Essential Interviewing and Counseling Skills - 9780826199157

This is the only comprehensive text to focus on the development of practical interviewing and counseling skills for Master's-level mental health counseling students. It is structured around the goals established by the CACREP's 2009 document on standards for MHC programs, and uniquely encompasses both theory and practice from the perspectives of a diverse array of theoretical schools and practice strategies. The text emphasizes the importance of multicultural facets of interviewing and counseling throughout, challenging students to examine their own backgrounds and biases as they develop professionally.

The book's hands-on guidance regarding interviewing and counseling skills, along with its embrace of different therapeutic modalities, will enable students to learn how to provide care to clients that is tailored to their specific needs. The text eschews a microskills approach, which can limit understanding of a patient's problems, in favor of one that rests on a strong theoretical foundation, an emphasis on cognition and affect, and consideration of multicultural diversity. Each chapter includes a highlighted section that draws students' attention to topics related to diversity, and strategies for working with clients from a variety of populations. Issues related to race, ethnicity, immigration, and country of origin are highlighted along with age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, language, and physical and cognitive abilities. The use of case examples from multiple theoretical orientations offers a realistic view of what actually occurs in a consulting room. The book also addresses working with clients who have serious emotional or psychological difficulties and covers evidenced-based practice, assessment, diagnosis, and when and how to terminate treatment. An instructor's guide and PowerPoint slides are also included.

• Provides a balanced, integrated theoretical and practical approach to interviewing and counseling with a focus on skills development
• Emphasizes the importance of multicultural facets of counseling throughout
• Teaches the fundamental skills of empathy, active listening, treatment planning, and developing a strong therapeutic alliance
• Offers a realistic window into the profession
• Fulfills the CACREP and AMHCA requisites for counseling and interviewing courses