Main description:

Written in a clear and concise style, this jargon-free text provides student clinicians with the practice principles and fundamental communication skills used to facilitate effective therapeutic communication with clients. Organized into discrete sections to highlight one skill at a time, each chapter follows a unified format including an overview of the skill (e.g., empathy, reflection, validation, etc.); rationale for use; exemplary dialogue between therapist and client demonstrating actual usage of the skill; tutorial commentary embedded in the dialogue example; dialogue debriefing; and suggestions for variations. Key Features: Delineates the multidimensional differences between social relationships and the realm of the professional clinician: Students are given direction in terms of applying standards such as boundaries, ethics, regulating self disclosure, legal aspects, and client self determination. Offers dialogue boxes and role play exercises: These resources illustrate the multiple uses of each skill and allow students to practice the skill sets presented.Discusses the process of balancing objectivity and empathy: Emotional dynamics are discussed along with transference, countertransference, self awareness, and termination.
Provides a transcription of three 50-minute sessions: These transcripts demonstrate the essentials of clinical skill integration, short-term therapy, and termination. Intended Audience: This supplemental text is designed for advanced undergraduate and graduate clinical skills courses across the human services in the fields of Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, and Nursing. It is also an excellent resource for any professional dealing with clients in a clinical fashion.

Contents:

Preface Guidelines for Implementing Role-Play Exercises Acknowledgments Chapter 1: Defining the Therapeutic Relationship Therapeutic Figures The Therapeutic Process Selection Initial Contact Termination Time Goal Topic of Conversation Advice Perspective Social/Emotional Factors Emotional Involvement Objectivity Rescind Your Ego Personal Contact Involvement Professionalism Legal Confidentiality Scope of Practice Boundaries Time Commitment/Responsibility Respect Nonjudgmental Attitude Positive Regard Self-Disclosure Advantages of Self-Disclosure Disadvantages of Self-Disclosure Self-Disclosures Must Be Honest Self-Disclosure Guidelines Role-Play Exercises Chapter 2: Getting Started Preappointment Review Facilitating a Conducive Environment Rapport Fostering Sensitive Disclosure Initial Contact Introduction and Ground Rules Presenting Problem Coping With Silence Start Where the Client Is Respect the Client's Boundaries Matching Vocal Features Underlying Problem Role-Play Exercises Chapter 3: Following Listening Attending Observational Cues Nonverbal Attending Brief Verbals Pausing Verifying Perception Reflection/Paraphrasing Reverse Reflection Summarizing Clarification Role-Play Exercises Chapter 4: Emotional Communication Emotional Language Positive Feelings Negative Feelings Emotional Communication Empathy Validation Normalizing Self-Awareness Recognizing Your Perspective Monitoring Your Feelings Managing Countertransference Coping With Prejudices Role-Play Exercises Chapter 5: Leading Gathering Details Furthering Prompting Open-Ended Requests Questioning Ask One Question at a Time Buffering Re-asking a Question Close-Ended and Open-Ended Questions Avoid Asking Accusatory Questions Avoid Asking "Why?" Questions Avoid Asking Multiple-Choice Questions Avoid Asking Biased Questions Directing Returning Resuming Redirecting Specificity Focusing Proposing Alternative Perspectives Reframing Interpreting Generalizing Identifying and Resolving Discrepancies Challenging Confronting Educating Informing Advising Role-Play Exercises Video Interview Self-Critique Exercise Overview Setup Role-Play Partner Staging Implementation Role-Play Debriefing Self-Evaluation Guidelines Section I: Characteristics of the Client Section II: Goals of the Interview Section III: Skills Used Section IV: Overall Impression of the Interview Overview of Appendixes A, B, and C Skill Integration Short-Term Therapy Termination Appendix A. Session With Dusty---Week 1: Initial Session Appendix B. Session With Dusty---Week 5: Midtherapy Appendix C. Session With Dusty---Week 10: Termination Appendix D. Ethical Standards of Human Service Professionals--National Organization for Human Services--Council for Standards in Human Service Education Glossary References Index About the Author