On Being a Therapist

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An updated revision of Jeffrey Kottler's classic book reveals the new realities and inner experiences of therapeutic practice today

For more than 25 years On Being a Therapist has inspired generations of mental health professionals to explore the most private and sacred aspects of their work helping others. In this new edition, he explores many of the challenges that therapists face related to increased technology, surprising research, the Internet, advances in theory and technique, as well as stress in the international and global economy, managed care bureaucracy, patients with anxiety and depression from unemployment, dysfunctional families, poor education, poverty, parenting issues, often court mandated. Consequently, there's a wealth of new information that explores many forbidden subjects that are rarely admitted, much less talked about openly.

-Goes deeper than ever before into the inner world of therapist's hopes and fears

-Written by Jeffrey Kottler the "conscience of the profession" for his willingness to be so honest, authentic, and courageous

-New chapters explore dealing with failures, reluctant patients, how clients change therapists, and more

There is also increased focus on the therapist's role and responsibility to promote issues of social justice, human rights, and systemic changes within the community and world at large.

"This is one of those rare and exciting books that reaches deep into the heart of a profession and discloses not only its day-to-day workings but also the very personal satisfaction, problems, doubts, and joys its practitioners experience."-Booklist

"Written in an engaging style and filled with examples from the writings of well-known therapists. It should be required reading for those considering entering the profession."-Choice

Jeffrey A. Kottler is professor, Department of Counseling, California State University, Fullerton. He is the author or coauthor of more than eighty books, including the New York Times best seller The Last Victim, Divine Madness, Creative Breakthroughs in Therapy, and Changing People's Lives While Transforming Your Own. He is also head of the Madhav Ghimire Foundation, which provides scholarships for at-risk girls in Nepal.