This is the only comprehensive text to focus on the development of practical interviewing and counselling skills for Master's-level mental health counselling students. It is structured around the goals established by the CACREP's 2009 document on standards for MHC programmes and uniquely encompasses both theory and practise from the perspectives of a diverse array of theoretical schools and practise strategies. The text emphasises the importance of multicultural facets of interviewing and counselling throughout, challenging students to examine their own backgrounds and biases as they develop professionally.

The book's hands-on guidance regarding interviewing and counselling skills, along with its embrace of different therapeutic modalities, will enable students to learn how to provide care to clients that is tailored to their specific needs. The text eschews a microskills approach, which can limit understanding of a patient's problems, in favour of one that rests on a strong theoretical foundation, an emphasis on cognition and affect and consideration of multicultural diversity. Each chapter includes a highlighted section that draws students' attention to topics related to diversity and strategies for working with clients from a variety of populations. Issues related to race, ethnicity, immigration and country of origin are highlighted along with age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, language and physical and cognitive abilities. The use of case examples from multiple theoretical orientations offers a realistic view of what actually occurs in a consulting room. The book also addresses working with clients who have serious emotional or psychological difficulties and covers evidenced-based practise, assessment, diagnosis and when and how to terminate treatment. An instructor's guide and PowerPoint slides are also included.