On Being A Master Therapist: Practicing What You Preach

Although the authors have consulted hundreds of sources, research studies, and books by esteemed writers and scholars who have investigated facets of mastery in the practice of therapy, Kottler and Carlson have adopted a more informal, narrative tone in this book, one that allows them to speak informally and frankly about counseling and psychotherapy. The authors talk about some of the taboos, secrets, and forbidden aspects of the profession.

Chapter 2 sets the stage for what follows by reviewing what we mostly know is true about excellence in the practice of therapy. In the chapters that are sequenced afterwards they cover some of the important facets of mastery including the practice of deep compassion and caring (Chapter 3), a set of sophisticated interpersonal skills (Chapter 4), remaining fully present in therapeutic encounters (Chapter 5), demonstrating a high level of domain and subdomain specific knowledge (Chapter 6), being clear-headed and honest with clients (Chapter 7), as well as with oneself in acknowledging mistakes (Chapter 8) and processing feedback (Chapter 9), and modeling the qualities we would most like our own clients to develop (Chapter 10).

Next the authors move on to discussing some of the attributes that truly distinguish excellence in clinical practice. This includes not only the mandated and critical responsiveness to cultural and individual differences of our clients, but also the deep understanding of commonalities that link all human experience (Chapter 11). Chapter 12 delves into one of the most taboo subjects in our field: the expression of non-demanding, platonic love. Kottler and Carlson explore creativity and originality in psychotherapy (Chapter 13), advocacy within communities or on a global scale (Chapter 14), and, finally,the authors close with a discussion about the ways we always fall short no matter how hard we strive for mastery (Chapter 15) and how we are all “works in progress” doing the best we can.

JEFFREY A. KOTTLER, PhD, is Professor of Counseling at California State University, Fullerton and Founder of Empower Nepali Girls, an organization that provides educational scholarships for at-risk children in Nepal.

JON CARLSON, Psy.D, Ed.D, is a Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Counseling at Governors State University, University Park, Illinois and a psychologist with the Wellness Clinic in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.