Psychologists, psychiatrists, psychology professors, research scientists, and many more professionals from the field of psychology came together to make this a great guide for students like myself and others just beginning in the field. 

Because the book was created with students and young professionals in mind, it reads like a how-to guide for building a career. Each section is written by an expert in that area, which really gives the reader a sense that he or she is learning from the best.

Initially, I thought the book would go into detail about how to conduct a therapy practice. I was very wrong. There are a lot of other options available to those of us interested in psychology, aside from traditional therapy. The book covers other career paths, including research, working in a lab, psychiatry, psychotherapy, and workplace psychology.

Contributors also give tips on applying to graduate school, how to find a job or an internship in between college and grad school, and how to get your research published. There are helpful references at the end of every section.

Mentor is an excellent resource for anyone who is serious about pursuing a career in psychology. It’s easy to read, straightforward, and gathers expertise from disparate subfields. I’m sure I’ll be using it as I continue my education.

The only real drawback is its breadth. At times, the sheer amount of information was overwhelming. If you know what you want to do in psychology, some of the chapters may be totally irrelevant to you. For readers who are already sure of their path, I’d recommend finding the book at a library and looking only at the pertinent sections. Otherwise, you may be paying for information you don’t need.

The Portable Mentor: An Expert Guide to a Successful Career in Psychology, Second Edition
Springer, September, 2012
Paperback, 410 pages
$59.91 

Let’s say you eat well and exercise regularly. When does it become apparent to you that you’re living longer? This effect may be even more pronounced when the thing you’re trying to prevent applies to an entire population in a realm like mental health. Without mindful attention to the need for prevention, we can easily lose sight of its importance, becoming overburdened instead with the ever-increasing need to pay attention to remedial efforts. And research does back up the contention that the less attention we pay to prevention, the more our attention is required to deal with the effects of mental illness.
Of course, it’s hard to pay attention to prevention if you haven’t had a thorough review of what it entails, which is why counseling psychologists will be happy to see the latest handbook offered to the field by Oxford University Press.

Oxford handbooks are well known for their high-quality, comprehensive research reviews and The Oxford Handbook of Prevention in Counseling Psychology, edited by Elizabeth M. Vera, is no exception.

Calling on the expertise of the field’s leading researchers, the handbook represents yet another rich addition to the Oxford Library of Psychology. This is an especially long-awaited one, however: The topic of prevention in mental health has seldom received the focused attention it deserves. Now, considering the advances in understanding positive psychological development and resiliency that have come to light by way of new tools available to neuroscientists and other researchers, the time seems ripe to give prevention a central role in counseling psychology—and perhaps also to give counseling psychology a central role in prevention.

The handbook’s editor, Elizabeth M. Vera, is a professor of counseling psychology at Loyola University in Chicago whose research background has focused on prevention-relevant topic areas such as social justice, multicultural competence, and resiliency. The other contributing authors are equally well-suited to the subject matter—they approach it from a perspective that acknowledges the complex ties between prevention and social justice while calling for coordinated, evidence-based interventions that are well-grounded in theory and draw on cutting-edge science.

This is especially important considering that over the past two decades neuroscience research has contributed some fundamental support to conceptualizations of prevention such as that of George Albee, a clinical psychologist and former APA president who argued passionately for prevention during the second half of the 20th century. Describing Albee’s perspective, Vera, along with her colleague Megan K. Polanin, writes that “Albee championed the belief that large-scale societal factors (e.g., poverty, racism, sexism) were largely responsible for the emergence of mental illness…. Thus, the overarching reason we need prevention research and practice, in both society and in the field of psychology, is to identify and then eliminate negative social conditions that result in personal dysfunction.”

Vera and Polanin go on to make very clear how different Albee’s perspective is from the more common one today, which is, they write, “to treat those individuals, one by one, who are tainted by the existence of these toxic societal conditions.” In other words, we are currently stuck in a place where we pay attention to the problem too late.

The standard argument against prevention once relied on genetics and a “survival of the fittest” mentality to explain social inequities. In other words, environment didn’t cause mental illness—mental illness was caused by genetic factors that resulted in lower socio-economic status. What modern genetics has illuminated, however, is that environmental factors are an important determinant in whether certain genes are “expressed” or activated, and neuroscience research has helped us understand how this relates to psychological processes. No longer is it enough to say that only nature or only environment is responsible for mental illness.

This explains why some, but not all, people in any given social stratum might succumb to the adverse psychological effects of poverty and prejudice while others don’t as much—and it underscores the importance of ensuring a nurturing environment for all socio-economic groups. It’s a critical issue to understand vis-a-vis prevention, but as John L. Romano points out in chapter 3 of the handbook, it also raises some ethical questions. Should we screen people for genetic weaknesses so we can intervene, or would that invite stigma and bias toward those who are identified as at-risk? On the other hand, he says, “denying prevention interventions to those at risk also creates an ethical dilemma.”

Other contributions of genetics and neuroscience are more straightforward. “For example,” Romano points out, “understanding [through neuroscience] how the brain processes rewards and punishments associated with risk behaviors may result in better methods to identify individuals most likely to engage in risk behaviors.” And as neuroscience research is integrated with attachment theory, we gain valuable insight into how environment may affect risk behavior, as well as the prevalence of social issues such as intimate partner violence (IPV). As the authors of chapter 16 point out, attachment theorist John Bowlby observed that “a secure connection to one or more primary caregivers established in infancy and early childhood was imperative for a child to form positive perceptions of self, environments, and all other interpersonal relationships.” Indeed, they add, “research has demonstrated that male perpetrators of IPV and female partners of abusive men are more likely to be insecurely attached.”

The handbook fulfills its purpose with the usual aplomb of the Oxford Library: It effectively reviews the history of prevention in counseling psychology, fundamental philosophical concerns, best practices, existing prevention programs, and future directions in prevention. But this should not be considered all there is to be said on the topic. With the steady stream of new research coming from fields that are relevant to prevention—including neuroscience, genetics and positive psychology—this book will warrant faithful updating in future editions. Nevertheless, this volume is a decisive step forward on the way to encouraging mental health professionals to include prevention in their daily activities, their advocacy efforts, and in training curriculums.

The Oxford Handbook of Prevention in Counseling Psychology
Oxford University Press, USA, September, 2012
Hardcover, 560 pages
$175 

This is a long reference book, and one not intended for the layperson. However, it turns out that it works quite well as a foundational text for those of us who are not research psychologists but readers simply wishing to learn about psychology. Each chapter follows a general pattern of explaining the foundational theories in each field, discussing ways these theories can be integrated, or providing new theories or frameworks for integration.

Take the book’s coverage of the Big Five Theory. The “Big Five” is a personality theory that provides a way to categorize all personality traits into five areas: extraversion, conscientiousness, openness to experience, agreeableness, and emotional stability. When researchers used it to analyze what makes leaders effective, however, the results were mixed. In the chapter on leadership, Daan van Knippenberg states that “the relationship between personality and leadership effectiveness is modest at best.” Instead, he proposes that social psychology models work better than the Big Five Theory because they analyze leaders “by taking a person-in-situation approach to leadership effectiveness.” Thus, although personality traits such as extraversion may affect one’s ability to lead, he says, we can gain a more complete perspective by analyzing leadership performance in the context of a given situation.

In a book that covers topics as disparate as motivation, prejudice, friendship, leadership, relationships, helping behavior, and antisocial behavior—each topic explored from the two perspectives of personality psychology and social psychology—a lay reader is likely to find several topics of interest. For example, in a chapter on multiculturalism, Veronica Benet-Martinez describes how the study of multiculturalism can be beneficial to both personality and social psychologists. I found her definition of multiculturalism interesting because it is so inclusive: “those who are mixed-race and mixed-ethnic, those who have lived in more than one country…those reared with at least one other culture in addition to the dominant mainstream culture, and those in intercultural relationships.” There is no commonly agreed-upon definition of the term, she tells us.

Much of what psychologists have learned in the last few years has been based on new measuring techniques, including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG). In a chapter called “Neuroscience Approaches in Social and Personality Psychology,” David M. Amodio and Eddie Harmon-Jones discuss how these relatively new techniques measure brain activity, and describe several theories that have been proposed based on these methods. One theory, that of the mirror neuron system, posits “a brain network devoted to understanding other people through their actions.” Amodio and Harmon-Jones state that the term mirror neurons refers “loosely to areas of the brain that are activated both when an individual observes the behavior of another person, and when one performs the same behavior”—i.e., when one mimics another’s actions.

Out of curiosity, I tried a search of PubMed for mirror neuron, and it brought up more than a thousand articles. I found it interesting to consider how much attention mirror neuron research has attracted, considering what Amodio and Harmon-Jones say about the theory. They analyze it as having “intuitive appeal” but state that studies question the validity of the idea, concluding that “more research will be needed” since “so many social interactions often require complementary responses…rather than mimicry.” Newer theories, they tell us, such as mirror-touch synesthesia (a phenomenon thought to be caused by mirror neurons), have been based on what may still be an unproven system.

In the final chapter of this 880-page book, you discover that the editors, Kay Deaux and Mark Snyder, never thought you’d make it. “Few if any of you who are reading this closing statement will have taken the full journey through the volume that we as editors have taken,” they write. “Much more likely you have selectively dipped into the volume, visiting topics with which you have considerable familiarity to see how a combined personality and social perspective is represented and perhaps also sampling some less familiar areas that pique your curiosity and invite you to become acquainted with new perspectives.”

As one who read the entire book, I will say that whether or not the authors met their intended goal of providing frameworks to help the two fields work together (and surely scientists will find utility in the proposed modes for integrating the two), their work has value as a summation of research from both areas.

The Oxford Handbook of Personality and Social Psychology
Oxford University Press, February, 2012
Hardcover, 880 pages
$195

Though the author died in 2008, her publisher, W. W. Norton & Company, has released a new edition this year, this time with a companion CD. The book is written mostly for those practitioners either in training or early in practice, and it remains quite relevant.

Lukas writes clearly and concisely, offering quick yet interesting insights. She helps readers understand why assessment is important, then provides skills to improve one’s interviewing skills. There are two goals for the first interview with adult self-referred clients, Lukas writes: allowing the client to tell their story in their own words, and letting the client know that you understand their point of view. She reminds clinicians to meet the client where they are instead of going by their own pre-set agenda for the session.

In assessing a new client’s mental state, Lukas writes, one should observe appearance, speech, emotions, thought processes, perceptions, capacities, and attitudes. However, observing mental state is not enough: One must also assess a client’s medical history — something Lukas says clinicians tend to overlook. The book provides templates for write-ups of both the mental state and medical history aspects of the assessment.

Lukas also provides guidance on assessments in situations beyond that of the adult self-referred client. She discusses the distinction between systemic family therapy and simply seeing families, as well as special considerations for interviewing children.

In a separate chapter, she helps therapists navigate clinical interviewing with couples, reminding us to never assume that a couple wants to stay together just because they are seeking therapy. A significant portion of the book is also dedicated to the assessment of safety issues such as self-harm, substance abuse, and child neglect.

Perhaps one of the most useful aspects of Lukas’s work is that she makes it a point to address the ways assessments must differ depending on the client. This, paired with her templates and tips for write-ups, makes her book a useful reference for any mental health practitioner.

Where to Start and What to Ask: An Assessment Handbook
W. W. Norton & Company, May, 2012
Paperback, 208 pages
$29.95

Yet rarely do we find a book that is meant to help the helper. Robert J. Wicks’ The Inner Life of the Counselor is designed to do just that.

Being a practitioner can certainly lead to many life-affirming rewards. There is an almost intrinsic sense of joy that comes with helping others overcome the troubles life may throw at them. However, being a practitioner can also lead to burnout. It is not easy listening to stories of trauma or dealing with clients who may have outbursts of anger or sadness on a daily basis. Dr. Wicks’ book is a vital resource we can use to continually reinvigorate ourselves and provide the best possible care for our clients.

As the title suggests, The Inner Life of the Counselor is meant to provide tools that can lead to growth through introspection. Dr. Wicks states in his introduction that he hopes to help practitioners take note of their lives “more gently and clearly” and “fully embrace through practice those elements that can enhance maintaining a healthier perspective.” He bases his advice on a combination of his own personal experience (he has over 30 years in the field) and studies in areas such as mindfulness and positive psychology, as well as classical spiritual and philosophical ideas. In essence, his book is meant to help counselors keep a sense of peace and purpose among the relentless whirlwind of patient crises, insurance reimbursement headaches, and supervisory meetings that at times threaten to overwhelm.

In each of the book’s six chapters, Dr. Wicks explores a different area of mindfulness and how counselors can incorporate it into their lives. His aim is not to solve our problems, but rather to guide us to a deeper understanding of our lives and our work. Each chapter concludes with a series of questions to prompt reflection. Dr. Wicks gives plenty of food for thought, using quotes and excerpts ranging from Henry Thoreau to Chinese proverbs.

Of course, when it comes to a book such as this, the reader must wonder: Are the ideas presented actually useful in everyday life? It’s one thing to make a book full of “inspirational” quotes, but something else entirely to use such quotes as a framework for ideas that help us cultivate a better life. Luckily, The Inner Life of the Counselor definitely falls into the latter category. For instance, in the first chapter, “Creating Space Within,” Dr. Wicks discusses the importance of incorporating silence and solitude in counselors’ lives so that they may develop a greater sense of “humble gratitude” and become more in tune with their inner selves. He suggests that spaces of “alonetime” need to take place throughout the day — before work, between clients, as well as after the day’s business is done — and he gives advice on how to accomplish this amidst the chaotic schedules that the helping professions often necessitate. In Chapter 5, the author even provides a thorough “Self-Care Questionnaire for Clinicians” that helps the reader see which areas in their life they may benefit from working on.

As a mental health professional myself, I found The Inner Life of the Counselor to be a great resource for inspiration and personal growth. Though the book lasts barely 200 pages, it contains such a wealth of ideas that the reader will be busy for a long time thinking about it and utilizing its suggestions. New practitioners should read the book so that they may prevent future burnout, and more seasoned professionals may find that it simply revives them.

Being a practitioner comes with certain unavoidable stresses regardless of one’s job title or place of employment. Yet those of us who serve others owe it not just to ourselves but also to our clients to make sure that we pay special attention to nurturing our own well-being. Otherwise, we will not be successful in our care — and a vicious cycle may ensue. All helping professionals would do themselves a service by picking up Wicks’ book so that they may continue to provide care in a way that is both meaningful to them and those they help.

The Inner Life of the Counselor
Wiley, August, 2012
Hardcover, 203 pages
$24.74

As humans, when we are stressed, we find a way to cope. This helps survive. Identifying how people do something that is such second nature can be challenging. In his new book, Psychological Adaptive Mechanisms: Ego Defense Recognition in Practice and Research, Beresford’s stated goal is “to present a simple, consistent, usable model and method [for] recognizing human psychological adaptive mechanisms.”

As an apologetically  academic work, Psychological Adaptive Mechanisms may not be the best book for someone looking to casually learn a little bit more about this subject. Psychological Adaptive Mechanisms is written for academics and psychology students, not for people with a general interest looking to bone up on this topic.

That said, for those in academia, as well as those with a serious interest in psychology, Psychological Adaptive Mechanisms presents a compelling argument that is well-written, well-outlined and well-supported.

The basis of psychological adaptive mechanisms is worth devoting a few lines. Beresford writes:

“As an act of life, [humans] engage in a ritual that draws them close together and itself allows for a greater range of freedom in living their own lives. In this sense, although not negating the inevitability of demise, they come to terms with it in a way that allows them to function… the ultimate goal of successful psychological adaptation is to increase adaptive options to include the most flexible, creative, and therefore most effective actions available to any single person at any given point in time.”

The endgame of psychological adaptation, like physical adaptation, is survival, or, as Beresford puts it, “effective human functioning.”

Early on, Beresford outlines human adaptation and explains the need for it. In the second chapter, “The Clinical Model,” he describes his unique model for recognizing psychological adaptations. Admittedly an elementary representation, Beresford presents two drawn figures: the first is a large circle, which represents “the experience of the Self.” Within the circle is a smaller circle, labeled “ego.” External to the larger circle (the Self), is “Stress,” as perceived by the ego.

The second figure appears identical yet it depicts the smaller circle becoming increasingly larger as well as elongated: “As stress perturbs the ego, it generates anxiety, defined as a sense of either impending disaster or doom.” This feeling is uncomfortable. It will not necessarily cause disaster or doom, but it can make us believe it will. In order to maintain “effective human functioning,” we must adapt. We must find a way to relieve the stress.

Occurring on an unconscious level, this is not something which most of us control. Meditation and stress-relief exercises are of use. As conscious choices, they play little or no role in this scenario.

Tracing stress back to its most primitive of uses, Beresford writes: “For humans, anxiety — that subjective sense of either doom or disaster — can be considered the subjective human equivalent of the fight-or-flight discomfort that occurs in less neurally complex organisms.”

In this sense, stress is of obvious benefit, for “were anxiety not at all present in the human…as part of his or her biological and psychological makeup, no physiological reaction or fear would attach itself to the presence” of impending disaster. Humans would be unable to survive.

The understanding the basis of psychological adaptation is vital to understand Beresford’s model as well as why and how it differs from other approaches.

As a lay person, I cannot judge Beresford’s conclusions. What I can say, however, is that Beresford’s writing is clear and understandable. Psychological Adaptive Mechanisms is an admirable book and I believe it’s safe to say its worth will not be downplayed.

Psychological Adaptive Mechanisms: Ego Defense Recognition in Practice and Research
Thomas P. Beresford
Oxford University Press, USA, June 8, 2012
Hardcover, 338 pages
$59.99

In her book, Campion discloses the events leading up to every parent’s worst nightmare: the death of her daughter, Luce. Campion describes the heartbreak of witnessing her daughter’s descent into depression and drug use, and the helplessness and guilt she felt as both a psychiatrist and a mother. Sshe and her family were unable to prevent Luce from the early death which seemed inevitable from a young age. In her painfully honest account, Campion also explores her history and that of her family in trying to figure out what may have contributed to Luce’s death.

“Luce looked at me straight on. ‘It really sucks. I get the manic-depressive gene from you, and the weird drug reactions from Dad.’”

Campion talks of her own battle with depression and reveals her youthful suicide attempts. She also talks of her husband’s alcoholism, and the trials her family has endured because of addiction and the trauma of losing Luce. Campion confesses that she didn’t fully realize the scale of the problem until it hit her own family:

I didn’t know then that major depression strikes about one in ten women every year. According to U.S. public health data, among adults experiencing a major depressive episode, fifty-six percent thought that it would be better if they were dead, forty percent considered suicide, fifteen percent made a plan, and ten percent an attempt. Suicide is the eleventh leading cause of death among adults and accounts for well over thirty thousand deaths per year. I would learn only later that what we now call bipolar and unipolar major depressive disorders had surfaced with regularity in my family for several generations.

Much of the book comes across as Campion’s attempt to make sense of her loss and move on from it. Guilt is a recurring theme throughout the book. As Campion recalls trying to help her daughter, she comments that “Every decision I’d made during her illness could be used to flagellate myself.” Any parent will be able to identify with the agony Campion faces as she repeatedly asks herself what she could have done differently.

Looking back on that time, the hardest thing to do is recapture how dense my ‘not-knowing’ was. From today’s vantage point, it is hard – no, impossible – to ignore what would be revealed a few months later in the full-blown manifestation of Luce’s manic-depressive illness. I want to flog myself for not considering what seems so plain in hindsight: her excessive confidence, single-minded purpose, intense energy, and powers of persuasion could indicate a manic episode. Why didn’t they raise my suspicions? Some psychiatrist! Or was I, her mother, just too tempted to welcome her new bright optimism, focus, and appetite for life after years of confusing doubt… The guilt of failing my own child swells up in me like a flooding river, dirty and cold, hauling dangerous debris.

The book serves not only as an incredibly revealing, painfully honest account of a parent’s loss but as a reminder of the importance of family. It is clear from the start how important Campion’s family is to her, and how much the family relies on each other throughout their struggles:

Every single one of us had been traumatized… I thought the best way to heal was to give each other warmth, to huddle close, in order to withstand the real world’s harshness.

Indeed, Campion examines in great depth the effect the tragedy had on each family member. It is this systemic analysis of her story, taking into account the role of each individual family member, which doubtless evolves out of Campion’s professional experience as a psychiatrist. Campion wonders how and why the family were able to stay so strong and reliant on each other during their experiences, and ponders the importance of attachment:

Equally mysterious, and possibly closer to the truth: I have a strong affiliative need that I think is hardwired in most humans and other mammals, expressed in loyalty to their tribe or pride. As if the family was the basic organism whose survival may be more essential than any individual’s, the whole being greater than the sum of the parts.

While this powerful memoir will appeal to anyone who has lost a close family member, it also serves as an important reminder to all mental health professionals that they are not immune from any of the conditions which might plague their clients.

Did I think I was any better than those patients and their families, that I deserved to be spared? By virtue of what? I knew better, except that, deep down, I must have hoped that all the energy I had spent battling addiction and mental illness for years would count in my favor. As if I could bargain with fate, buy protection for my contributions. But destiny is crueler than any mafia goon.

This will be familiar territory for any professionals who might be wounded healers themselves, particularly those who have dealt with their own loss, trauma, addiction, or depression while still attempting to see clients. Campion talks of her own battle to carry on working, until she realizes that it would be unethical, and refers her clients elsewhere:

Another patient told me, on the tenth anniversary of her own suicide attempt, ‘I have been able to resist all those years because you’ve been on my side. But since your daughter died, you’re not as strong and I think I’ll kill myself.’ Her words stabbed me, but she was right and I convinced her to work with another doctor.

Although the book is at times so searingly honest that some readers may find it hard to take, this is ultimately a story of redemption. Writing this book undoubtedly was cathartic for Campion, and a therapeutic means for her to reach some kind of closure over these awful experiences. In the end, it is the simple capacity for happiness and hope which seem to have saved Campion from the same demise as her daughter:

I have been blessed with an innate ability for joy that bubbles easily in me except during the severe depressions I’ve had four times in my life. Even after months of low moods, I recovered completely and regained a buoyancy that reminds me of my grandmother, who soothed us with bedtime stories during the war… I have worked hard to deal with traumas and temper my neurotic traits, but that inborn undeserved talent for enjoying life is a gift I can only give thanks for and celebrate… Luce had no such luck.

Hope triumphs, even through the unknowable. And, for that, we must all be grateful.

Through the Unknowable: Family Life with Depression, Alcohol and Love
By Elsa Campion, MD
Vantage Press:  March 16, 2012
Paperback, 162 pages
$13.95

We asked several clinicians to describe their mottos. Perhaps their tenets will stir you to take the time to think about the words you’d like to live by.

Joyce Marter, LCPC, psychotherapist and owner of Urban Balance, LLC:

In life, we are all dealt a different hand of hardships and blessings. We each have a unique life experience that will help us learn, grow and develop emotionally, relationally and spiritually. We must each honor our personal life history to gain awareness of how our earlier experiences have shaped and molded us into who we are today.

We have the choice to let go of old belief systems and negative thinking patterns that constrain us and create our own ceilings. We have the power to attract positivity in our lives by silencing our inner critic and practicing gratitude.

In my practice and in my own life experiences, I have come to believe that some of the greatest life challenges bring about gifts such as increased consciousness, awareness, depth, perspective, empathy, compassion, resiliency, wisdom, strength, capability, tolerance, and serenity.

Our life outcome all depends on how we view the hand we are dealt. If we focus on the negative, on our egos, or on the hardships of the past we will not thrive and prosper. If we view our hardships as opportunities for growth and learning and empower ourselves to move forward in life in a way that is compassionate and loving to ourselves and others, we will succeed personally and professionally.

John Duffy, Ph.D, a clinical psychologist and author of the book The Available Parent: Radical Optimism for Raising Teens and Tweens:

For myself, I try to follow a couple of guides. First, I try to follow “The Four Agreements” as delineated by Don Miguel Ruiz in his book of the same name. The very basic agreements read:

• Be impeccable with your word.
• Don’t make assumptions.
• Don’t take anything personally.
• Always do your best.

I’ve distilled these down to two: Be impeccable with your word, and always do your best. If I achieve these every day, I believe I’ve led a good life.

I also try to keep the Serenity Prayer in mind every day: Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. I calm myself with these thoughts whenever I get anxious.

Deborah Serani, Psy.D, a clinical psychologist and author of Living with Depression:

I love using proverbs and quotes to help guide me in life. I weave them into my clinical practice with people I work with too. One of my favorites for when life seems tough is the Japanese proverb: “Fall down seven times, get up eight.”

It helps me realize that no matter how many times I fall, I have the power to rise again. So this wonderful, wise proverb helps me summon resilience.

Ari Tuckman, PsyD, a clinical psychologist and author of Understand Your Brain, Get More Done: The ADHD Executive Functions Workbook:

[My motto is] Good deeds tend to be rewarded. I don’t believe in karma, but I do believe in playing the odds. Good deeds build good will, so the more people who have positive thoughts about you, the more likely it is that good opportunities will come your way. Being diligent about handling your responsibilities and being generous about helping others out builds fans who are happy to reward good performance and return the favor.

I’ve found that some “sure bet” opportunities didn’t work out as expected but also that interesting opportunities came out of the blue, so you can’t be too mercenary about it or expect a direct reward for every good deed. Rather, it’s a general mindset that doing enough of the right things will bring enough of what you want.

Beyond the obvious aspects of you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours, there is also the more subtle aspect that people like to associate with others who they see as capable, generous, and positive.

Emily Campbell, LCPC, CEAP, a psychotherapist at Urban Balance, LLC:

[My motto is] Love God, love people. It comes from Jesus’ words that the greatest commandments are to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself.”

It means focusing first on loving God, and allowing His love to flow through us to others, treating them as we would wish to be treated. Our relationships with God and other people comprise our life; everything else is just the extras.

Alison Thayer, LCPC, CEAP, a psychotherapist at Urban Balance, LLC:

[My motto is] Everything will be OK in the end. If it’s not OK, it’s not the end. (I believe the author is considered unknown.)

I use this motto to highlight the significance of the journey and the lessons we experience in life. So often, we get caught up in not having what we want when we want it. This is particularly valuable to perfectionists, or “Type A” personalities who are driven and expect to get immediate results. These individuals can really struggle when the results are not exactly as they anticipated, and they may view the alternative result as a failure (also known as all-or-none thinking).

Instead, that alternative result may generate personal growth, goal clarification, or lead one to realize what they wanted isn’t what they want anymore. Or, they may get what they want, but at a later time, and they may value it more than ever.

Cialdini spent three years going undercover in writing his book. He applied for various jobs and training positions in order to experience and observe real-life situations of persuasion in action. Since then the book has also been published as a textbook, titled Influence: Science and Practice. Its key ideas can be applied to politics, business, economics, and psychology.

In the book Cialdini identifies and explores the six key principles of influence and persuasion, which he lists as follows:

1. Reciprocity (people tend to return a favor)
2. Commitment and Consistency (once people have made a decision, they tend to stick with it)
3. Social proof (people tend to conform, and do what other people are doing)
4. Authority (people tend to obey authority figures, regardless of the situation)
5. Liking (people are easily persuaded by people that they like)
6. Scarcity (perceived scarcity will generate demand)

This new collection of essays was written in honor of Cialdini’s retirement from Arizona State University. In it, several authors draw upon Cialdini’s findings to discuss their own experiences of influence and persuasion, and to further some of the ideas in Cialdini’s own writing.

What becomes clear from the outset is that this book is not intended for the general public. It isn’t going to be on any bestseller lists anytime soon, and certainly shouldn’t be considered as light holiday reading. The essays herein are detailed scientific and psychological studies, and are all written as such. The collection seems to be almost an ode to Cialdini and his ideas. It will most likely be best appreciated by those who are familiar with his work, or who at least hold a fascination for social psychology and ideas of influence and persuasion.

Rewards await those who do take the time to delve deeper into each of the essays, though. Many of Cialdini’s ideas are explored through real-life anecdotes and stories, e.g., infamous hacker Kevin Mitnick’s thrilling account of how he obtained the passwords to hack into the source code of a top-secret Motorola project in 1992. Mitnick’s essay ends with some tips on how to avoid being hacked, reminding us that we should “develop methods of fending off inappropriate requests” which might be as straightforward as “refusing Facebook friend  requests from people not known personally.”

The essays’ content goes far beyond the topic of social psychology alone and touches on numerous other areas of interest, including attachment theory and group bonding. One essay in particular, titled “Social Influence on Reproductive Behavior in Humans and Other Species,” focuses on the social and cultural aspects of reproduction. It offers numerous useful insights to any mental health professionals dealing with families or multi-generational clients. Those who are familiar with the works of John Gottman, James Coan, or Sue Johnson may all be interested to learn about selective investment theory, which highlights the important motivational properties of caregiving. It has paved the way for a paradigm shift in the ways we think about altruism, group selection, social neuroscience, self-interest, and collectivist thinking:

Selective investment theory suggests that social bonds that motivate high-cost helping are instantiated in the brain and that the underlying neural and hormonal features of social bonds and their consequent effect on prosocial behavior have implications for physical health. For example, the hormonal basis of social bonds and helping behavior includes the neuropeptide oxytocin, which not only triggers helping behavior, but also has restorative physiological properties.  For example, oxytocin down-regulates hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA; stress) axis activity and lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can be harmful to health with prolonged exposure. Oxytocin is also related to immune function as it is involved in cellular repair, storage of cell nutrients, and cellular growth. Thus, bonding and helping behaviors triggered by the bond may be good for one’s physical health. Indeed, there is a robust association between social relationships and health, such that people in close relationships are healthier and live longer than do those who are socially isolated.

There are 14 essays in this volume, each of them compelling in its own right. It’s unlikely that all of them will interest every reader, but there is doubtless much to enjoy and learn here for those who invest their time and who already hold an interest in the subject matter. Perhaps it is not the best place to start for newcomers to the topic, but for anyone already familiar with Cialdini’s ideas of influence and persuasion or the tenets of social psychology, this is certainly a fascinating read.

Six Degrees of Social Influence: Science, Application, and the Psychology of Robert Cialdini
By Douglas T. Kenrick, Noah J. Goldstein, and Sanford L. Braver, Eds.
Oxford University Press, USA: February 10, 2012
Hardcover, 208 pages
$29.99

1. Write a better story for your day. According to John Duffy, Ph.D, a clinical psychologist and author of the book The Available Parent: Radical Optimism for Raising Teens and Tweens:

For life improvement, I suggest the reader put life on pause, for at least a few moments a day, and consider what you’d like to accomplish today, and the vibe you want to carry.

Years ago, a client of mine was searching for a guidepost or mantra by which to live his life. After much soul-searching, he decided that, with every decision he makes, every day, he wanted to write the “better story.”

The better story might be getting up earlier rather than sleeping in [or] reaching out to help someone instead of passively ignoring their need… This turned out to be an enormous gift to me, as I now try to do this every day.

2. Identify what’s keeping you stuck. According to Deborah Serani, Psy.D, a clinical psychologist and author of the book Living with Depression, “This approach gets you to be both reflective and active, [which are] two steps necessary for change.”

1) Stop and see what it is that’s keeping you stuck right now. Oftentimes it’s a blind spot you can’t see, so taking time to mull things over helps you see more clearly. Is it a decision you’re afraid to make? Are certain people bringing you down? Are you in a cycle of negative thinking?
2) Look around you to how this blind spot is touching your life. Is it only at home? Or just at work [or] school? and finally
3) Listen to what your heart and mind tell you about what you need to do. Learning to reflect on your inner thoughts and feelings will help you trust putting them into action.

3. Get to bed earlier tonight. As clinical psychologist Ari Tuckman, PsyD, said, getting enough sleep is “an obvious but often overlooked” strategy.

It’s easy to steal time from sleep by staying up “just a little longer,” whether it’s to finish the laundry or finish a TV show. There’s always something that needs to be done or some fun temptation that keeps us from getting into bed on time. The problem is that the reward is had immediately — which makes it hard to resist — but the price is paid tomorrow.

It’s not uncommon to get a second wind at night, even if you were tired during the day, so that makes it even harder to stick to your bedtime. Unfortunately, even one short night’s sleep hampers our complex problem-solving, attention, and memory and makes us more irritable and short-tempered. This gets even worse when several short nights stack up.

The solution is easy to say but harder to do: Get into bed on time and you’ll feel better all the next day and hopefully get more work done, too. Of course, if you have someone that you sleep next to, then you should both get into bed even a little earlier and try to make some things happen. This will help both of you sleep better.

4. Participate in a physical activity you enjoy. Tuckman, also author of the book Understand Your Brain, Get More Done: The ADHD Executive Functions Workbook, said:

Regular exercise is an important part of not just physical health, but also mental health. It’s also one of the first things to go when we get busy. To prevent it from getting squeezed out, make it sacred and don’t let anything else intrude.

Otherwise, there will always be some other demand on your time and you’ll never get that workout in. A walk around the neighborhood is better than nothing, if that’s all you have time for, but for the most benefit you need to break a sweat.

Working out with someone else can make it more enjoyable…

5. Focus on right now. According to Alison Thayer, LCPC, CEAP, a psychotherapist at Urban Balance, LLC this can be challenging, especially in today’s world:

This is difficult for everyone, even therapists. It can be very difficult to focus on what is directly in front of you and ensure that you are fully present.

Today’s technology and expectation to be connected or available to work at all times is one of the most prominent challenges people face when trying to be present in the “here and now.”

Added Joyce Marter, LCPC, psychotherapist and owner of Urban Balance, LLC:

Honor the past, learn from it, accept it and let it go. Don’t obsess or worry about the future. Life is more manageable when you are grounded in the present. Achieve clarity through mindfulness practices such as deep breathing and meditation.

6. Set a realistic and attainable goal. Impossibly sky-high aspirations can be problematic. Thayer explained:

Setting goals is a key step in accomplishments. However, I often see clients with lofty goals that may not even be realistic. Holding ourselves to goals that we cannot reach can damage our self-esteem and inhibit our interest in trying to reach these goals again.

When setting your mind to reach a goal, ask yourself “Is this realistic and can I actually attain this goal?” If the answer is no, consider breaking the goal down into intermediate steps or modifying it altogether.

7. Reframe a situation in a positive light. Thayer shared several suggestions for taking a different and more positive stance.

There’s a reason why the saying “When life throws you lemons, make lemonade” has been around for years. When things aren’t going right, ask yourself “Could things be worse?” or “Is there anything I can take out of this that can be a benefit to me?”

More often than not, there is a positive aspect to things that happen, even those that feel negative. Try to view it in a different light and you may find your attitude turn around.

8. Be grateful, and pass it on. “If you focus on what you don’t have, you will be unhappy and attract negativity. Be grateful for what you have and you will be attract positivity, opportunity and success,” Marter said.

Emily Campbell, LCPC, CEAP, a psychotherapist at Urban Balance, LLC, suggested “Send[ing] a short note of appreciation to someone for something you appreciated about them this week.”

9. Relinquish what you can’t control. “Empower yourself to change what you can, and let go of the rest. Don’t expend your energy trying to control others. Focus on yourself,” Marter said.

10. Create an intention. According to Marter, “As in sports psychology, positive visualization increases the likelihood of success. We largely create our own realities through our thoughts and intentions, so clarify them by writing out your careers goals and objectives.”

Thayer suggested carving out time to set intentions for the following day. “Make it a ritual and part of your daily routine, like in the shower, when driving to work, or drinking your morning coffee,” she said.

From rumor mills to office cliques, many of us have experienced this often-uncomfortable situation. Here are a few ways to avoid being the cause of it, as well as how to handle it when someone else is responsible.

1. You’re confronted by a co-worker who says someone told her that Suzy said you will never move up in the company because you are lazy and don’t know how to do your job.

Solution: Ignore or take action. If you feel the need to address what’s been said, go to the source. If you don’t feel comfortable going to the source, contact a supervisor or mediator. Request a meeting to professionally discuss your feelings and concerns. It is imperative to take action as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the higher the potential for increased tension and animosity.

2. Suzy and Jim always have the latest gossip. Not only do they want to let you in on the office dirt, but they also want your opinions. When they are not talking about others, they complain about how awful the workplace is.

Solution: Stay away from people who are part of the rumor mill or always have a negative attitude. You never want to be guilty by association and accused of playing a part in a workplace rumor. You also want to avoid those with negative attitudes. If your coworker is always talking about how long the work week is, how bad the supervisor is, or how coworkers don’t pull their load, their negativity just may rub off on you.

3. Jim thinks you are not pulling your weight. He feels that his workload is heavier and he is frustrated and angry. As a result, he lashes out at you.

Solution: Don’t respond immediately and add to the chaos. If confronted by an angry or upset coworker, take time to evaluate the circumstances before responding. It is important to allow the shock to wear off and to respond professionally and appropriately. My general rule is to respond the same way you would if your supervisor was present. Be an active listener, allow the individual to vent, and remain respectful. When it is your turn to respond, remain calm and positive.

4. You don’t like office politics, you don’t like managers, you don’t like work, you don’t like your job, and you let everyone know it.

Solution: Don’t let yourself be labeled as the complainer. Whether good or bad, most of us would like to avoid labels. If we are labeled we most likely want the label to reflect who we are as a person and not how we are perceived to be. No one wants to be the office gossip, the “brownnoser,” the angry person, the troublemaker, or the complainer. It is important always to be aware of your actions and words. It is also important to remember it’s not always what’s said, but how it is said. In the workplace, let the work you do speak for you. Have a reputation for being a hard worker instead of a negative label.

5. Several people in the office have said you have a negative attitude or that you are sometimes difficult to talk to.

Solution: Be open to others’ thoughts. It’s very rare that several people have conspired against you to say something about you, your attitude, or your work performance. If people are always complaining about you or a specific behavior, maybe it’s not “those people.” Self-reflection is very powerful. It takes a big person to take a look in the mirror, take responsibility, and own their part in the chaos.

Some people love drama so much they cannot seem to function without it. You may never be able to avoid it with those people, no matter how hard you try. In that case, it is your duty to rise above it. Sometimes we have to meet people where they are and accept who they are. If an individual loves drama and chaos, we can either choose to avoid them or deal with them in a way that keeps us from being sucked into their world. Challenge yourself daily in your work environment to make the best day possible for yourself and for those around you.

Below, Sumber reveals what’s surprised him the most about being a therapist and the challenge of balancing burnout with making a difference. He shares the importance of shifting our paradigms, discovering our own definitions of meaning and much more.

Sumber also teaches sociology and psychology at National-Louis University and joyfully serves as a non-denominational wedding officiant on behalf of his company, Celebrate Love Chicago!

You can learn more about Sumber’s coaching at The Mindful Prepper, which he describes as “mindfulness coaching and preparing the Self for whatever life throws at us.” And you can find additional information about Sumber and his work at his main website.

1. What’s surprised you the most about being a therapist?

I have never really gotten used to the intensity of impact I have on clients over the course of treatment. While it is inevitable that my comfort level, trust and relaxation increases over time in the therapeutic relationship, it is forever humbling to find that even the simplest, off-the-cuff statements in a session can be taken in unintended ways. Even those “chance” interactions with clients in public places have an impact and will likely lead to process in the therapy office. Being a therapist has impacted my behavior in public, the choices I make on social networking sites and even the level of political activism I choose. I still haven’t gotten used to that.

2. What’s the latest and greatest book you’ve read related to mental health, psychology or psychotherapy?

When I was in high school, I applied to Harvard for my undergraduate experience and one of the questions my interviewer asked me was to please list the last 5 books I had read that month. My face turned pale and I ended up walking away with a pit in my stomach, not even to apply (until I went to graduate school). I have been listening to a series of tapes by Tony Robbins and his work with couples called “Get the Edge.” I prefer listening and watching than reading.

3. What’s the biggest myth about therapy?

The biggest myth about therapy is that it is now mainstream. While there are far more people exposed to and participating in therapy today than ever before, it is simply not true that being in treatment does not carry with it some level of stigma or projection for clients, their families, friends and acquaintances. Whether it is secrecy from work, fear of insurance claims affecting future jobs, or even simply a new relationship and the concern over sharing “too much” about what that weekly appointment is all about, I do not believe that we are “there” yet as a society when it comes to mental health as a spectrum, not an either/or.

4. What seems to be the biggest obstacle for clients in therapy?

I find that many clients struggle with the notion of paradigm shift. While learning more effective modes of communication as well as strategies for choosing more supportive actions are essential to the success of counseling, I find that the ideological shift from one belief system to another is the most formidable challenge. Many people believe they can impact their lives in a long term, sustainable manner simply by changing their behaviors and I simply do not believe this to be the case. Unless we rethink the soil in which we are planting new seeds, we can expect only limited change into the future. Oftentimes it is the acknowledgment of an old paradigm breeding destructive patterns that serves as the greatest opening for a client and from this place, I work with individuals to envision a new worldview that opens the door for new ways of thinking, feeling and creating their lives.

5. What’s the most challenging part about being a therapist?

The most challenging part of being a therapist for me is tempering my desire to make a difference and help clients change their lives with the slippery slope of burnout and self-care. The inevitable biorhythm of private practice and its ebb and flow of steady, sustainable client hours tends to prod us toward taking on more sessions in a week than is probably healthy and yet the consequences of maintaining a waiting list or turning folks away is that they will likely move on. Identifying the maximum number of reasonable hours in session per week and then STICKING to that number is an ongoing challenge for me and is a direct factor in the process of burnout.

6. What do you love about being a therapist?

I love so much about being a therapist! I can’t believe how lucky I am to have found a path in life that is in absolute alignment with my values, outlook on the world as well as my desire to make enough income to live comfortably without being excessive. Life as a therapist is a life in relationship to balance for me, and I am ever engaged in that process toward balance whether it be between work/personal life, professional/social, practical/spiritual, time/energy, etc. Loving what I do, doing what I love is the greatest example to clients who struggle with being dissatisfied with their jobs.

7. What’s the best advice you can offer to readers on leading a meaningful life?

Wow. For starters, uncovering one’s own definition of meaning is a great launching pad. Asking “who” instead of “what” or “how” tends to orient the process in a solid way and from there, when we know who we are asking the questions, we can start to explore what we want and what we’re willing to do about that. For myself, moving through an old pattern of projecting the reasons why I can’t be at peace or in joy onto others was a tremendous piece of personal work without which I do not believe I would have created a meaningful life. Taking full responsibility for every moment in my day from first dawn to lights out has been instrumental in embracing my life as I manifest it. I find the old recording of “I can’t” or “I don’t know” to be just downright tiresome. Remove it from your vocabulary and things begin to shift.

8. If you had your schooling and career choice to do all over again, would you choose the same professional path? If not, what would you do differently and why?

Yes. My focus on international relations and political philosophy in college helped me understand the world in ways that have added much to my work as well as the years studying religion prior to my degree in psychology. I am grateful for degrees in non-psychological pursuits rather than a Ph.D because I feel it has given me a unique approach to this field and allows me to approach counseling from a somewhat different angle than many of my peers.

9. If there’s one thing you wished your clients or patients knew about treatment or mental illness, what would it be?

That only insurance companies believe that deep, penetrating shifts in the way we understand ourselves happens in a few months. “We are not water heaters” as my analyst told me the first day I sat before him long ago.

10. What personally do you do to cope with stress in your life?

Every morning when I shut the water off in my shower, I stand quietly, shrouded in my towel, and breathe deeply. No ritual, no religious significance, no laws of attracting this or that: I just breathe and feel my Self. Until my wife says, “Are you doing your breathing thing?”

Author Daniel J. Siegel structures his book to be read in any order. He encourages readers to “flip the Pocket Guide open to any page and you will find an ‘entry point’ that guides you to explore, in your own way, the web of integrated knowledge.” The table of contents cover varied and numerous topics such as ‘Mindful Awareness,” the “Brainstem,” “Attachment,” and “Un-Health and Dis-Ease.” In his chapters, Siegel defines and expands his concepts as well as ensures that his readers pay attention to key ideas for the comprehension of the IPNB model. He also discusses the implication these specific concepts have for our lives.

Siegel illustrates some of his intricate ideas with visual representations. For example, he uses the “triangle of well-being” to explain how IPNB views the mind, brain and relationships as a single component rather than three separate entities.

Siegel describes integration as “the mind’s process of linking differentiated parts into a functional whole   . . . to be the fundamental mechanism of health.” He emphasizes how integration becomes the context for looking for dysfunction and the energy/informational flow becomes the focus for correcting the dysfunction. The premise is that integration creates harmony and that impaired integration leads to chaos and rigidity. When an individual’s brain or relationships are not integrated, they move into a dysfunctional state and the brain is unable to balance things in a flexible manner.

Siegel recognizes each individual’s inherent potential to become whole by their capacity to release the specific blockage that may be inhibiting their ability to integrate. He further stresses that the role of the mental health professional, teacher, or parent is to facilitate the potential for integration that is innate in everyone.

Siegel implements several methods to communicate interpersonal neurobiology’s concepts clearly and simply. I admire his efforts to draw from a wide range of fields — including genetics, anthropology, and evolutionary psychology — to incorporate into his INBP model. At times, however, his message becomes convoluted from trying to incorporate perspectives from so many other disciplines.

Someone unfamiliar with Siegel’s subject matter may have some difficulty following along. The Guide may be easier to follow for those who are already a fan of Siegel’s work in IPNB. Nonetheless, Siegel’s book does an amazing job reflecting his vast knowledge of how our brains and our relationships interact to shape our lives.

Pocket Guide to Interpersonal Neurobiology: An Integrative Handbook of the Mind
By Daniel J. Siegel
W. W. Norton & Company: April 2, 2012
Paperback, 560 pages
$29.95

This month we had the pleasure of talking to Ryan Howes, Ph.D., ABPP, a board-certified, licensed clinical psychologist practicing in Pasadena, California.

Howes also is a clinical professor and supervisor at Fuller Graduate School of Psychology. He is a contributing editor for the Psychotherapy Networker Magazine and he’s blogged for Psychology Today since 2008.

His blog, In Therapy: A User’s Guide to Psychotherapy, was named a Top 10 Psychoanalysis Blog by Blogs.com. He is on a personal mission to demystify therapy and empower clients to get the most out of their time, money and effort.

You can learn more about Howes at his website and Facebook page.

1. What’s surprised you the most about being a therapist?

This job is full of surprises. I laugh more with my clients than I ever thought I would. Many therapist “mistakes” actually improve the treatment. Silence is sometimes the best intervention. I’m not really my own boss, I have 30 bosses. I’ve seen about a hundred different techniques to wipe tears with a Kleenex. The most surprising is, I’ve been doing therapy since the ’90s and I’ve never had a boring day.

2. What’s the latest and greatest book you’ve read related to mental health, psychology or psychotherapy?

Every year I assign Irvin Yalom’s The Gift of Therapy to my graduate students. His warmth and wisdom shows his profound understanding of therapy from both chairs. But I’m currently reading David Wallin’s outstanding Attachment in Psychotherapy, which may find its way into the syllabus.

3. What’s the biggest myth about therapy?

We like to talk about the classic stigma: Therapy is for crazy people. Fortunately, research is showing that we’re beginning to move beyond that stereotype. So many “normal” people (as well as celebrities and fictional characters) have been to therapy that looking for help is not as shameful as it once was.

But the popular media has created a new myth: Therapists are lunatics who are so messed up they can’t help anyone else. Therapists now have the public image problem. I’d like to do something about that.

4. What seems to be the biggest obstacle for clients in therapy?

My profession has done a poor job of providing a coherent, consistent explanation of what therapy is, how it works and what is the client’s role in the process. As a result, well-intentioned clients spend valuable time and money learning about the process of therapy when they could be focused on resolving their issues. Many people quit therapy frustrated because they never learned how to make the most of it.

5. What’s the most challenging part about being a therapist?

When friends or family ask the harmless question “How was your day?” I have a legal requirement to censor my answer. I completely agree with the need for confidentiality in this field, but it contributes to the isolation experienced by many therapists. It’s ironic that we spend all day talking with people on a deep level but need to consciously fight isolation.

6. What do you love about being a therapist?

We’re on sacred ground when a client says: “I’ve never told anyone this before, but…” We’re striking a balance between trust and risk and we’re about to have a breakthrough. Actually, I enjoy any time I see positive change happening. Like the compliant, conflict-avoidant client who suddenly feels safe enough to confront me. Or the emotionally detached client who lets his anger or sadness show. Or when our hunch about something proves true or leads to a deeper insight. The time and effort is validated any time our collaboration creates a lasting change.

7. What’s the best advice you can offer to readers on leading a meaningful life?

Know thy stuff. Ignorance may be bliss, but a meaningful life requires exploring and accepting your strengths and limitations, as challenging as that may be.

8. If you had your schooling and career choice to do all over again, would you choose the same professional path? If not, what would you do differently and why?

Being a psychologist allows me to do nearly everything I enjoy. My clients invite me on a journey to explore amazing, always-unique subject matter. I also get to moonlight as an extroverted professor and introverted writer. I wouldn’t change a thing.

But occasionally I daydream about jobs that had immediate and visible results, like the summer job I had mowing grass on a golf course. It was a beautiful setting and my riding mower did most of the work. It was a great way to earn my minimum wage (plus free golf!).

9. If there’s one thing you wished your clients knew about treatment, what would it be?

Therapy is kind of like going to a personal trainer. The two of you develop goals and a plan of action, the professional guides and supports, and you do the heavy lifting to reap the benefits. The work might be in the form of journaling, reading books, bringing up uncomfortable material, or taking a risk to trust. Unfortunately, some clients approach therapy more like surgery. They plan to sit passively while the therapist does therapy to them. This leaves both parties frustrated.

10. What personally do you do to cope with stress in your life?

I’m a firm believer in therapy for therapists, so I’ll be in treatment as long as I’m seeing clients. I also avoid taking work home with me. I try to keep non-psychology hobbies and keep in touch with non-therapist friendships. I stay actively involved in my kids’ lives, I play music, run, cook and write — even though I usually write about therapy!

Throughout the book, Spielman discusses topics such as marketing, time vs. cost comparisons, attracting your ideal clients and keeping them coming back. The purpose of her book is to provide a readable, concise guidebook to starting your own private practice. Spielman succeeds in this goal. She creates a book that is free of complicated philosophy and instead provides solutions that are accessible to everyone, business degree or not.

Spielman spends a large portion of the book discussing marketing strategies. I found this part of the book extremely helpful and important as it provides the reader with a place to start. Starting a business is an extremely monumental task and yet, Spielman manages to teach you how to set the foundation for your business in a way that does not seem scary or impossible.

Spielman includes several techniques that I would have never thought of on my own and I feel that this will be the case for many others who read her book. While Spielman always presents the information in a non-threatening, simplistic way, she still manages to bring new, exciting techniques to the playing field. She discusses everything from creating your marketing materials to choosing a business name to deciding which Internet listings you want to put yourself on. Her marketing strategies are extremely thorough and helpful to the person who may be just starting out.

Spielman then goes on to discuss what to do after you have your marketing strategies in place and begin to reap the benefits of doing so. She attends to every detail of the first communication with a potential client, including letting them know they are calling the right place, emphasizing your uniqueness within the field, bringing diversity to your approach, returning phone calls and emails promptly and how to bill efficiently. Next, Spielman addresses the scenario of spending too much time for not enough money. She includes a detailed list of tips on “how to save money and increase your bottom line at the same time.” Additionally, Spielman includes a section on how to deal with clients and non-payment.

In the last half of the book, Spielman discusses the ins and outs of attracting your ideal clientele. She takes the reader through the processing of ascertaining who their “ideal” client is and then closes by briefly discussing different types of clients: clients covered by insurance, self-pay clients, and more. Spielman then includes a chapter on how to keep these clients coming back. This chapter is extremely helpful and Spielman’s tips are, once again, new and exciting, yet presented in a manageable and accessible way.

Overall, my review of this book is highly positive and I greatly recommend this book to anyone who is thinking of potentially going into clinical private practice, or starting their own business. Spielman emphasizes that a business degree is not necessarily needed in order to have a successful practice. Her tips help the reader feel educated and aware of what steps they will need to take in order to begin their own journey of starting a private practice.

The Blueprint for a Successful Practice
By Gina Spielman, LCSW
CreateSpace: November 28, 2009
Paperback, 196 pages
$25.95