This text is part of a unique learning system—consisting of a text, a video, and a student workbook—designed to develop and enhance the core skills and strategies necessary to become an effective therapist.

Becoming an Effective Therapist describes and illustrates the skills and strategies that experienced, effective therapists use in everyday therapeutic encounters with individuals, couples, and families. While some background information is included, such as the theory supporting the specific skills and some historical and contextual information, it is kept to a minimum. Rather, the focus is on developing competency in the core counseling and psychotherapy skills that will contribute to the learner's effectiveness as a therapist.