The How-To of Psychotherapy

This is an essential guide for therapists at the beginning of their career. It goes beyond academic theory to provide readers with confidence and competence around core aspects of therapeutic processes, so they can contend with professional and ethical issues as well as assist in establishing their identity and standing as a therapist. Informed by years of clinical work and supervision, Bianca Denny presents practical answers to burning questions in an authoritative and accessible manner. The book offers plain language explanations of common dilemmas that often flummox trainee and early career therapists, such as keeping time in session, coping with "imposter syndrome", decisions around managing confidentiality, and working with patients who get under your skin. These are accompanied by practical tips and ready-to-implement skills, encouraging readers to consider the application of these skills to the patients and presentations in their current practice. Further supported by diagrams, tables, and call-out boxes, the book is easy to navigate and revisit throughout the first weeks, months, and years of a career in psychotherapy. Practical and accessible, this book is ideal for trainee and early-career psychologists, psychotherapists, counsellors, social workers, and other helping professionals.

Bianca Denny (D.Psych) is a clinical psychologist, working in private practice in Melbourne, Australia. She is an accredited supervisor of trainee (provisional) psychologists and those seeking clinical endorsement. Bianca also contributes to the media, writing on mental health and psychology topics.

1. Introduction 2. Being in the room - the first therapy session 3. Staying in the room - beyond the first session 4. Confidentiality 5. Professional boundaries in therapy 6. Therapist competence and confidence 7. Notes, reports, and record-keeping 8. Transference and countertransference 9. Ethical and professional decision-making for therapists 10. Supervision 11. The business of therapy