What is it that makes a counsellor or psychotherapist competent? In Competence and Self-Care in Counselling and Psychotherapy, Gerrie Hughes offers a framework for understanding what being competent means for individual practitioners, both generally and in moment-by-moment work with clients. Divided into two sections, Part One, The Competent Self, and Part Two, Care of the Self, the book explores care and replenishment of the self as an essential requirement for maintaining competence. The Competence Framework presented here suggests that the three elements of Practitioner, Client and Context are essential factors for making good therapeutic choices, as well as offering a structure for reflection, either individually or in supervision. The eight principles that elaborate on these elements provide a route to explore competence that is relevant for any theoretical orientation and appropriate for practitioners at any stage. The reader is encouraged to make their own exploration of a number of factors that influence competence and to identify development of the self as both a necessary preparation for therapeutic work and as a continuing outcome of being a therapist. In addition, Hughes emphasises the importance of having a sound ethical framework and utilising professional structures as well as examining the contribution of supervision to the development and maintenance of competence. This book is an ideal choice for counsellors, psychotherapists, supervisors and trainers who wish to maintain a robust standard of practice, and for those employing them.

What is it that makes a counsellor or psychotherapist competent? In Competence and Self-Care in Counselling and Psychotherapy, Gerrie Hughes offers a framework for understanding what being competent means for individual practitioners, both generally and in moment-by-moment work with clients. Divided into two sections, Part One, The Competent Self, and Part Two, Care of the Self, the book explores care and replenishment of the self as an essential requirement for maintaining competence. The Competence Framework presented here suggests that the three elements of Practitioner, Client and Context are essential factors for making good therapeutic choices, as well as offering a structure for reflection, either individually or in supervision. The eight principles that elaborate on these elements provide a route to explore competence that is relevant for any theoretical orientation and appropriate for practitioners at any stage. The reader is encouraged to make their own exploration of a number of factors that influence competence and to identify development of the self as both a necessary preparation for therapeutic work and as a continuing outcome of being a therapist. In addition, Hughes emphasises the importance of having a sound ethical framework and utilising professional structures as well as examining the contribution of supervision to the development and maintenance of competence. This book is an ideal choice for counsellors, psychotherapists, supervisors and trainers who wish to maintain a robust standard of practice, and for those employing them.

Psychotherapy is an increasingly stressful profession. Yet therapists spend most of their time helping clients deal with their stress, not caring for their own. This book is designed as a tool for the experienced counselor, junior therapist, and graduate student, as the issues confronted and discussed herein are relevant to anyone in the field, regardless of experience or expertise. Dr. Weiss has written a book in an easy, conversational tone, filled with concrete examples and blending research findings, clinical experience and theoretical approaches into practical suggestions and sound advice. The book is divided into three parts, discussing therapist concerns and questions that are continually raised, and providing practical tools based on clinical experience and research findings. It will be useful to all mental health professionals who have felt the strain of their practice.

Addresses a topic that is vitally important to therapists, offering a positive approach to enjoying their chosen profession, being the best they can be at it, and tackling or preventing burnout. The author leads the journey to self-awareness and self-care among psychology professionals. This book demonstrates a way to balance personal and professional lives by tending physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, and the need to feel connected. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2004 APA, all rights reserved).

Cover -- Half Title Page -- Title Page -- Copyright -- Dedication -- About the Authors -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Contents -- 1. Valuing the Person of the Psychotherapist -- 2. Refocusing on the Rewards -- 3. Recognizing the Hazards -- 4. Minding the Body -- 5. Nurturing Relationships -- 6. Setting Boundaries -- 7. Restructuring Cognitions -- 8. Sustaining Healthy Escapes -- 9. Maintaining Mindfulness -- 10. Creating a Flourishing Environment -- 11. Profiting from Personal Therapy -- 12. Cultivating Spirituality and Mission -- 13. Fostering Creativity and Growth -- References -- Index.

Many practitioners consider setting up in private practice at some point in their career, whether full-time or alongside other employment. The Essential Skills for Setting Up a Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice provides comprehensive yet accessible coverage of all the major skills needed to succeed. Based on the authors' extensive experience, this book provides a valuable insight into how to minimise the risks associated with working privately, offering practical advice on how to keep a balance between self-development, personal health and meeting the needs of clients, whilst maintaining high standards and making a reasonable living. Acknowledging the fact that being a good therapist may not, in itself, be sufficient to be successful in self-employment, the authors discuss the need for sound business skills, professional development, self-knowledge and motivation. Divided into three sections, the book covers all the essential business, professional and personal skills and includes discussion of subjects such as insurance, finance, legal issues, marketing, stress management, security and retirement planning. The focus on skills and how to acquire and develop them makes this book an invaluable reference for all mental health professionals who are considering setting up their own private practice. This book will prove to be an invaluable reference for all mental health professionals who are considering setting up their own private practice.

Praise for Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling, Fourth Edition "A stunningly good book. . . . If there is only one book you buy on ethics, this is the one." —David H. Barlow, PhD, ABPP, Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry, Boston University "The Fourth Edition continues to be the gold standard. . . . a must-read in every counseling/therapy training program. It is that good and valuable." —Derald Wing Sue, PhD, Professor of Psychology and Education, Teachers College, Columbia University "A must-have for therapists at every step of their career from student to wise elder." —Bonnie Strickland, PhD, former president, American Psychological Association "This Fourth Edition of the best book in its field has much timely new material. . . . A brilliant addition is an exploration of how reasonable people can conscientiously follow the same ethical principles yet reach different conclusions . . . an essential sourcebook." —Patrick O'Neill, PhD, former president, Canadian Psychological Association "Essential for all practicing mental health professionals and students." —Nadine Kaslow, PhD, ABPP, President, American Board of Professional Psychology "I particularly enjoyed the chapter on ethical practice in the electronic world, which was informative even to this highly tech-savvy psychologist. The chapter on responses to the interrogations issue is destined to be a classic. . . . Bravo! Mandatory reading." —Laura Brown, PhD, ABPP, 2010 President, APA Division of Trauma Psychology "There's no better resource to have at your fingertips." —Eric Drogin, JD, PhD, ABPP, former chair, APA Committee on Professional Practice and Standards and APA Committee on Legal Issues "Two of psychology's national treasures, Drs. Ken Pope and Melba Vasquez walk the walk of psychotherapy ethics. Simply the best book in its genre." —John Norcross, PhD, ABPP, Professor of Psychology and Distinguished University Fellow, University of Scranton