Customer Reviews

How to Survive and Thrive as a Therapist: Information, Ideas, and Resources for Psychologists in Practice

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I bought this book as a reference for a seminar and was very underimpressed. Though it's 421 pages, the last 306 pages are appendicies of 15 different APA guidelines for treating people of certain populations. Don't get me wrong, these guidelines are important to good practice, they are simply not what I was looking for in a book about thriving as a therapist.
The text of the book, it turns out, is about 112 pages of mildly to moderately useful information. I am returning my copy and looking for something useful as a reference.

This is simply a superb book-- period. This book contains everything you could possibly need to know and then some about starting and maintaining a successful and ethical practice in psychology. Information for which I've had to search far and wide during my 18 years in practice is now right here in the most practical and informative resource imaginable. This amazing resource contains not only all the "must know" information, but also multitudes of tips and tidbits in the "if only I had thought of this earlier" category. Because of the information in this book, I am now able to act pre-emptively to avoid what to me had been unforseen problems and complications down the road. Most, if not all of us in this field have had to learn the hard way. Pope and Vasquez have put an end to that with the publication of this invaluable resource. My only regret is that they didn't write it 18 years earlier! Whether you are a psychology student, intern, practitioner, professor, or mentor to others in the field, this book is simply a "must have" resource.

I know, we all understand the importance of questions, and theirs are good ones. However, some sections of the book (especially Chapter 7) consist almost entirely of strings of questions, with relatively few recommendations. The practice guides and other information are helpful, but are less practical than the information to be found in the second book I bought (after being disappointed in this one), Holly Hunt's excellent book, "Essentials of Private Practice." Her book has much more on practical matters: billing, collections, and office procedures.

Since I'm one of the blurbs on the back of this book I've already made my opinion known, but thought it wouldn't hurt to spread the word to those of you who haven't seen the back cover. This is a real gem; if you're a new therapist you'll need this book to know how to set up and maintain your practice; if you're a grad student, ditto. If you're already in practice this book is like having a great consultant ready to hand at all times. Ken and Melba always do an excellent job; they're simultaneously practical and deeply rooted in the ethics of psychology.

This is a WONDERFUL book! I've been in full-time independent practice for many years but found this book a treasure -- everything from developing a creative business plan and finding an office (and attorney, and professional liability policy) to finding clients and referral sources to all the nuts and bolts of planning, setting up, maintaining, and growing a practice. Great strategies for avoiding problems (e.g., malpractice or ethics complaints; computer foul-ups; billing problems) and how to respond if troubles come. I especially liked the emphasis (and tips) on creating a practice that fits my own wants, needs, and values. Nothing else has been quite so practical in walking me through the steps of what needs to be done, including things I might overlook like self-care. I guess I agree with the review of "Barbara Finn, Licensed Psychologist" below but am trying to find some other way to say it! :)

This is by far the best book on this topic. Hard to live up to the
blurbs,
but this book did it and then some! (Most books have 3-5 blurbs on the
cover -- this one has over 25 on the cover and inside pages from a
number of
APA presidents, some of the biggest names in the field, and people who
have
spent their careers "in the trenches" and know what it takes to build
and
grow a therapy practice.) The 15 appendixes with formal guidelines
from
APA, CPA, etc., alone would be worth the price of this book, but it
gives
you *practical* guidance on how to do everything from making a business
plan, finding an attorney, finding malpractice insurance, finding an
office,
and finding clients, to self-care, how to respond to formal complaints
and
law suits, how to use computers and the internet, and how to prepare a
professional will. If you're in practice or want to be, this is THE
book!

Very common sense information is basically all this book provides. That and not give any helpful information instead telling you to refer to state laws as they differ state to state. Don't waste your time or money.

I agree with most of the reviewers that this is a very well written book with lots of excellent information. But... Arguably, THE most important factor in being successful in private practice is having enough clients. As has been noted, there are many marketing issues that aren't addressed in any detail. Surprisingly, next to no information and suggestions are made about having a website, other than to have it done for you. To be fair, the book was published in 2005. Marketing has changed in the last several years, as have companies that let you easily create your own site. One thing I did find helpful were a listing of APA Division of Independent Treatment Guides. I also agree with another previous reviewer that the book would have been much better with more meat, rather than 75% of the book being various APA Guidelines, even though the APA is the publisher. Hopefully, this book will be updated and have much more concrete marketing suggestions and less appenices.

How did I survive 46 years as a therapist without this book? It is chock full of
essential information and advice that will help me thrive for the next 46
years.--Thomas Greening, Ph.D., ABPP, Independent Practice; editor, Journal
of Humanistic Psychology

This book discusses all of the ins and outs of developing your own practice. Few books tackle all of the practical issues and this book did a wonderful and thorough job. Why make these mistakes when you can learn from others? Great read!!!