Bradley Erford

Book title and author: 45 Techniques Every Counselor Should Know - Bradley reviewed 5-10-24

Why I picked this book up: I wanted to go back to the fundamentals, review theoretical orientations, find what works for which population, hammer out what doesn’t work with whom and maybe pick up new or refresher information to help with my work.

Thoughts: This is a user-friendly guide to essential counseling techniques and skills.

This concise, yet thorough, 45 Techniques Every Counselor Should Know is designed to prepare students to enter their field with sound ideas for applying theory-based techniques to their counseling. Coverage of each technique starts with the presentation of the theoretical origins, then provides a step-by-step guide to implementation, and culminates with opportunities for application. Transcriptions, case examples, multicultural implications and outcomes-based research demonstrate real-life application of how the techniques can be used in counseling practice. This indispensable resource provides hands-on help for working with clients from all backgrounds to create positive changes in their lives and meet their counseling goals.

The 3rd Edition features new case studies and application questions and five new techniques detailed in new chapters on Mindfulness Meditation (Ch. 17); Assigning Homework (Ch. 29); Narrative Theory (Ch. 43); Strengths-Based Counseling (Ch. 44); and Client Advocacy (Ch. 45).

The 45 Techniques Described in This Text, Categorized by Primary Theoretical Approach
Section 1: Solution-focused brief counseling
Section 2: Adlerian or psychodynamic
Section 3: Gestalt and psychodrama
Section 4: Mindfulness
Section 5: Humanistic-phenomenological Section 6: Cognitive-behavioral
Section 7: Cognitive-behavioral for use within and between sessions
Section 8: Social learning
Section 9: Behavioral approaches using positive reinforcement
Section 10: Behavioral approaches using punishment
Section 11: Emerging approaches

Techniques
Scaling; exceptions; problem-free talk; miracle question; flagging the minefield.
I-messages; acting as if; spitting in the soup; mutual storytelling; paradoxical intention,
Empty chair; body movement and exaggeration; role reversal
Visual/guided imagery; deep breathing; progressive muscle relaxation technique (PMRT); meditation
Self-disclosure; confrontation; motivational interviewing; strength bombardment
Self-talk; reframing; thought stopping; cognitive restructuring; rational-emotive behavior therapy (REBT); systematic desensitization; stress inoculation training
Assigning homework; bibliotherapy; journaling
Modeling; behavioral rehearsal; role play
Premack principle; behavior chart; token economy; behavioral contract
Extinction; time out; response cost; overcorrection
Narrative therapy; strengths-based counseling; client advocacy

Why I finished this read: I happily finished because it did a wonderful job doing everything it set out to do. The examples were broad and specific enough to be realistic and useful.

Stars rating: 5 of 5 stars… (more)