Counseling: A Comprehensive Profession, Updated Edition (5th Edition) [Paperback]

Samuel T. Gladding (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0132328623 | ISBN-13: 978-0132328623 | Publication Date: November 13, 2006 | Edition: 5

 This updated fifth edition reflects the 2005 ACA code of ethics and encompasses all that counseling is today–addressing the history of counseling and the theory behind its practice; exploring the multicultural, ethical, legal environments in which counselors operate; and, examining the variety of skills today's counselors are expected to exhibit. Up-to-date references to contemporary theorists, trends, and challenges in the field ensures readers learn the current best practices and the most recently-adopted theories–prepares them to practice in today's settings, with the most recent tools and information. Incorporation of multicultural and gender issues throughout the material broadens the scope of the book. Six chapters are dedicated to specific populations with whom counselors work and professional arenas in which they practice. Includes American Counseling Association and NBCC Ethical Guidelines for the practice of internet counseling. Emphasis on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV-TR) categories prepares future counselors for the “nitty-gritty” of diagnosis–addresses the stringent requirements of documentation demanded by third party payers. A key resource for counseling certification.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Encompassing literally every aspect of counseling, this popular text organizes coverage around a developmental framework, effectively illustrating the growth and evolution of counseling as a profession and defining where and how it differs from other helping specialties such as social work and clinical psychology. Part One explores the history of the counseling field, professional issues, the qualities of effective counselors, and the challenges they face. In Part Two, the process, stages, and theories of the counseling profession are highlighted, beginning with discussion of universal aspects of counseling, followed by specifics of client service. In Part Three, the text examines counseling as it is actually practiced in a variety of situations, for a variety of clients. The Third Edition exhibits the same thorough, scholarly coverage and exceptionally clear writing that led to this text's recommendation as a primary source for use in study toward certification and licensure exams in counseling. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

Key Benefit: Encompases literally every aspect of counseling, organizing coverage around a developmental framework, effectively illustrating the growth and evolution of counseling as a profession and defining where and how it differs from other helping specialties such as social work and clinical psychology. The Third Edition exhibits the same thorough, scholarly coverage and exceptionally clear writing that led to this book's recommendation as a primary source for use in study toward certification and licensure exams in counseling. Key Topics: Part One explores the history of the counseling field, professional issues, the qualities of effective counselors, and the challenges they face. In Part Two, the process, stages, and theories of the counseling profession are highlighted, beginning with discussion of universal aspects of counseling, followed by specifics of client service. In Part Three, the text examines counseling as it is actually practiced in a variety of situations, for a variety of clients. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 560 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 5 edition (November 13, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0132328623
• ISBN-13: 978-0132328623
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #235,331 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I am a native of Decatur, Georgia. My parents were Virginians. My wife, Claire, is a Connecticut Nutmegger. Two of my three children were born in Birmingham, Alabama, the other in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. My previous academic appointments were at Fairfield University and UAB but since 1990 I have been a professor in the Department of Counseling at Wake Forest University.
I have been president of the American Counseling Association, the American Association of State Counseling Boards, and Chi Sigma Iota (international counseling honorary). I have written about counselor identity, family therapy, groups, counseling theories, ethics, and the creative arts in counseling. I am a licensed professional counselor and continue to practice as a clinician. I have taught counseling courses throughout the United States and in Canada, Estonia, Austria, and Malaysia. In the spring of 2010 I was a Fulbright Specialist to Turkey. Counseling has also taken me as a keynoter or presenter to South Africa, Argentina, Australia, and Germany. I was a mental health responder after 9/11 in New York (Pier 94)and after the Virginia Tech shootings. In the mid-1990s I worked in the homes of Mother Teresa.
When not writing books I enjoy reading history and humor, swimming, walking, and "hanging out" with my family. I am somewhat of an existentialist although I use a variety of approaches in my work as a counselor.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gladding's Book Lives up to its Title, February 28, 2008

By 

Anthony Centore Ph.D. "Anthony Centore Ph.D." (www.ThriveBoston.com (Cambridge, MA)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Counseling: A Comprehensive Profession, Updated Edition (5th Edition) (Paperback)

Samuel Gladding writes an informative book for new counselors called, "Counseling - A Comprehensive Profession." He begins his book with an overview of the historical and professional foundations of counseling. He outlines trends of counseling before 1900 and brings it all the way up to when the book was published in 2007. I enjoyed reading about the highlights of the history of counseling and examining how the profession has changed over time.

Gladding then goes into the personal and professional aspects of counseling and discusses the necessary personality and background of an effective counselor. I was surprised to learn that some counselors go into the profession for the wrong reasons. Some of these who are attracted to the counseling profession appear to have personality and adjustment problems (Gladding, 2007). Other reasons some may go into the field include: emotional distress, vicarious coping, loneliness, isolation, a desire for power, a need for love, or rebellion. I actually really had to examine my own personal motivation for going into the field and make sure that I had the personal qualities of an effective counselor.

Those qualities include: an ability to listen, empathy, understanding, tolerance of intimacy, comfort with power, and an ability to laugh (Gladding, 2007). The author also talked about how to maintain effectiveness as a counselor by going through counseling yourself and engaging in personally fulfilling activities in order to avoid burnout. I think these ideas are important for all professions and they have challenged me to continue personal therapy and daily exercise and mediation so I can maintain my own sense of well being.

Gladding also goes into the ethical and legal aspects of counseling and discusses the differences between the various codes of ethics. This was interesting to read and compare and contrast. I also enjoyed learning about ethics in specific counseling situations.

This book also went into the counseling process and theories. Gladding discussed how to build a counseling relationship with empathy, non-verbal behavior, and effective listening. He went over counselor skills such as: leading, immediately, humor, confrontation, and rehearsal. The book gave a great deal of essential vocabulary and definitions important to the field: counter transference, transference, follow-up, referrals, etc.

Gladding gave a brief overview of each of the theories: psychoanalytic, Adlerian, Humanistic, Behavioral, Cognitive, and Brief therapy. While these were not extensive by any means, they did give an overview and were helpful in understanding the whole picture and where different theories were coming from.

Finally, Gladding ended his book with a discussion of career counseling and different options available. He spent time on the family life and family cycle within marriage and family counseling. He also spent time on elementary, middle, and secondary school counseling in a government facility. This chapter was important to me because I currently work in a school setting and am interested in counseling students in a that type of mode. Finally, he discusses substance abuse counseling and mental health and community counseling.

Gladding's book, Counseling - A Comprehensive Profession was a great overview for the counseling profession. I enjoyed all different aspects and ideas. His book was challenging and made me really evaluate my own ideas, where I was coming from, and what I would like to do in the future. It gave me enough information in many different areas that I found what I was interested in and what I would like to research further. I recommend this book to all those interested in going into the counseling profession.

Online Counseling and Telephone Counseling can be a great way to use many of the theories discussed in Gladding's text. To learn how to provide Online Counseling and Telephone Counseling I highly recommend this guide: The Therapist's Clinical Guide to Online Counseling and Telephone Counseling: The Definitive Training Guide for Clinical Practice

(review provided by Ginger Ernst)

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Counseling: A Comprehensive Profession, Updated Edition, July 14, 2008

By 

Evelyn Cunliffe - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Counseling: A Comprehensive Profession, Updated Edition (5th Edition) (Paperback)

This book has been assigned for my first grad course in family counseling. It is an excellent book, well written and helpful.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gladding's 5th edition, February 6, 2007

By 

Diana Burciaga "mazuka1" (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Counseling: A Comprehensive Profession, Fifth Edition (Paperback)

Great introduction book to the counseling profession. Easy to follow and read. Concepts and ideas well developed and explained so that reading them was a joy.