Becoming Naturally Therapeutic: A Return To The True Essence Of Helping [Paperback]

Jacquelyn Small (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1989

Already a classic in the alcohol treatment and counseling communities, here is a life-changing guide for anyone in a therapeutic relationship—whether a professional counselor, a teacher, a parent, or a friend. Based on studies that pinpoint the characteristics of the most effective therapists, Becoming Naturally Therapeutic shows you how to help those you care about by opening your heart and releasing the healer within. A nationally known pioneer in the area of addiction and transpersonal psychology, Jacquelyn Small shows you how to emphasize without enabling, how to care without controlling, and how by helping others in a genuine spirit of giving you invariably help yourself. She teaches how the true art of therapy lives within us all. You'll learn: The ten characteristics—from empathy and warmth to immediacy and concreteness—that all counselors need to discover within themselves. How to overcome patterns of toxic relating—the pitfalls of the preacher, judge, teacher, or savior that are barriers to true intimacy. The principle of helpful confrontation: when to use it and how. How to "straight-talk" beyond codependent ways of helping and point those in need to their own inner strength. Complete with practical exercises and sample dialogues, this clear and compassionate guide will help you let go and become the natural healer you are meant to be.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This book, which began as an aid for counselors of alcoholics, is a succinct guide to effective counseling in both therapeutic situations and interpersonal relationships. From her research into what makes a therapist effective, Small has distilled ten traits that she calls "love in action"--traits that all persons can develop with practice. Her description of each trait includes examples of client-counselor dialog, information about underlying psychological processes, and a practice exercise. She also includes material aimed specifically at those dealing with the alcohol-addicted. While this book is probably better suited to readers familiar with basic counseling practice, it may also be useful to lay readers who want to improve their helping skills. Recommended for libraries supporting workers and trainees in the helping professions.
- Lucy Patrick, Florida State Univ. Lib., Talla - hassee
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A 'must read' book for all of us who have ever been in a position to respond to another in pain. It inspires each and every one of us to find a path to inner peace, and self love."—Claudia Black, Ph.D., author of It Will Never Happen To Me.

"Jacquelyn Small beautifully demonstrates the simplicity of true wisdom . . . the wisdom of the heart."—Ram Dass, author of Journey Of Awakening

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Bantam; Revised edition (December 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553348000
• ISBN-13: 978-0553348002
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.4 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #68,780 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars thoughtful - thorough- practical & compassionate, February 5, 2000

By 

Noah Young "former bassist/current psychother... (Chatsworth, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Becoming Naturally Therapeutic: A Return To The True Essence Of Helping (Paperback)

Ms. Small's book is considered a "classic" in the field of counseling persons with addictive illness for very good reasons. Her writing is very clear, concise, jargon-free (a huge plus in a field where some books require a separate glossary to understand the terminology! ), and extremely practical. Her utilization of brief and to-the-point clinical excerpts from counseling sessions are always appropriate and are followed up by additional applications. Her chapter on "Confrontation," will, once and for all, help novice and experienced clinicians understand that it does not mean dealing with your or the client's anger, lying, transference, etc.; it is simply a way to directly help the other grasp the essence of their beliefs, communication(s) and behavior(s) in non-shaming ways. Highly recommended to anyone considering counseling on either side of the equation and/or significant others of persons with addictive issues. One of the best i've run across in my 20+ years in the field.Also recommended to anyone interested in the qualities of a healer/effective therapist.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Becoming Naturally Therapeutic, May 26, 2003

By 

Danny Frazer (Aspen Achievement Academy, Loa, UT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Becoming Naturally Therapeutic: A Return To The True Essence Of Helping (Paperback)

Exceptional. Very practical. The author does a great job giving real examples for each of the therapeutic traits she espouses. I have worked with troubled youth for about 6 years and regularly refer to her book in my work with students and in coaching other staff. Very easy read, easily understandable, and right on the money! A great resource for anyone and everyone who fully engages in relationships with friends, lovers, clients.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Becoming Naturally Therapeutic, A Return to the True Essence of Helping, May 3, 2008

By 

THOMAS H. HOOKER JR. (Texas, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Becoming Naturally Therapeutic: A Return To The True Essence Of Helping (Paperback)

Jacquelyn Small writes about the natural work of being a helper. She writes for both the professional community of counselors and social workers as well as the real world of families. Some of her skills are directed at working with those with problems of chemical dependency and alcoholism, but she covers the aspects of toxic ways of relating and looking at how to come from the heart. She covers, in plain English, the skills of empathy, genuineness, respect, self-disclosure, warmth, immediacy, concreteness, confrontation, potency and self-actualization. In each section she gives clear examples of how the skill will look in real life, and how it should not be done.