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 DEVELOPMENT1.You, A Mental Health Professional2.Common Feelings3. 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 Relationship10. Boundary Considerations11. Psychotherapist Self-Disclosure12. Your Online Presence, Behavior, and BoundariesSECTION 5: COMMUNICATIONS, DATA SECURITY, AND DOCUMENTATION13. Clinical Electronic Communications and Data Security14. Professional Phone Contacts and the Initial Phone Call 15. Effective DocumentationSECTION 6: MEETING AND ASSESSING THE CLIENT16. Making Clinical Observations17. Making a Diagnosis18. The First Session: Preparation, Tasks, and StructureSECTION 7: MAKING EFFECTIVE REFERRALS19. Psychotropic Medication: Referrals and Adherence 20. Health-Related Referrals 21. Mental Health Settings, Treatments, and Referrals 22. Substance Misuse Disorders: Treatments and Referrals23. Behavioral Health EmergenciesSECTION 8: YOUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT REVISITED24. Your Growth