Helping Skills for Counselors and Health Professionals

Stephanie S. J. Drcar, PhD, is an assistant professor of counselor education at Cleveland State University, where she trains students to become professional counselors.Kathryn C. MacCluskie, EdD, is a counselor educator with expertise in clinical skill development. In addition to her academic appointment, she sees clients in a small private practice.Dakota King-White, PhD, is an associate professor and coordinator of school counseling at Cleveland State University. Her research focuses on developing mental health models in systems from a trauma-informed lens.

"In a world in which we often assume people skills cannot be taught, this text provides an evidence-based overview of how to build, maintain, and optimize relationships in health professions education and practice." Aimee K. Gardner, PhD, professor and associate dean, Baylor College of Medicine"This book should be added to every graduate course seeking to grow culturally competent and self-reflective mental health practitioners. Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, this text delivers a culturally accountable framework that enhances self-awareness and supports practitioners’ efforts to integrate cultural considerations as they develop their helping style and counseling skills."Layla Kurt, PhD, associate professor, University of Dayton"In a decade ushered in by a pandemic and honed in an active crucible that exposed the impact of systemic racism, trauma, and disregard for science, this textbook is a timely antidote and a classic primer for helping skills instruction. This collection of eleven chapters is written clearly and authentically, with expert integration of trauma informed care, cultural humility, and ethical practice into the presentation of evidence-based empathic helping skills. Sophisticated enough for graduate classes and clinical settings, this book is also a valuable gem to reach undergraduates seeking skills in how to build relationships. It offers a rare and buffet of theories and applications, from Rogers to Prochaska to Bronfenbrenner. This is a truly comprehensive and accessible text, perfect for use in college, in clinics, and by anyone wishing to learn how to better connect with people across settings, populations, and histories."Anne Sullivan-Soydan, ScD, clinical associate professor, Boston University, Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

• Section 1: Helping in a Complex World 1. Introduction to Helping 2. Ethical Helping Relationships 3. Helping in a Pluralistic Society 4. Human Development and the Helping Process Section 2: Techniques for Helping 5. Helping Behaviors: Nonverbal and Paraverbal Skills 6. Helping Behaviors: Verbal Skills to Encourage 7. Helping Behaviors: Verbal Skills to Understand and Connect 8. Helping Behaviors: Verbal Skills to Invite Exploration Section 3: Putting Helping Skills to Work 9. Basic Mental Health Assessment 10. Evidence-Based Practice 11. Helping Skill Integration