Core Competencies in Counseling and Psychotherapy addresses the core competencies common to the effective practice of all psychotherapeutic approaches and includes specific intervention competencies of the three major orientations. The book provides a research-based framework to aid clinicians in applying these competencies in their own practice. It begins by identifying and describing the core competencies and skills of expert therapists, then elaborates six core competencies and related supporting competencies and skill-sets. Instead of a review of psychotherapy theory and research or a cookbook of methods and techniques, Core Competencies in Counseling and Psychotherapy is a highly readable and easily accessible book that can enhance the knowledge and skill base of clinicians – both novice and experienced – in all the mental health specialties.

Core Competencies in Counseling and Psychotherapy addresses the core competencies common to the effective practice of all psychotherapeutic approaches and includes specific intervention competencies of the three major orientations. The book provides a research-based framework to aid clinicians in applying these competencies in their own practice. It begins by identifying and describing the core competencies and skills of expert therapists, then elaborates six core competencies and related supporting competencies and skill-sets. Instead of a review of psychotherapy theory and research or a cookbook of methods and techniques, Core Competencies in Counseling and Psychotherapy is a highly readable and easily accessible book that can enhance the knowledge and skill base of clinicians – both novice and experienced – in all the mental health specialties.

Core Clinical Competencies in Counseling and Psychotherapy addresses the core competencies common to the effective practice of all psychotherapeutic approaches and includes specific intervention competencies of the three major orientations. This second edition emphasizes six core competencies common to the effective practice of all psychotherapeutic approaches. It includes the most commonly used intervention competencies of the cognitive-behavioral approaches—including Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy—psychodynamic approaches, and systemic approaches. This highly readable and easily accessible book enhances the knowledge and skill base of clinicians—both novice and experienced. The second edition has been fully revised throughout and includes a new appendix featuring handouts and worksheets. This book is essential to practicing clinicians and trainees in all mental health specialties, such as counseling, counseling psychology, clinical psychology, family therapy, social work, and psychiatry.

This volume is a concise, convenient, and clearly written book for those who wish to study, master, and teach the core competencies of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Relevant for novice therapists as well as experienced clinicians and supervisors, this text also goes “between the lines” of evidence-based practices to highlight those methods which maximize the motivational and inspirational power of this therapy. Dr. Newman focuses on ways in which therapists can make treatment memorable for clients, thus enhancing maintenance and self-efficacy. He also highlights the value system that is inherent in best practices of cognitive-behavioral therapies, such as clinicians’ commitment to earn the trust and collaboration of clients, to be humble students of the field for their entire careers, and to seek to combine the best of empirical thinking with warmth and creativity. Notably, this handbook also emphasizes the importance of therapists applying cognitive-behavioral principles to themselves in the form of self-reflective skills, good problem-solving, being role models of self-care, and being able to use techniques thoughtfully in the service of repairing strains in the therapeutic relationship. Newman’s book provides many enlightening clinical examples, including those practices that otherwise eager therapists should not do (such as “micro-managing” the client’s thoughts), as well as a plethora of transcript material that describes best supervisory practices. It does all this with a tone that is engaging, respectful of the reader, caring towards the clients, and optimistic about the positive impact cognitive-behavioral therapies—when learned and used well—can have on the lives of so many, clients and clinicians alike.

This book illustrates how core competencies in the solution-focused and strategic therapies grow from the models' basic principles: discovering and amplifying what works and changing what does not.

This book identifies the core competencies shared by expert therapists and helps clinicians—especially those providing brief dynamic/interpersonal therapy—to develop and apply them in their own work. Rather than being a cookbook of particular techniques, the book richly describes therapists' mental processes and moment-to-moment actions as they engage in effective therapeutic inquiry and improvise to help patients achieve their goals. The author integrates the psychotherapy and cognitive science literatures to provide a unique understanding of therapist expertise. Featuring many illustrative examples, the book offers fresh insights into how learning and interpersonal skills can be enhanced for both therapist and client.

Mental health professionals and accrediting bodies have steadily been embracing competency-focused learning and clinical practice. In contrast to a skill, a competency is a level of sufficiency evaluated against an external standard. Learning to be clinically competent involves considerably more than the current emphasis on skill and micro skill training. While there are now a small number of books that describe the various clinical competencies of counseling and psychotherapy, none of these books focus on how to learn them. Highly Effective Therapy emphasizes the process of learning these essential competencies. It illustrates them in action with evidence-based treatment protocols and clinical simulations to foster learning and competency. Highly Effective Therapy is a hands-on book that promotes learning of the 20 competencies needed for effective and successful clinical practice.