The Beginning Psychotherapist's Companion

With a reassuring and clear writing style, this third edition of The Beginning Psychotherapist's Companion offers practical suggestions and clinical examples to address the professional development and emotional concerns of the beginning psychotherapist. Guidance is provided on managing readers' relationships with their supervisors and diverse clients; the book also educates readers on managing their personal well-being, and discusses the foundations of ethical practice, including informed consent, confidentiality, and documentation. Extensive coverage of boundary issues includes self-disclosure and the reader's online presence. The reader also is guided on how and when to refer clients for medication and other types of healthcare. Willer also provides professional advice on contemporary concerns such as telehealth, social networking, online searches of clients, the psychotherapist's internet presence, electronic communications and data management, and other important emerging challenges. Approaches to behavioral health emergencies are introduced. Comprehensive, practical, and thoroughly updated, The Beginning Psychotherapist's Companion continues to serve as the ideal resource for students and early career psychotherapists.

Jan Willer is a psychologist, author, and educator. As a former psychology internship training director, she has lectured, taught, and published on mental health training. She has an independent practice in Chicago, Illinois.

SECTION 1: YOUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 1.You, A Mental Health Professional 2.Common Feelings 3. Psychotherapist Well-Being SECTION 2: UNDERSTANDING KEY RELATIONSHIPS 4. Our Differences from Our Clients 6. The Therapeutic Frame 7. Confidentiality 8. Informed Consent SECTION 4: BOUNDARIES IN THE SESSION AND ONLINE9. Boundary Crossings, Boundary Violations, and Multiple Relationship 10. Boundary Considerations 11. Psychotherapist Self-Disclosure 12. Your Online Presence, Behavior, and Boundaries SECTION 5: COMMUNICATIONS, DATA SECURITY, AND DOCUMENTATION 13. Clinical Electronic Communications and Data Security 14. Professional Phone Contacts and the Initial Phone Call 15. Effective Documentation SECTION 6: MEETING AND ASSESSING THE CLIENT 16. Making Clinical Observations 17. Making a Diagnosis 18. The First Session: Preparation, Tasks, and Structure SECTION 7: MAKING EFFECTIVE REFERRALS 19. Psychotropic Medication: Referrals and Adherence 20. Health-Related Referrals 21. Mental Health Settings, Treatments, and Referrals 22. Substance Misuse Disorders: Treatments and Referrals 23. Behavioral Health Emergencies SECTION 8: YOUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT REVISITED 24. Your Growth