On Becoming a Counselor: A Basic Guide for Nonprofessional Counselors and Other Helpers [Paperback]

Eugene Kennedy (Author), Sara C. Charles MD (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2001

Psychologist Eugene Kennedy and psychiatrist Sara C. Charles have brought this already popular book up to date with the medical and psychological advances over the past ten years. This book continues to provide counselors with all the essential tools they need to respond to people's problems with intelligence and compassion.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The definitive book in its field -- in America

The definitive book in its field. -- in America on

The definitive book in its field. -- America

About the Author

Eugene Kennedy, is an award-winning author, syndicated columnist, and professor emeritus of psychology at Loyola University of Chicago.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: The Crossroad Publishing Company; 3 Exp Rev edition (November 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0824519132
• ISBN-13: 978-0824519131
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #332,603 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Compassionate, Wise, Remarkable, February 28, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: On Becoming a Counselor: A Basic Guide for Nonprofessional Counselors and Other Helpers (Paperback)

Have you ever been drawn into a book because you felt like the author was writing especially for you? *On Becoming A Counselor* is warm, human and engaging. It is written for ANYONE who, without extensive psychological training, comes in contact with troubled or anxious people. This contact may be in a work setting, or across the back yard fence: the confused, the suffering, the immature who so often look to others for help.

Mr. Kennedy writes that most of the counseling today is done, not be trained counselors, but by folks like you and me, who find ourselves "chosen" by another to hear a painful story, like it or not; that troubled individuals intuitively know how to seek out those who will listen. The work is especially helpful because it answers the one essential question: What can we really do for another?

From the introduction, Mr. Kennedy writes: "There is no disgrace in not being able to remake people...There is every honor, however, in helping persons move even a few inches closer to self-responsibility, in assisting them to turn in a new a healthier direction in life. The curse of the "amateur" therapists is their determination to change people at all costs, and they frequently blunder, trampling on the sacred places of others' personalities in the process."

*Counselor* provides us with the tools we need to respond to other people's problems with compassion and intelligence, and offers advice on how to take care of ourselves in the process. The added bonus is that Mr. Kennedy is a wonderful writer with a gentle sense of humor. The chapter about people who are resistant to help is called, "I Won't Dance, You Can't Make Me."

Mr. Kennedy has written several books about Catholicism and he is not afraid to ask the tough questions. Please don't discount his wisdom because he is a religious writer. *Counselor* is both secular and intensely spiritual. Kennedy's humanity and compassion come through every word of his remarkable 433 page book.

If you are in any field of counseling, or come across troubled souls, then this book is for you. A real treasure house of wisdom for all of us.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Information, April 22, 2004

By 

Ron Atkins "Ron" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On Becoming a Counselor: A Basic Guide for Nonprofessional Counselors and Other Helpers (Paperback)

This book is an excellent collection of sound ideas and advice for people who find themselves in counseling roles. While the premise of the book is not to teach you how to become a licensed counselor, and it is not specifically addressed to the professional counselor, the book contains detailed information about the counseling process and pitfalls amateurs should avoid.

For example, one lesson talks about recognizing our motivation towards serving a given person in need of counseling as a potential "rescue fantasy." That is, as counselors we should evaluate why we are involved in trying to provide counseling. Amazingly, when I analyzed it, much of my efforts to help other people were actually expressions of my own fantsies to "save the world." While the authors do not dismiss our fantasies as valid precursors to helping other people, they do help you put these things into perspective.

I highly recommend you read this book if you are interested in helping other people.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended!, September 10, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: On Becoming a Counselor: A Basic Guide for Nonprofessional Counselors and Other Helpers (Paperback)

This thick and information packed tomb of a book is essential for any individual that practices any sort of counseling!

As I deal mostly with people in religious circles (I'm Clergy), I have found this book to be one of the best reference materials that I have. In fact, I have shared and bought copies of it for my colleagues to peruse.

Highly recommended without any sort of reservation.