Dec 2, 2014 | Book Reviews
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) has received significant research attention over the past decade and also been used frequently to treat individuals presenting with a variety of clinical concerns ranging from chronic pain and diabetes management to severe depression and substance abuse. In The Big Book of ACT Metaphors: A Practitioner’s Guide to Experiential Exercises and Metaphors in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Jill A. Stoddard and Niloofar Afari provide a comprehensive A–Z resource guide for practitioners, trainees and others in the counseling profession to use when working with clients. Additionally, novel metaphors, new experiential exercises and detailed scripts were collected from the entire ACT community to make this a collaborative endeavor and to provide a “one-stop” shop for all.
The book includes nine chapters and 202 pages of material, as well as 10 appendices, additional resources and a complete list of references. The first two chapters provide a brief introduction to Relational Frame Theory (RFT) and specifically explain how ACT is rooted and theoretically grounded in this model. The reader learns about the six core therapeutic processes and the ACT hexaflex. The authors also adequately discuss the function of metaphors, how to create therapeutic metaphors and how to effectively deliver tailored metaphors in treatment. Chapters 3 through 8 provide a more in-depth description of each of the six core ACT processes. Chapter 3 covers acceptance and willingness while chapter 8 focuses on committed action. The other core processes include cognitive defusion, present-moment awareness, self-as-context and values. In each of these chapters, the authors summarize the core process and provide brilliant exercises, metaphors and scripts for the reader, specifically showing how this theory and approach can be translated into practice. The final chapter ties it all together by summarizing and reviewing material from the first eight chapters and also by using a sailing boat metaphor to demonstrate how multiple core processes can occur in counseling. The authors address general guidelines for tailoring metaphors and common stumbling blocks.
While numerous ACT textbooks and workbooks are available, this book is essential for any current or future ACT practitioner. In addition to including over 100 metaphors and exercises, Stoddard and Afari have beautifully organized the content in this book and matched each exercise or metaphor with its respective core process (e.g., values, committed action). The authors go above and beyond to cite the source from which the material was collected and even provide specific page numbers in order to assist the reader in obtaining previously published material. The inclusion of material that can be used for both group counseling and individual sessions represents a strength of the book. Each chapter is concise, easy to read and detailed enough for even the most novice counselor to replicate in session. In addition to the book’s numerous strengths, the authors may consider adding a chapter in future editions on the role of culture and incorporating additional multicultural metaphors and exercises to utilize in practice, ultimately fostering more cultural dialogue and a stronger therapeutic alliance with clients engaging in treatment.
In summary, this practical, useful and relevant book provides an excellent foundation and guide for new clinicians and also a one-stop shop for well-seasoned ACT counselors. Whether as a trainee, clinician, researcher, supervisor or professor, there is something in this book that you can benefit from and can add to your current toolbox.
Reviewed by: Mary-Catherine McClain, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA.
Stoddard, J., & Afari, N. (2014). The big book of ACT metaphors: A practitioner’s guide to experiential exercises & metaphors in acceptance & commitment therapy. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.
The Professional Counselor
http://tpcjournal.nbcc.org
Dec 2, 2014 | Book Reviews
When most experts in a field state that they “wrote the book” on a topic, it is merely a complimentary figure of speech; however, Dr. Virginia B. Allen has literally written the book on professional counselors working within the legal system. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience as a professional counselor working within the family court system, Dr. Allen has developed a comprehensive review of the field of forensic counseling titled Counseling in the Family Law System: A Professional Counselor’s Guide. At first glance, I thought this book would detail how counselors could collaborate with other professionals working within the legal system to advocate for clients, but that impression was only partially correct. I did not realize that professional counselors could play an integral role within the family court system as advocates for children and evaluators in custody suits, work as mediators between aggrieved parties, and operate as case managers within the judicial system.
In the first part of the guide, Dr. Allen explores the foundations of forensic counseling and the family law system, defining forensic counseling and providing a greater understanding of legal terminology and the various functions that professional counselors can perform in this venue. She works to dispel many myths associated with working in the family law courts, and also highlights the realities of these positions. As with any area of specialization in the counseling field, it is important to understand the scope of practice for such work, and Dr. Allen clearly outlines the types of training needed to prepare for this area of counseling. Likewise, she discusses ethical considerations for the positions of case managers, mediators and custody evaluators. Additionally, she explores the standards of practice outlined by the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts.
The second part of the book focuses on the basics of counseling practice within the field of family law. This section is extremely useful to beginning counselors in this field or to those who might be contemplating a transition to this area of practice, as it provides practical examples of interviewing basics and the forms of report writing required. Continuing to draw on her own expertise, Dr. Allen guides the reader through the process of working a case, as well as understanding and conducting special circumstances cases. She describes how to provide testimony, prepare for a case, professionally present oneself in court, and build professional relationships with lawyers and judges within the system.
The only limitation of this book, if it could be called that, is the fact that there is little published material to which one can compare it. Counseling in the Family Law System is the first book of its kind to guide professional counselors through the family court system and to provide an understanding of how to prepare for and practice within this specialized field. Overall, I came away with a new perspective on the possibilities for practice as a professional counselor. I admit that I was not aware of this specialty area and the degree to which counselors are already prepared to enter this field, possessing the ability to communicate effectively with others from varying age groups and culturally diverse populations, the skill to advocate on behalf of clients of all ages, and the experience to evaluate clients and to appropriately mediate disparate views or competing interests. Based upon her training and extensive experience in the profession, Dr. Allen opens the field of forensic counseling to new practitioners and to established professionals alike, and to the possibilities for expanded practice in the field of professional counseling.
Allen, V. B. (2014). Counseling in the family law system. New York, NY: Springer.
Reviewed by: Michael A. Keim, NCC, University of West Georgia, Carrollton, GA.
The Professional Counselor
http://tpcjournal.nbcc.org
Dec 2, 2014 | Book Reviews
Multiculturalism and Diversity in Clinical Supervision: A Competency-Based Approach, the potential for mixing two very complex domains into one complex book is certainly present.
Fortunately, there are portions of this book that break down both multiculturalism and supervision into realistic ideas that can be infused into anyone’s personal counseling or supervision style. Whereas some supervision texts are hyperfocused on steps and actions that must be taken to become a competent supervisor, Multiculturalism and Diversity in Clinical Supervision: A Competency-Based Approach takes a step back, instead invoking a more wide-angle view of the supervision process and how multiculturalism is central throughout it. This comprehensive approach is most readily apparent in Chapter 2, where the authors illustrate supervision and culture as interwoven circles in which the client’s, the counselor’s and the supervisor’s personal and cultural values collide within every interaction. Furthermore, the author breaks down each of these levels using vignettes and examples to show the reader how these different areas connect and collide with one another. While this information does not give a map or guideline of how to conduct supervision, it does invoke further contemplation about how one’s own personal tendencies and others’ backgrounds can affect the supervision process, a topic that is often skimmed over in traditional supervision literature.
While the focus of this book is unique and much needed in the supervision literature base, there are some limitations to how the authors structured the text, the most notable of which is that this book is clearly geared toward psychologists and not counselors. For a new or novice supervisor, this omission may prove problematic, as the basic building blocks of supervision for counselors are absent.
The second critique of this book is the creation of its chapters. Instead of following a traditional outline in which each chapter builds toward the next, further elaborating and clarifying ideas from the previous chapter, this text reads more as a series of disconnected articles that have been compiled into one volume. Therefore, each chapter is self-contained, with its own beginning, middle and end, as well as its own particular writing style. The lack of continuity makes this text a somewhat arduous read at times.
But overall, the macro-level focus of Multiculturalism and Diversity in Clinical Supervision: A Competency-Based Approach is a refreshing outlook on how the personal and cultural qualities of counselor and supervisor intertwine within the supervision process. On one hand, the manner in which this book is written may make it a difficult selection for counselors and counselors-in-training who do not yet have a solid foundation in counseling supervision. On the other hand, counselors and supervisors who are up to date on the current counseling supervision literature may find that the ideas within this book can spark self-reflection on how their own personal qualities and cultural orientation arise in the supervision process.
Reviewed by: Mark P. Eades, NCC, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC.
Falender, C. A., Shafranske, E. P., & Falicov, C. J. (Eds.). (2014). Multiculturalism and diversity in clinical supervision: A competency-based approach. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Dec 2, 2014 | Book Reviews
Philip Brownell starts Spiritual Competency in Psychotherapy with a quote from the Bible, which may put off some non-Christian counselors. However, he issues a disclaimer early in the text that although he brings in excerpts from other religious leanings, he generally discusses what he knows best—Christianity. The book, divided into three parts, has eighteen chapters that describe spirituality and religion according to both older and more recent religious beliefs.
The first part of the book includes the first through the fifth chapters. Brownell delves into spirituality through the lenses of three faiths—Judaism, Christianity and Islam. He journeys with the reader through Eastern philosophies to the New Age movement. Brownell then discusses the similarities and differences between spirituality and religion, and makes it clear that though many apply the two terms interchangeably, clear differences exist. He touches on spirituality and religion from the psychological, philosophical, theoretical and coherentist points of view. He ends the first part of the book by discussing the process of personal spirituality and ethical issues for the various helping professions. Brownell uses the diagram of a strand of DNA to explain spirituality and religion as both a process and a relationship. Using personal anecdotes, he takes the reader through the process of spirituality and religion, and growth in spiritual maturity. Though Brownell does not advocate counselors necessarily sharing their clients’ spiritual and religious practices, he implores counselors to understand how these play a part in clients’ make-up.
In part two of the book, Brownell writes about how spirituality looks in therapy, providing a face for therapy in practice, especially from the Christian perspective. He admonishes counselors to “treat religious experiences as legitimate” (p. 50), but encourages them to question these experiences respectfully enough to know which aspect can be used to help clients. He avers that spirituality is more personal and individual, whereas religion is a communal experience. He provides examples from various religious beliefs to explain these differences to the counselor inclined towards spiritual competency. Much as researchers in multicultural competency in therapy advocate areas for counselor concentration, so Brownell urges counselors to be aware of their own assumptions, biases, behaviors and values, as they recognize how similar and/or different they may be from their clients.
Part three of the book deals with common spiritual issues encountered in therapy. Brownell approaches this part from an existential perspective and establishes that every counselor can grow in spiritual competency to help clients achieve the help they need. The section would have been complete with case studies of counselors applying spiritual competencies with clients from various religious orientations, but Brownell provides additional information. He urges counselors to work especially in the here-and-now with clients and reaffirms what most research on client outcomes indicates as helpful—making connections with clients. Brownell demonstrates how spiritual competency endows counselors with skills necessary to help clients take bold steps and explore uncertain areas in their lives. Finally, Brownell addresses a sensitive topic in religious circles—the abuse of clients by religious leaders. He emphasizes the burden upon counselors in upholding the trust of clients, and also encourages counselors to work with religious leaders to benefit clients. Brownell points out that counselors deal with clients as well as their faith community and what that faith teaches. Counselors are not to act as theologians or evangelists but are encouraged to discover how clients interpret their faith and how this interpretation manifests in therapy. He ends the book with a look at death—that of both clients and their loved ones—and counselors’ role in providing support for clients’ meaning making.
In summary, Brownell’s book advocates for the need to combine ethical codes in any helping professional field with good judgment and knowledge of various religious beliefs. Though many examples are Christian-based, the book is still relevant for both the beginner and expert counselor. It is fashioned in a way that allows the reader to move to any chapter that addresses his or her particular needs. Although Brownell discloses his Christian background early on, he does not approach the subject of spirituality with the emphasis one might have expected from a minister.
Reviewed by: Hannah E. Acquaye, doctoral student in counselor education, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.
Brownell, P. (2015). Spiritual competency in psychotherapy. New York, NY: Springer.
The Professional Counselor
http://tpcjournal.nbcc.org
Jul 11, 2014 | Book Reviews
Intentional Interviewing and Counseling: Facilitating Client Development in a Multicultural Society, now in its eighth edition, is a textbook designed to teach students the basic skills of counseling and psychotherapy. The authors have updated this most recent edition to include innovative material on empathy, self-actualization, intentionality, resilience, crisis-counseling, self-disclosure, neuroscience, stress management and therapeutic lifestyle changes. Ivey, Ivey and Zalaquett (2014) authored Intentional Interviewing and Counseling with the goal of preparing students “for culturally intentional and flexible counseling and psychotherapy” (p. xvi). They do this by presenting students with a microskills hierarchy that delineates the successive steps in interviewing and counseling. According to the authors, if a student counselor masters the microskills, he or she is able to “anticipate and predict how clients will respond to your [their] interventions” and “be able to shift to skills and strategies that match their needs” (p. 10). Thus, most chapters in Intentional Interviewing and Counseling emphasize the development and adaptation of specific counseling skills that have been shown to help clients develop.
The textbook contains 16 chapters and about 460 pages, including the 3 appendices but excluding the references and indices. The book is divided into the following five sections: (a) the foundations of counseling and psychotherapy, which describes the microskills approach, ethics, multicultural competence, wellness, attending behavior and observation skills; (b) the basic listening sequence (e.g., questioning, reflecting feeling, active listening); (c) empathic confrontation; (d) interpersonal influencing skills (e.g., self-disclosure, reflecting meaning, and stress management); and (e) skill integration (e.g., treatment planning, relapse prevention). I found the text to be easy to read, and oftentimes chapters include transcripts or diagrams that facilitate a deeper understanding of the material.
The use of transcripts and example counseling sessions is a definite strength of the text. Students are able to read through sessions and reflect on the process comments provided by the author. For example, the appendix includes a transcript of a cognitive behavioral session that helps students to recognize how the microskills integrate with this theoretical orientation. The inclusion of neuroscience is also an interesting feature of the book. The authors often connect core counseling skills such as empathy with neuroscientific research in order to help readers recognize the biological basis of the skills. Lastly, throughout the text the authors note the role of culture and cultural competence in counseling, which could help instructors more easily integrate multiculturalism into their classroom discussions. One element the book seems to lack is a comprehensive emphasis on the role of the therapeutic relationship and working alliance. The relationship is arguably the cornerstone of any counseling approach and has numerous complex and important aspects. It would have been helpful to see this receive more emphasis in the text.
Overall, Intentional Interviewing and Counseling: Facilitating Client Development in a Multicultural Society provides a thorough overview of the basic counseling skills found in the microskills approach. The text is easy to read and has many beneficial features such as discussions of neuroscience, a multicultural perspective, and transcripts of example counseling sessions. Moreover, the instructor’s edition reportedly comes with several ancillary materials including a resource guide and an online test bank. Thus, this text could be a useful resource for anyone teaching a counseling skills course.
Reviewed by: Daniel Gutierrez, NCC, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC.
Ivey, A. E., Ivey, M. B., & Zalaquett, C. P. (2014). Intentional interviewing and counseling: Facilitating client development in a multicultural society (8th ed.). Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning.
The Professional Counselor
http://tpcjournal.nbcc.org
Jul 11, 2014 | Book Reviews
The fourth edition of Career Development & Planning: A Comprehensive Approach explores career decision making and planning. The way in which the textbook is outlined is consistent with literature and research on career development. It is separated into three different sections: Career Concepts and Applications, Social Conditions Affecting Career Development, and Implementing a Strategic Career Plan. The first part of the book explores self-knowledge, allowing students to answer the question “Who am I?” in regards to career. The subsequent sections provide knowledge about the world of work and instructions for creating a career plan. Many career courses follow a similar outline, and this textbook can be useful in those courses.
This textbook provides many useful activities for students to complete on their own or in small groups during class. The activities allow the students to engage in dialogue about the content in the chapters. The practical elements of this textbook are useful as well. Facts regarding growth occupations, labor market trends and appropriate attire for interviews offer concrete information for students who are embarking on career journeys. The manual accompanying the textbook is also valuable, providing a plethora of material for the instructor, including helpful PowerPoint slides. This manual provides a convenient framework for an instructor who might be teaching this kind of class for the first time.
Although the textbook provides various activities for students to complete, many of them are located in the appendices. It might be useful to have more of the activities in the chapter for students to view. In many instances, students often skip over the activities in a textbook even when they are easily accessible; with these activities in the appendices, students may be even less likely to consider or complete them. Students might also engage more with the text and understand it better if it were punctuated with case studies and other opportunities for discussion. In addition, the textbook could benefit from a greater emphasis on culture and environment, which play a significant role in career development. Examining cultural and environmental influences in depth might allow students to gain more insight into their reasons behind their decision making.
Career Development & Planning: A Comprehensive Approach gives counselor educators, clinicians and students extensive information about career-development processes through a theoretical lens. In addition, it provides activities and interventions to implement in counseling people of various ages and backgrounds. These activities can also be useful for training counselors and clinicians in career development and its practices. Career decision making proves challenging for many individuals, and this textbook’s focus on career development allows clinicians to understand how difficult it often is for people to make career decisions. Counselor educators and clinicians are trained in helping others gain self–knowledge, but not always from a career-development perspective. This textbook could potentially help clinicians offer counseling services from a career-development standpoint. Staying informed about the job market and various employment trends is also important for counselor educators and clinicians, who should maintain up-to-date knowledge for their clients. Professors, practicing counselors and students can all benefit from the information and activities presented in Career Development & Planning: A Comprehensive Approach.
Reviewed by: Diandra J. Prescod, NCC, Assistant Professor, University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, Texas.
Reardon, R. C., Lenz, J. G., Peterson, G. W., & Sampson, J. P., Jr. (2012). Career development and planning: A comprehensive approach (4th ed.). Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt Publishing.
The Professional Counselor
http://tpcjournal.nbcc.org
