Counseling Primer [Paperback]

Leonard A. Austin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1998 | ISBN-10: 1560326972 | ISBN-13: 978-1560326977 | Edition: 1

Designed to bring synthesis to counselling students' entire course of study, this primer covers the information from all CACREP-required core courses. It also prepares final semester master's students for their comprehensive written and oral examinations and the National Counsellors Examination. The book also serves as recourse manual for practicing mental health professionals. It includes theories, terms, ethical codes, tips on taking exams and sample forms.

Product Details

• Paperback: 376 pages
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis; 1 edition (December 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560326972
• ISBN-13: 978-1560326977
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,214,065 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From Back Cover ~, September 3, 2005

By 

Sandi3147 (Lubbock, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Counseling Primer (Paperback)

"The Counseling Primer" answers the basic question "What does a counselor or therapist need to know in order to become a Licensed Professional Counselor?" Containing all the basic information that is taught in counseling and therapy classes in major university across the United States; the book places a special emphasis on those courses which contain content found on the National Counseling Exam. A well-organized study guide, it encompasses the coursework master's-level students are expected to know in order to graduate. Chapters on how to take counseling exams and how to write research papers are included, along with a special chapter which gives definitions of the many terms used in today's counseling profession.

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive, highly informative and educational yet clear and concise., January 31, 2012

By 

Cynthia Danute Cekauskas, LCSW "Lithuanian Am... (Savannah, Georgia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Counseling Primer (Paperback)

I haven't read a book as comprehensive synoposising the profession of counseling since I studied for my own licensure exams in 1987. At that time the book that most helped prepared me was Social Work Treatment - Interlocking Theoretical Approaches (Theories, Thought Systems and Intervention Strategies) [Third Edition]. That book went into greater depth but like Counseling Primer was able to successful describe the many theoretical approaches and types of treatment used to work with various populations of clients. Counseling Primer even though it does mention Masters Social Workers (MSWs) seems to be written more for Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), Psychologists and Marriage and Family Therapists.

Chapter 1 of this book defines The Counseling Relationship including the importance of establishing rapport, counselor's values, who comes to counseling, what brings people to counseling and stages of change. Chapter 2 Theories of Counseling provides an excellent summary of a number of important therapies that have been used over the years. Chapter 3 is devoted to Group Work and Chapter 4 to Family and Couples Counseling.

The importance of establishing a diagnosis as described in Chapter 5 Diagnosis was also stressed in this book. The author acknowledges that, although many therapists have an aversion to what in essence constitutes a labeling of their patients by diagnostic code, it has become a necessity for insurance reimbursement purposes.

Chapter 6 details different Tests, Measurements and Research and Chapter 7 Professional Affiliations. My only criticim of this book comes in Chapter 7. Although the author lists the American Counseling Association (ACA), American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT), National Academy for Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselors (NACCMHC) and the American Psychological Association (APA), nowhere does he list the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) which is the professional affiliaion of the nation's social workers. Addtionally under Types of Mental Health Professionals the author lists seven (7) types of counselors (certified school, chemical dependency, licensed professional, marriage and family, measurement, pastoral and rehabilitation)and twelve (12) types of psychologists (clinical, counseling, developmental, educational, engineering, forensic, health, industrial or organizational, measurement, rural, school and sports)he barely even only has ONE listing for Social Workers. He makes no distinction between a newly graduated Masters Social Worker (MSW) who must work under supervision and one who is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) fully capable of being an independent, private practicioner. Licensed Clinical Social Workers also work in many diverse settings and can be as varied in their practice as can psychologists.

In Chapter 8 the author discusses Ethical and Legal Issues; Chapter 9 Career Counseling; Chapter 10 Lifespan Issues; Chapter 11 Human Sexuality; Chapter 12 Spirtuality and Religion; Chapter 14 A Brief History of Counseling and Chapter 15 Consulation. I think the author was very thoughtful to include Chapter 16 Taking Examinations to help prepare the future licensed mental health professional to take their licensure exams. Chapter 17 has to do with the writing of Research Papers and Chapter 18 is a huge Glossary of terms used throughout the book.

All in all I was very impressed by this book. What an outstanding resource for the novice mental health practicioner seeking full licensure as well as a great review for the veteran psychotherapist with many years of experience.