Assuming no prior knowledge of counseling techniques, this highly interactive text takes students step by step through the acquisition of the skills and techniques for effectively helping their future clients. The author's straightforward writing style, clearly stated instructions, and numerous practice exercises prepare students to use assessment information, plan treatment, and implement helping strategies. Coverage encompasses the full complement of commonly used techniques, from basic "building block" skills to more advanced therapeutic skills.   Unique Features Stop and Reflect exercises ask readers to consider their reactions to real cases and situations.  Group Exercises offer opportunities for critical thinking and class discussion. Journal Starters encourage readers to test new ideas and reflect on conflicts and challenges as they develop as helpers. New! Video Exercises ask readers to watch unscripted, unrehearsed counseling sessions on the enclosed DVD and answer critical-thinking questions based on specific observations and skills.  Praise for Learning the Art of Helping   “Young’s long experience as a therapist and training mentor is evident throughout as he leads the novitiate into the essentials of helping….the inclusion of structured reflection opportunities permits the learner to become a participant/observer along the route the author has taken.”                                                                          – Deborah J. Youngman,Boston University   “[The text] stands out as a result of the nice flow between the chapters [which] actually mirrors the students’ learning process, the dialogue style that addresses the reader directly, the numerous [opportunities for] self-assessment, [and its] liberal use of client-helper dialogue with examples of good and bad responses.  It is a one-stop shop for the beginning helper.”                                     – Brigitte Matthies,California State University, Los Angeles

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1    Helping as a Personal Journey The Demands of the Journey Becoming a Reflective Practitioner How a Helper Develops: Perry's Stages The Development of Expertise The Challenge of Development The Perfect Helper or When Do I Quit Developing? Who Can Be an Effective Helper? What Can You Bring to a Client? Chapter 2    The Nuts and Bolts of Helping Defining Some Important Terms How is Professional Helping Different from Friendship? What Can You Expect from a Helping Relationship? Learning Basic Skills and Common Curative Factors Stages of the Helping Process: A Road Map Chapter 3    The Therapeutic Relationship The Importance of the Therapeutic Relationship in Creating Change How Can a Helper Create a Therapeutic Relationship? Other Factors That Help or Strain the Therapeutic Relationship Chapter 4    Helping Someone Who Is Different Differences That Can Affect the Therapeutic Alliance Challenges Caused by Differences in Culture Helping a Client Whose Culture is Different from the Helper's Challenges Caused by Differences in Gender Chapter 5    Invitational Skills Listening to the Client's Story Nonverbal Communication Between Helper and Client Nonverbal Skills in the Helping Relationship Opening Skills: How to Invite Chapter 6    Reflecting Skills: Paraphrasing Reflecting Content and Thoughts, Reflecting Feelings, and Reflecting Meaning Reasons for Reflecting The Skill of Paraphrasing: Reflecting Content and Thoughts Common Problems in Paraphrasing Chapter 7    Reflecting Skills: Reflecting Feelings The Importance of Understanding Emotions The Skill of Reflecting Feelings How to Reflect Feelings Common Problems in Reflecting Feelings Chapter 8    Reflecting Skills: Reflecting Meaning and Summarizing Meaning: Uncovering the Next Layer How to Identify Meaning Issues with a Clint Summarizing The Nonjudgmental Listening Cycle Chapter 9    Challenging Skills When Should We Use the Challenging Skills? Giving Feedback How to Give Feedback Confrontation How to Confront Evaluating Confrontation and Client Response Chapter 10    Assessment and the Initial Interview Why Assessment? Testing as an Assessment Tool Assessment is a Critical Part of Helping Categorizing Clients and Their Problems Beginning Assessment Methods Chapter 11    Goal-Setting Skills Where Do I Go from Here? Set Goals! What are the Characteristics of Constructive Goals? Who Owns the Problem? The Technique of Focusing on the Client The Technique of Boiling Down the Problem Chapter 12    Change Techniques Giving Advice and Information Brainstorming The Skill of Alternate Interpretation How to Teach a Client to Use Alternate Interpretation Chapter 13    Outcome Evaluation and Termination Skills Evaluating the Effectiveness of Helping Basic Outcome Evaluation Methods Termination Dealing with Loss at Termination How to Maintain Therapeutic Gains and Prevent Relapse Folliwng Termination Chapter 14    Curative Factors and Advanced Change Techniques: Part I Curative Factors Treatment Planning and the REPLAN System The Therapeutic Factor of Enhancing Efficacy and Self-Esteem Silencing the Internal Critic: The Technique of Countering Practicing New Behaviors Role-Playing Homework Chapter 15    Curative Factors and Advanced Change Techniques: Part II Lowering and Raising Emotional Arousal Techniques that Stimulate Emotional Arousal and Expression Activating Client Expectations, Hope, and Motivation Providing New Learning Experiences Glossary