Introduction to Counseling: An Art and Science Perspective (2nd Edition) [Hardcover]

Michael S. Nystul (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0205350941 | ISBN-13: 978-0205350940 | Publication Date: June 5, 2002 | Edition: 2

Introduction to Counseling provides an overview of counseling and the helping professions from the perspective of art and science. The second edition has been reorganized into three sections: An overview of counseling and the counseling process; developing a personal approach to counseling from a multicultural perspective; and special approaches and settings. The book stays true to its original focus by using the concept of art and science as a unifying theme. The new edition also revisits the topics of multicultural counseling and diversity issues such as gender, culture, and sexual orientation in each chapter, communicating how multiculturalism can be integrated into all aspects of counseling rather than being viewed as a separate entity. For anyone interested in counseling and related issues.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Introduction to Counseling provides an overview of counseling and the helping professions from the perspective of art and science. The second edition has been reorganized into three sections: An overview of counseling and the counseling process; developing a personal approach to counseling from a multicultural perspective; and special approaches and settings. The book stays true to its original focus by using the concept of art and science as a unifying theme. The new edition also revisits the topics of multicultural counseling and diversity issues such as gender, culture, and sexual orientation in each chapter, communicating how multiculturalism can be integrated into all aspects of counseling rather than being viewed as a separate entity. For anyone interested in counseling and related issues.

About the Author

Michael S. Nystul received his Ph.D in counseling from Oregon State University in 1974.  He has worked as a professor for 30 years and is currently Professor Emeritus from New Mexico State University .  Professor Nystul has over 100 publications including two textbooks. He has worked in numerous clinical settings and is currently a psychologist for the Deming, New Mexico School District.

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 510 pages
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon; 2 edition (June 5, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0205350941
• ISBN-13: 978-0205350940
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,991,006 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:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Introductory Book to Counseling, February 13, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Introduction to Counseling: An Art and Science Perspective (Hardcover)

Nystul's "Introduction to Counseling: An Art and Science Perspective" is an excellent book for the beginning counselor either at the undergraduate level or the graduate level (we all start somewhere). I was assigned this book for my first Master's level class and it provided an excellent background into my chosen field. When I read the book, it cured a lot of questions that I had about counseling. I learned a lot of information that I either did not know or realize. Specifically, the book not only introduces the reader to counseling techniques, but also provides an overview of theoretical approaches, ethics and legal issues, assessment and diagnosis, and diversity issues. In addition, this book gives information on counseling approaches with various populations (i.e. child, group, family, school, career and mental health etc). Also, Nystul (1999) provided background information as well as practical techniques for each theory that he explained. Moreover, this book gives a superb rendition of various types of counselors and the description of duties that they perform. My favorite parts of the book are the "personal notes" where the author gives a story or example to go along with his discussion of a subject. The personal notes provide a great modality for the reader to look at a concept in a realistic or life-like manner. Most importantly, the book is organized extremely well and makes reading a lot easier than most textbooks; it utilizes pictures, diagrams, charts and etc. to get the point across in an effective and efficient manner. As a graduate student who utilized this book, I would highly recommend this book to professors, counselors and counseling students. Overall, it is an excellent source of background counseling information and for additional resources to aid in a person's development as a counselor. I almost forgot, the reason that I gave the book a 4 star rating and not a five is because general information about counseling can be quite dry reading material, it all depends on the individual reading it. Nonetheless, as mentioned previously, the author uses various techniques to help the reader absorb the necessary material (to become a counselor) in the most painless manner. Thus, the book gets my 4 stars.

3.0 out of 5 stars good, September 19, 2011

By 

emclark - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Introduction to Counseling: An Art and Science Perspective (4th Edition) (Hardcover)

Good but not fully described. The class key to the book was not attached with the "New in package book", I was disappointed with the lack of clarity.

5.0 out of 5 stars great, February 27, 2011

By 

kim - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Introduction to Counseling: An Art and Science Perspective (4th Edition) (Hardcover)

I received the book but it turned out to be the exam copy. But they fixed the issue by providing some sort of credit.