This accessible text aims to prepare students for beginning mental health practice by helping to develop an overall appreciation of counselling and psychotherapy. It discusses the basic skills needed to work effectively with clients and provides practical skill-building exercises throughout the book. These exercises are designed to help students master four types of skills: personal and professional development skills (including cultural sensitivity); communication skills; skills associated with the client's thoughts (cognitive skills); and skills associated with the client's emotions (affective skills).

Table of Contents

Part I: PRELIMINARY ISSUES. 1. Traits of Successful Therapists and Counselors. 2. Self-Awareness Skills. 3. Self-Care Skills. Part II: SKILLS TO FACILITATE COMMUNICATION IN PSYCHOTHERAPY AND COUNSELING. 4. Attending Skills: Nonverbal Communication and Listening. 5. Questions to Encourage Communication. 6. Response Types: Verbal Communication and Client Disclosure. 7. Moving Beyond Simple Communication: The Process of Empathy. Part III: SKILLS FOR COGNITIVE AWARENESS IN PSYCHOTHERAPY AND COUNSELING. 8. Working with Thought and Cognition: Overview and Basic Skills. 9. Working with Thought and Cognition: Advanced Interventions. Part IV: SKILLS FOR AFFECTIVE AWARENESS IN PSYCHOTHERAPY AND COUNSELING. 10. Working with Affect and Emotion: Overview and Basic Skills. 11. Working with Affect and Emotion: Focus on the Body. 12. Working with Affect and Emotion: Focus on Feelings. Closure. References. Author Index. Subject Index.