Becoming a Therapist: What Do I Say, and Why? [Paperback]

Suzanne Bender MD (Author), Edward Messner MD (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1572309431 | ISBN-13: 978-1572309432 | Publication Date: November 19, 2003 | Edition: 1

This book provides students and novice clinicians with nuts-and-bolts advice about the process of doing therapy, starting with the first contact with a new patient. Suzanne Bender, at the time a junior clinician, and Edward Messner, a seasoned practitioner and supervisor, provide a unique, combined perspective on how therapy is conducted, what works and what doesn't work in treatment, and how to take care of oneself as a clinician. Organized around the treatment of one fictitious patient, with other case examples brought in as needed, the book speaks directly to the questions, concerns, and insecurities that beginning therapists typically face. Written with candor and empathy, it offers authoritative guidance for understanding and resolving common clinical dilemmas.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Becoming a Therapist is an exciting new text that has quickly made its way into the psychotherapy teaching curriculum for residents. The book provides practical advice and clinical case examples illustrating the evaluation of a patient, the first few sessions, managing common dilemmas in therapy, and so on. What makes this book unique is its combination of clear writing, the presentation of recognizable and concise case material, and commentary that further elaborates the concepts. Drs. Bender and Messner emphasize the strategies therapists use to make decisions and handle dilemmas, thus providing residents with both a thinking process and practical tools to help them negotiate the beginning practice of psychotherapy."--Everett Siegel, MD, Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

"As a practitioner and teacher of practice for a quarter-century, it is easy to forget the initial terror of beginning as a trainee. This thoughtful and thoroughly engrossing book helps novice psychotherapists understand not only what to say, but also the theoretical concepts that undergird the words. The authors comprehensively cover assessment; the beginning, middle, and end phases of therapy; and how to establish a therapeutic alliance, maintain a frame, and use transference and countertransference. All of these concepts are discussed in an experience-near voice that conveys empathy and respect for clients. The authors skillfully integrate such treatment techniques as exploration, confrontation, and interpretation. They also provide artful coverage of legal, medical, psychopharmacological, and substance abuse issues. This generous work interweaves the contributions of a beginning therapist with the wisdom of a very experienced one. Beginning practitioners and teachers of practice will find it an excellent text."--Joan Berzoff, MSW, EdD, Smith College School for Social Work

"This book is a breakthrough, a true gem. A wise, kind and pragmatic master teacher and his gifted student have collaborated to distill the fundamental lessons along the path in the education of a psychotherapist. Many years in the making, the book makes complex concepts feel alive, personal, and elegantly simple. It is a new and valuable tool not only for mental health clinicians, but for any caregiver (or patient!) who hopes to learn better how to listen, and hear."--John B. Herman, MD, Director of Clinical Services, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital

"This book is the result of a unique and creative collaboration between a young and insightful therapist who has been struggling with the complexity of psychotherapy, and a seasoned, well-reputed clinician who once served as her supervisor. Provided is a richly illustrated set of guidelines for better understanding and dealing with common dilemmas in therapy. For therapists in training, the book offers helpful strategies (and warns against less effective interventions) for handling nearly every kind of issue that arises between the first contact and termination. More experienced therapists will also benefit from the authors' clinical competence and wisdom, especially with regard to patients that are rarely mentioned in textbooks but who frequently show up at our office--those who, for example, arrive late to sessions, fail to pay their bills, or do not respond immediately to interventions. This noteworthy contribution will be of great interest to a wide range of clinicians."--Louis Castonguay, Ph.D, Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University

About the Author

Suzanne Bender, MD, is a Staff Psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Clinical Instructor in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.

Edward Messner, MD, is a Senior Psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 332 pages
• Publisher: The Guilford Press; 1 edition (November 19, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572309431
• ISBN-13: 978-1572309432
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #119,754 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #84 in Books > Medical Books > Nursing > Psychiatry & Mental Health

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helpfully concrete and friendly guidance, June 7, 2003

By 

Alicia Powell (Jamaica Plain, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Becoming a Therapist: What Do I Say, and Why? (Hardcover)

Another, less elegant title for this book might be, "Everything new therapists want to know, but are afraid to ask." Drs. Bender and Messner have gotten down to the very basics here, in a way which is friendly, yet firm; concrete, but backed by solid psychodynamic theory. They even write about mistakes they have made in their own practices, something which is not commonly done in this genre. This book would have saved me (and my patients) from a lot of stumbling in those early months, and dare I say, years. It is fun to read, to boot!

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic for therapists, a compelling read, September 7, 2003

By 

K. Bender "The Oxfordian" (Oxford, England) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Becoming a Therapist: What Do I Say, and Why? (Hardcover)

This thorough, compelling and entertaining book promises to become a classic in its field. The authors take the reader into the complex and fascinating terrain of the psychotherapist's office, and, better yet, into the therapist's head. The therapist-in-training learns how to talk and listen to patients, deal with problems as they arise, manage his/her own feelings dealing with a patients. This can also be a useful book for patients who want to understand psychotherapy from the other side. Written in clear, authoritative, precise prose, this book is accessible to all, sympathetic to both patients and therpists, and extremely informative. Not only will it be useful to therapists and patients, but would also be of interest to the mass market, especially Oprah! A must-buy for those interested in the therapeutic process.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I wish I had this book when I was in psychiatric training!, January 1, 2007

By 

Julie Newman Toker (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Becoming a Therapist: What Do I Say, and Why? (Paperback)

Becoming a Therapist is the only book I have seen that covers this topic in a clinically relevant and non-intimidating way. It's extremely readable and covers the perfect range of topics from the first phone call to termination. We use this book in an introduction to therapy course for first year psychiatric residents. The book is universally praised by them (and the only book they all buy). I believe that this book is particularly well-suited for the beginning therapist and teachers of beginning therapists. I loved this book and recommend it highly!