An interactive guide for helping professionals choose a theoretical orientation Appropriate for mental health counselors, psychologists, social workers, school counselors, substance abuse counselors, psychotherapists, and peer helpers, Developing Your Theoretical Orientation in Counseling and Psychotherapy helps readers find a theoretical orientation aligned with their personal values and worldview. Theories are presented in the text in a way that allows the reader to identify quickly the philosophical and cultural foundations of the theories while also accessing the theories’ goals and techniques. The 4th Edition is updated to include, among other things, a deeper discussion of the implications of empirically validated treatments and a new review of the implications of common-factor approaches.

Table of Contents:
BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS Why Theoretical Orientation Is Important Incorporating Theory Into Practice Strategies to Find Your Theoretical Orientation Six Schools of Thought and Need to Know Techniques Case Examples for Integrating Theory Into Practice DETAILED TABLE OF CONTENTS Why Theoretical Orientation Is Important A Personal Experience The Big Puzzle What Is Theoretical Orientation? The Helper’s Tool Belt What Can a Theoretical Orientation Do for Me? How Have Others Picked a Theoretical Orientation? What If I’m Eclectic? Empirically Validated Therapies: Are They Better? Guidance from Common Factors: Do They All Work? Once I Have It, How Can I Use It? How Are Theoretical Orientation and Ethics Related? What to Take Home Reflection Questions Incorporating Theory Into Practice Making Theory Useful: A Model Theory Development Importance of Your Life Philosophy Life Philosophy–It’s Personal Schools of Thought Theories Goals and Techniques: Interventions at Work Counselors Are Diverse Resistance to Theories: Eclectic, Integrated, or Just Don’t Know Does It Really Work? What to Take Home Reflection Questions Strategies to Find Your Theoretical Orientation Find Yourself Articulate Your Values Survey Your Preferences Use Your Personality Taking the MBTI Capture Yourself Write Yourself As a Case Study Let Others Inspire You in Your Learning Read Original Works or Study with a Master Get Real Broaden Your Experiences What to Take Home Reflection Questions Suggested Readings and Webpages Six Schools of Thought and Need to Know Techniques Historical Perspective Case Study Psychodynamic School of Thought Psychoanalytic Theory Analytical Psychology Individual Psychology Behavioral School of Thought Behavioral Therapy Humanistic School of Thought Person-Centered Therapy Existential Therapy Gestalt Therapy Pragmatic School of Thought Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) Reality Therapy Constructivist School of Thought Multicultural Counseling and Therapy (MCT) Feminist Therapy Narrative Therapy Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) Family Approaches School of Thought Bowen Family Systems Therapy Strategic Family Therapy Structural Family Therapy Need to Know Techniques Mindfulness Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Resilience Strength-Based Approaches Distance Counseling What to Take Home Reflection Questions Case Examples for Integrating Theory Into Practice Clinician Case Studies Case One: Evan Case Two: Jill Case Three: Anaya Comment on Clinician Cases Client Case Studies Case One: Tony Case Two: Hanae Case Three: Brenda Comment on Client Cases Supervision Case Studies Case One: Grace Case Two: Dominic Comment on Supervision Case Studies Techniques Case Studies Case One: Rosa Case Two: Maggie Comment on Techniques Case Studies What to Take Home Importance Revisited How Theory Is Found Benefit of the ITS Model to the Field