jung's Man and His Symbols instead. It will send you on the humanistic path to personal individuation, which is a wholly unexpected personal journey that only YOU can complete. Jung can give you the clues you need to make your life a happy one. On the other hand, this book is just a poor cook book for hapless students who are forced to read it.

Editorial Review:

Used in top counseling, psychology, and social work programs, CURRENT PSYCHOTHERAPIES is the ideal resource to not only help you excel in the course, but also to learn, compare, and apply the major systems of psychotherapy in a way that will be meaningful in your own practice. Each contributor is either an originator or a leading proponent of one of the systems, and each presents the basic principles of the system in a clear and straightforward manner, discussing it in the context of the other systems. Theory chapters include a case example that guides you through the problem, evaluation, treatment, and follow-up process. Accompanying CURRENT PSYCHOTHERAPIES is CASE STUDIES IN PSYCHOTHERAPY, each case demonstrates the basic techniques and methods of the theory being illustrated. This edition retains classic case studies by Harold Mosak, Carl Rogers, Albert Ellis, Arnold Lazarus, and Peggy Papp.

The Complete Adult Psychotherapy Treatment Planner (Practice Planners)

Arthur E., Jr. Jongsma, L. Mark Peterson

Amazon Price: $46.30 List Price: $55.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Wiley Amazon Marketplace: 61 new & used starting at $28.95

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Psychology & Counseling -> General
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Psychology & Counseling -> Psychotherapy, TA & NLP
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Mental Health -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 17 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

The Complete Adult Psychotherapy Treatment Planner, Fourth Edition provides all the elements necessary to quickly and easily develop formal treatment plans that satisfy the demands of HMOs, managed care companies, third-party payors, and state and federal agencies.

New edition features:

• Empirically supported, evidence-based treatment interventions
• Organized around 43 main presenting problems, including anger management, chemical dependence, depression, financial stress, low self-esteem, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• Over 1,000 prewritten treatment goals, objectives, and interventions - plus space to record your own treatment plan options
• Easy-to-use reference format helps locate treatment plan components by behavioral problem
• Designed to correspond with the The Adult Psychotherapy Progress Notes Planner, Third Edition and the Adult Psychotherapy Homework Planner, Second Edition

Includes a sample treatment plan that conforms to the requirements of most third-party payors and accrediting agencies (including CARF, JCAHO, and NCQA).

The Gift of Therapy: An Open Letter to a New Generation of Therapists and Their Patients

Irvin Yalom

Amazon Price: $11.16 List Price: $13.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Harper Perennial Amazon Marketplace: 54 new & used starting at $5.96

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Psychology & Counseling -> Education & Training
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Psychology & Counseling -> General
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Psychology & Counseling -> Psychotherapy, TA & NLP

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 36 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Speaking directly to the current generation of counselors, The Gift of Therapy lays out simple suggestions that blend personal experience with professional objectivity. This is a book that will remind you why you entered the field in the first place. With tips on avoiding diagnosis (except for insurance purposes), when to disclose personal information, and why it's important to leave time between patient appointments, the recommendations are aimed at therapists, but they may be useful to patients who want to know what to expect from their counselors. Some references to the DSM-IV may be a little over the layperson's head, but in general the writing is clear and understandable for lay readers as well as professionals.

Each chapter is just a few pages long, a nice format for busy folks whose reading time occurs in snippets. A single topic is addressed in each chapter, and author Irvin Yalom doesn't waste any time in getting to the point. Many of the sections revolve around balancing the "magic, mystery, and authority" that come with the job of freeing your clients of their reliance on you.

From when to offer an occasional hug to finding the perfect time for deeper questioning, Yalom's experienced observations will help you achieve even greater professional effectiveness while avoiding some of the more obvious traps in this HMO-directed age of mental health care. --Jill Lightner

Clinical Interviewing

John Sommers-Flanagan, Rita Sommers-Flanagan

Amazon Price: $59.41 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Wiley Amazon Marketplace: 20 new & used starting at $59.41

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Psychology & Counseling -> Clinical Psychology
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Psychology & Counseling -> Counseling -> General
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Psychology & Counseling -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

User friendly. One textbook you're liable to keep. 5 out of 5 stars.
14 of 15 people found this review helpful.

Interviewing textbooks are notoriously dry and mechanical. I can count using the fingers of one hand the number of books I have read on the subject that are worth their weight in cotton candy.

This work by the Sommers-Flanagan duo represents an excellent addition to the instructional literature on the fine art of interviewing. They use an wonderful blend of humor, humanity, sound advice and counsel, and theory.

Highly recommended.

Editorial Review:

• Includes case studies, chapter summaries, and new sections.
• Features an online instructor's manual.
• Integrates different theoretical models.

Theories of Psychotherapy & Counseling: Concepts and Cases

Richard S. Sharf

Amazon Price: $130.95 List Price: $130.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Brooks Cole Amazon Marketplace: 80 new & used starting at $56.93

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Nonfiction -> Current Events -> Poverty -> Social Services & Welfare
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Psychology & Counseling -> Counseling -> General
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Psychology & Counseling -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Great comparisons of each counselling theory! 4 out of 5 stars.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.

It's a great text book for counselling and psychotherapy and it often has the answers you need for assignments. It also covers some of the more modern therapies such as psychodrama and body therapies.

Thorough, complete, comprehensive. 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

If you enjoyed Sharf's text on Career Development, you will definately profit from this work on the theories of psychotherapies.

Sharf provides the reader/student/scholar with a clear-eyed, unbiased look at each of the main schools of thought. Fair and evenhanded treatment is given to each approach. Sharf starts each chapter off with a biography of the theorist, conceptualization of his/her paradigm, and detailed, comprehensive treatment of what the therapy process looks like under the auspices of this viewpoint.

This text has given me a very clear understanding and has even motivated me to look at several of the approaches more in depth as I consider my own approach to counseling.

Instructors will be pleased at the amount of information Sharf provides in this text, the companion study guide, and on the Info-trac. This book is well worth the money as it will give the practioner-to-be an excellent background on the craft of counseling.

Editorial Review:

This comprehensive and insightful text will provide you a thorough overview of the theories of psychotherapy and counseling, with examples of their application through the use of case summaries and therapist-client dialogue to illustrate techniques and treatment. Futher, you will study how theories can be applied to individual therapy or counseling for common psychological disorders, such as depression and generalized anxiety disorders, as well as how they can be applied to group therapy.

Where to Start and What to Ask: An Assessment Handbook

Susan Lukas

Amazon Price: $16.15 List Price: $17.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: W. W. Norton & Company Amazon Marketplace: 27 new & used starting at $15.00

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Mental Health -> Compulsive Behavior
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Mental Health -> General
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Psychology & Counseling -> Counseling -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

An excellent, practical, how-to book to prepare social work/psychology students for practicum 5 out of 5 stars.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.

These days, in preparation for my internship in the fall, I'm trying to read books that will remind me how to work clinically. This one is excellent, and I deeply wish I had read it in my second or third year of graduate school. I had to learn a lot of this stuff on the job, through floundering and making mistakes, and my field experiences would have been worlds easier if someone had just told me these things. This is an extremely practical (NO theory) how-to book for social work/psychology students who are just starting out and want to know how to conduct initial interviews with various clients -- adults, children (and their parents), couples, families, etc. It also covers issues such as assessing for violent potential, suicidality, and child abuse/neglect. It's written in a very simple manner and the style and information is appropriate for students rather than professionals. However, it's serving as an excellent review for me. I also recommend it to supervisors as a good resource for providing guidance to their supervisees.