Clinical Strategies for Becoming a Master Psychotherapist (Practical Resources for the Mental Health Professional)

The best health practices are a synthesis of science and art. Surgery is a case in point. Although all competent surgeons follow scientific protocols, the best surgeons are masters of the art of surgery and produce better outcomes: e.g., smaller incisions; lower mortality rates. Psychotherapists are in exactly the same position. Psychotherapy is both a science and an art. There are excellent resources that convey information about empirically supported practices - the science of psychotherapy. However, this scientific information is incomplete in two important ways. It does not cover key matters that come up in psychotherapy (e.g., building a therapeutic relationship, resistance, termination), and it often does not fully cover the "art" of implementing these techniques, the nuances, the creative ways, the problem solving strategies when difficulties arise. This book is an attempt to have high profile, expert, "master" therapists discuss the art of handling these key issues. "Clinical Strategies for Becoming a Master Therapist focuses on the key skills in which therapists must excel to optimize therapeutic success. Each chapter is concisely written by experienced practicing clinicians and identifies the skill needed and how to practice that skill in the face of an evolving interaction between client and therapist." "Each chapter breaks down a broad skill (such as establishing and maintaining a therapeutic alliance) into its separate components (e.g. empathy, positive regard, instilling hope, appropriate feedback etc.) and then gives practical advice for applying the skill in practice. Knowing when to use a skill, for how long, and in what manner is the art that goes along with the science of knowing the skills." "The skills cover the spectrum from the beginning, middle, and end of psychotherapy, across different kinds of clients, and different forms of psychotherapy. The book will be of use to all clinicians whatever their speciality, offering practical, proven tips to becoming a master psychotherapist."--Jacket Content: Front Cover Clinical Strategies for Becoming a Master Psychotherapist Copyright Contents List of CONTRIBUTORS Chapter 01 The Art and Science of Psychotherapy Chapter 02 Enhancing Client Motivation to Change Chapter 03 The Therapeutic Alliance: Cultivating and Negotiating the Therapeutic Relationship Chapter 04 Narrative Psychotherapy as Effective Story-Making: An Introduction Chapter 05 Recognizing and Dealing with Cultural Influences in Psychotherapy Chapter 06 Effective Understanding and Dealing with Manipulation Chapter 07 Recognizing and Dealing with Transference.