Although the impact that clients can have on therapists is well-known, most work on the subject consists of dire warnings: mental health professionals are taught early on to be on their guard for burnout, compassion fatigue, and countertransference. However, while these professional hazards are very real, the scholarly focus on the negative potential of the client-counselor relationship often implies that no good can come of allowing oneself to get too close to a client's issues. This sentiment obscures what every therapist knows to be true: that the client-counselor relationship can also effect powerful positive transformations in a therapist's own life.
"How Clients Transform Their Therapists" is Jeffrey Kottler and Jon Carlson's testimony to the significant and often life-changing ways in which therapists have been changed by their patients. Kottler and Carlson draw not only upon their own extensive experience-between them, they have more than fifty years in the field-but also uponlengthy interviews with dozens of the country's foremost therapists and theorists. This novel work will present readers with a truly unique perspective on the business of therapy: not merely how it appears externally, but how practitioners experience it internally. Although these stories paint a complex and multi-layered portrait of the client-counselor relationship, they all demonstrate the profound and unexpected rewards that the profession has to offer.

Bad Therapy offers a rare and revealing glimpse into the mindset and actions of some of the profession's most seasoned and well-known authors, theoreticians and leaders. Kottler and Carlson guide us through these honest and poignant accounts of failure and entertaining stories of encouragement. Nobly revisiting their therapeutic mishaps and foibles, twenty-two leading cliniciancs show how moments of fallibility result in lessons that constructively lead to mastery.

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Qualitative Journeys: Student and Mentor Experiences with Research takes a fresh approach to teaching qualitative research. Authors Victor Minichiello and Jeffrey Kottler share stories of student qualitative research experiences that reveal the struggles, the joys, the discoveries, and the surprises that take place during the qualitative research journey. By studying examples of student research (including obstacles and how they were overcome), readers learn through the real-life experiences of other students. Throughout the textbook, the authors offer pragmatic guidance for what works and what does not work, along with suggested solutions. Features and Benefits Provides the nuts and bolts of qualitative research in Part I Includes a dozen "qualitative journeys, narratives that tell the story of research studies, how they evolved, what was involved, and how they were conceived and conducted Focuses on research from the perspective of student experiences and demonstrates the partnership between students and their mentors Includes domestic and international examples of qualitative studies and real-life stories that convey the excitement and meaning of research Considers the lessons learned and the main themes derived from all the qualitative journeys

Qualitative Journeys: Student and Mentor Experiences with Research is appropriate for use as a supplement or core text for courses in Qualitative Research, Counseling Research Methods, or Social Work Research Methods."

This text is intended to inspire people to make a difference in their work. Told through the experiences of those who "do good" as a vocation, it reflects the realities of helping others through those who are successful and flourishing in their work. Focused on helping beginners to feel good about their commitment to service, it is thus appropriate as a text in both under-graduate and graduate courses in counselling, human services, social work, education, and similar survey courses. It is also of use to both professionals and those involved in volunteer helping efforts.

'This book is a fabulous resource that helps both beginning and experienced teachers examine themselves and reflect on their own teaching practices' - Michelle Barnea, Educational Consultant Realize, refresh, and awaken the passionate, caring, motivated teacher inside! Who was the best teacher you ever had? Can you remember the excitement and joy that this teacher brought to learning? Do you want to be "the best teacher ever" for your students? Understanding yourself and how you relate to others is the first step in becoming the enthusiastic, inspirational teacher to whom students respond best. On Being a Teacher links teaching to the unique human characteristics that each of us possess. Written with the trainee, beginning, and experienced teacher in mind, the authors help teachers discover their own special traits that make them superlative teachers. This newly revised third edition includes the addition of: - Research-based teaching strategies - Professional development activities - An in-depth look at parent-teacher evenings - Ideas for getting involved in your school and LEA to further your professional growth - Information on learning styles and multiple intelligences - Guides for individual and group reflection This book is ideal for teacher education courses and induction programs and can be used for either individual growth or group study.

Bad Therapy offers a rare and revealing glimpse into the mindset and actions of some of the profession's most seasoned and well-known authors, theoreticians and leaders. Kottler and Carlson guide us through these honest and poignant accounts of failure and entertaining stories of encouragement. Nobly revisiting their therapeutic mishaps and foibles, twenty-two leading cliniciancs show how moments of fallibility result in lessons that constructively lead to mastery.

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Students Who Drive You Crazy, Second Edition, provides educators with a model for assessing, understanding, and responding to their most challenging interactions at school, whether with students, parents, or colleagues. The book addresses some of the most difficult problems educators face today: gangs, violence, disrespect, addictions, verbal abuse, lack of motivation, and obtrusiveness. The author covers the kinds of conflicted relationships that occupy so much time and energy and that can often challenge an educator'sapersonal life as well as professional morale. In addition to synthesizing the theory and research on the subject of difficult student relationships, this resource presents interviews with practicing teachers, counselors, and school administrators and with current and former students were known to drive teachers crazy. All voices speak clearly about their sources of frustration and highlight the elements that made the greatest difference in overcoming obstacles. The updated edition features activities for professional development in each chapter to help readers extend and personalize the content; expanded discussion of the types of challenging student behaviours; additional tips for developing active listening skills to improve communication with students and parents; suggestions for creating caring communities in the classroom; a new section on dealing with aggressive and violent behaviour; information on understanding parent behaviour and suggestions for building positive connections with families; and additional tables and charts that summarize key points.

A Brief Primer of Helping Skills is a highly readable, accessible, and practical introduction to the skills of helping and making a difference in people s lives. In an engaging and concise style, author Jeffrey A. Kottler gives students in various professions an overview of the theory, process, and skills of helping methods. It is designed as an operating manual for those in human service professions to learn the basics involved in developing helping relationships, assessing and diagnosing complaints, promoting exploration and understanding, and designing and implementing action plans.

Key Features"Offers a brief introduction to the helping process" Written in an accessible and conversational style, this book helps students and professionals become familiar with the basic process quickly."Provides personal applications" This book helps students enrich their lives while learning how to be more helpful to others."Includes applications to a variety of settings and disciplines" Students can actually use material and skills in the book in all the various domains in which they function at work, in volunteer agencies, with friends and family. "Uses an integrative approach" The best features of all major theories and research are combined into a unified model of helping that is responsive to different needs.

Intended Audience

This supplemental text is ideal for introductory undergraduate and graduate courses such as Introduction to Social Work, Introduction to Counseling, and Introduction to Human Services in the fields of counseling, psychology, human services, social work, education, family studies, marital and family therapy, pastoral work, nursing, human resource development, and other helping professions. It is also an excellent resource for beginning practitioners."

Graduate school and professional training for therapists often focus on academic preparation, but there's a lot more that a therapist needs to know to be successful after graduation. With warmth, wisdom and expertise, Jeffrey A. Kottler covers crucial but under-addressed challenges that therapists face in their professional lives at all levels of experience.

In addition to telling the story of Bradford Keeney, the first non-African to be inducted as a shaman in both the Kung Bushman and Zulu cultures, the authors present applications of indigenous shamanistic concepts to the practice of helping and healing.

"This book answers many questions about working with English Language Learners. The anecdotes, examples, and stories help make the theoretical concepts concrete. I really like the hands-on suggestions, and many of the strategies in the book can be used daily." -Brenna Godsey, Science Teacher Canyon High School, Anaheim, CA An authoritative reference for teachers facing an increasingly diverse school population. This third edition of the best-selling Children With Limited English: Teaching Strategies for the Regular Classroom provides preservice and inservice teachers, curriculum specialists, teacher mentors, and administrators with the necessary tools to meet the educational needs of English Language Learners in an inclusive classroom. This revised edition includes more strategies for building communication skills, increased visuals and activities for instruction, and fresh connections to current research, plus a new chapter on literacy and an expanded chapter on integrating current technology into the classroom. Additional aids include: A guided daily lesson plan format with adaptations for English Language Learners A description of language proficiency levels A wealth of tables, charts, and checklists to guide instruction and assessment

Many experiences, both positive and negative, stimulate us to make changes in our lives. While many people readily recognize the need to make changes in various aspects of our lives, quite often their attention is focused primarily on choosing to change. As Jeffery Kottler argues in this innovative new book, however, it is comparatively easy to make the choice to alter our behaviors or attitudes; lasting change is the more elusive goal. In an attempt to reach the personal goals we set for ourselves, we all struggle with the same fundamental concern: how can we make our changes last?
While hundreds of books have been written on the process of change in recent years, few address the vital issue of how to make change endure. Based on original research conducted by the author over the last twenty years, Making Changes Last is a definitive investigation of enduring change.
Hundreds of therapists and change agents, in addition to a diverse group of people who have transformed themselves through travel, trauma, self-initiated experiences, or structured therapy, have been interviewed about their most dramatic opportunities for personal growth, and what contributed to making their changes last. These stories are combined with a comprehensive review of the research on the subjects of treatment maintenance, addictions relapse, permanent learning, and enduring personal; change, into a comprehensive model for understanding this complex phenomenon.
In Making Changes Last, Kottler presents theories and research that examine why changes often do not last, and then offers several practical strategies aimed to help construct an optimal treatment program that will endure over time. Written for helping and leadership professionals, members of the general public too, will find the personable and engrossing narrative both illuminating and inspiring.
Making Changes Last will give readers the knowledge and tools they need to understand the mechanisms and processes of successful, lasting change.

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Based on original research conducted by the author over the past twenty years, this book is a definitive investigation of enduring change. Hundreds of therapists and change agents, in addition to a diverse group of people who have self-initiated experiences, or structured therapy, have been interviewed about their most dramatic growth and the factors that contributed to making their changes last. Written for helping and leadership professionals, as well as the public, this book will give readers the knowledge and tools they need to understand the mechanisms and processes of lasting change.

Change is often a mystery, one that baffles doctors, therapists, teachers, coaches, parents-and especially those of us who struggle to alter bad habits or simply make lasting improvements in our lives. Why do we suddenly change for the better after years of failed efforts? Why do some of us never escape our self-destructive behaviors, even when we desperately want to? What is it that most reliably and effectively produces growth, learning and development that persist over time?
In this vividly written volume, psychotherapist Jeffrey Kottler weaves together inspiring stories and the latest research, taking the reader on a fascinating exploration of human behavior while highlighting what does-and does not-lead to lasting change. Kottler illuminates our many efforts to change-to stop taking drugs, reduce dependencies, leave a destructive relationship, find new and more meaningful work, or adjust to a devastating accident or trauma. Readers are invited to explore key triggers such as hitting bottom, moments of clarity, the power of altruism and service, travel to new surroundings, reading or listening to stories, religious conversion, and much more. Kottler also explores why most changes don't last and what we can do to prevent relapses.
Throughout the book, Kottler recounts stories of colleagues and patients-and even recalls episodes from his own life-often moving tales of remarkable, unexpected, and lasting transformation. He looks for instance at a young black basketball star, confined to a wheelchair for life after being shot four times, who turned his life around, becoming a scholar and a PhD.
An intriguing glimpse into the complexity of the human psyche, Change will engage anyone who has ever struggled to alter a habit, enrich relationships, recover from disappointment or failure, strive for more meaningful and productive work, deal with anxiety, loneliness, fears, stress, and depression, or transform their lives in any kind of significant way.

`Any practising or former headteacher will warm to the central contention made by Kottler and McEwan that, although counselling does not form part of the formal job-description of any principal or headteacher, the realities of such a post are that such skills are required in abundance' - School Leadership and Management This book introduces the basic methodology of counselling, consulting and communication skills, and the multiple roles principals must play in today's schools. It describes how to assess systematically the concerns and problems principals encounter with students, staff and parents.

This book is intended to inspire people to make a difference in their work. Told through the experiences of those who "do good" as a vocation, the book reflects the realities of helping others through those who are successful and flourishing in their work.
Unlike more traditional texts that concentrate exclusively on content, this work is focused on helping beginners to feel good about their commitment to service. It is thus appropriate as a text in both under-graduate and graduate courses such as Introduction to Counseling, Introduction to Human Services, Social Work I, Introduction to Education, and similar survey courses. It is equally useful to both professionals and those involved in volunteer helping efforts.

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For more than thirty years, On Being a Therapist has inspired generations of mental health professionals (and their clients) to explore the most private, confusing, and sacred aspects of helping others. In this thoroughly revised and updated sixth edition, Jeffrey Kottler explores many of the challenges that therapists face in their practices today, including pressures from increased technology, economic realities, and advances in theory and technique. He also examines the stress factors that are brought on from managed care bureaucracy, conflicts at work, and clients' own anxiety and depression. This new edition includes updated sources, new material on technology, new challenges that therapists face as a result of the global pandemic, and an emphasis on teletherapy and navigating ethics and practice logistics remotely. Generations of students and practitioners in counseling, psychology, social work, psychotherapy, marriage and family therapy, and human services have found comfort, support, and renewed confidence in On Being a Therapist, and this sixth edition builds upon this solid foundation as it continues to educate, inform, and inspire helping professionals everywhere.

"Slacktivism" is a term that has been coined to cynically describe the token efforts that people devote to some cause, without long-term or meaningful impact. We wear colored wristbands, pins, or ribbons proclaiming support for a particular organization. We might post something on social network sites or send messages to friends about causes dear to our hearts. We might even volunteer our time to work on behalf of marginalized, oppressed, or neglected groups or donate money to a charity. Yet the key feature of significant social action is follow through continuing efforts over a period of time so as to build meaningful relationships, provide adequate support, and conduct evaluations to measure results and make needed adjustments that make programs even more responsive.

This book is intended as an inspiration for practicing psychotherapists and counselors, as well as students, to become "actively" involved in a meaningful effort. The authors have searched far and wide to identify practitioners representing different disciplines, helping professions, geographic regions, and social action projects, all of whom have been involved in social justice efforts for some time, whether in their own communities or in far-flung regions of the world. Each of them has an amazing story to tell that reveals the challenges they ve faced, the incredible satisfactions they ve experienced, and what lessons they ve learned along the way. Each story represents a gem of wisdom, revealing both questions of faith, as well as of sustained action. The authors have been encouraged to dig deeply in order to talk about the honest realities of their work. After reading their stories, you will be ready to pick a cause that speaks to you and begin your own work.

It is commonplace that counselors, therapists, teachers, business leaders, executives, coaches, and other helping professionals - specifically trained in group leadership - often fail to apply their knowledge and skills to settings in which they might matter most. The same practitioners who guide others may not be able to put that background to work when they find themselves supervising peers, leading meetings, or even managing conflict at the dinner table. What You Don't Know about Leadership, but Probably Should discusses ways that leadership skills and interventions can operate throughout daily life. Applications from group therapy and systemic intervention models will be applied to the realities that people face every day - inspiring others, facilitating meetings, running social events, guiding conversations, and empowering others. This text uniquely integrates the latest research, theory, concepts, and skills into a model that applies these ideas to every aspect of daily life. The author draws not only from the extensive literature in group dynamics, counseling, and psychology, but also includes insights from business leaders gleaned from over a dozen interviews he conducted.

How do we explain the lurid fascination that most people experience when confronted by real or simulated acts of violence, murder, horror, and crime? This is the subject examined in this candid assessment of our dark vicarious thrills. Based on a series of interviews with perpetrators, victims, and "consumers" of violence, including several celebrities, the author of a best-selling book on serial killers explores what there is about this subject that draws such a wide audience. Unlike many other books that attempt to probe the murky psyches of deviant individuals, this book focuses on normal, average people who, despite themselves, enjoy getting close to the most forbidden, perverse side of destruction and evil. The persons interviewed range from homicide detectives and emergency room personnel to a heavyweight boxer and groupies of serial killers on death row. The author considers ideas from a variety of theories and research to explain our responses to violence, raises questions about the shifting line between normal and abnormal, evaluates the confusion and ambivalence that many people feel when witnessing others' suffering, and suggests future trends in society's attitudes toward violence.

With its practical, experiential approach, the Second Edition of Applied Helping Skills: Transforming Lives covers the basic skills and core interventions needed to begin seeing clients. By approaching therapy as an art rather than from a prescriptive diagnostic position, this text encourages readers to look at every situation differently and draw from their embedded knowledge to best serve the individuals in their care. Authors Leah Brew and Jeffrey A. Kottler weave humor and passion into their engaging prose, effectively conveying their excitement and satisfaction for doing helping work.

Think of a time in your life when you overcame a significant, chronic, intractable problem that had challenged you for years, until somehow you managed to completely turn things around in such a way that the change has persisted to this day. How did this happen, and what was it that made the greatest difference? Jeffrey Kottler has often explored this question-interviewing hundreds of people about their change experiences and synthesizing all the research around the globe-and he poses it in the opening pages of Change: What Really Leads to Lasting Personal Transformation. This fundamental query-how do we (or don't we) make conscious and lasting changes in our lives-has been at the center of his career as a therapist, social justice advocate, professor, scholar, and writer, and it offers a starting point for this book. Change is a mystery. There is no panacea, no one answer to how and why some people can alter their behavior, while others cannot, and even amongst the world's experts there is little consensus for what really makes the difference in successful transformations. From professional athletes to clients, colleagues, and his own personal life, Kottler interweaves powerful stories of transformation with contemporary scholarship and change theory in his examination of the varieties of human transformation. The book approaches the change process through a number of lenses, considering a variety of types of change, including those triggered by a traumatic event, hitting bottom in an addiction, inspirational travel, facing fears, and the power of altruism. Each chapter is anchored by stories of remarkable, unexpected, and lasting transformation, meant to inspire as well as illustrate the sheer range of possible change experiences. The book should leave readers with a healthy dose of skepticism for any program that promises to change your life, while also giving them a deeper appreciation for the complexity of the human psyche.