Becoming an effective psychotherapist

Most therapists in training feel anxious about practicing psychotherapy. Helping another human being overcome life’s difficulties is an exciting and daunting responsibility—making the adoption of the right therapeutic approach an essential task. Yet it can be overwhelming to choose from the scores of theories and approaches available, estimated at some 250 theories to date. This book’s unique premise is that there is no “right” theory of psychotherapy. Rather, there is a therapeutic approach that is fitting for each therapist and client. Becoming an Effective Psychotherapist presents the nine leading systems of psychotherapy, the underlying rationale and approach to treatment for each, and their seminal theorists. Each chapter showcases a specific theory’s therapeutic goals, its assumptions about the therapist–client relationship, client tasks, and the related change processes. Chapters end with thought-provoking journal exercises, learning tasks, and case examples, as well as a discussion of how each approach has evolved and is practiced today. Through exploratory reflection, this book will help you find a theory that is compatible with your own worldview and show you how to be a more effective therapist by adapting it to honor the worldview of your client. By understanding your values and those upon which the major systems of psychotherapy are based, you can choose a model for practice that you believe in to maximize your satisfaction, confidence, and effectiveness as a therapist.