Very good for a textbook. I now know a lot about counseling theories. However, I do not recommend this for recreational reading plz don’t do that to yourself.
I don’t really know how to rate a textbook so I won’t. This is my first time reading a textbook in over 10 years and it was wildly interesting. What a great way to start my Masters! Been a fan of therapy for a long time and it was very cool to learn about all the different theories and approaches. There are so many ways to do therapy and truly something that works for every one and every problem.
I read the new fifth edition of this book for a counseling theory class. It’s a LOT to take in at once, but, generally, it was well-organized and helpful. Chapter 15 has some great overviews that I wish I would have paid attention to before noticing them in the last week of class.
So I didn't read this, exactly, but I'm using it as a supplement to my preparation for class and I'm finding it excellent. It's clear and organized and includes good case examples, large-group exercises, small-group exercises, etc. I particularly like the last section which provides an overview of the treatment systems studied and offers a self-test guide for choosing a system which is most compatible with your personality.
If I teach this course again, I will seriously consider assigning this text instead as my students found their assigned text difficult to read. The question is whether I would then be dumbing the course down by assigning the easier text as opposed to challenging the students with more academic reading to develop their skills. Also, with all the activities and case examples, this was such a great supplement that I'm reluctant to give away my tricks by having the students read it!
I like the textbooks that I have been assigned for schooling thus far. This book does a good job bringing all the theorists and their upbringing into light which helped to determine how they came up with their theories in general.
It informs you on how the theories are most often used today and lets the reader be aware of the limitations and cultural aspects each brings to the table. I enjoyed the insight into the lives and theories to discover how they came to be and to help determine later on what my theory will be.
This was a good introduction into counseling theories. It does take a very postmodern perspective. I liked the BETA ((Background, Emotions, Thoughts, Actions) structure, but it needs to be updated. Two of the founders of counseling theories who are spoken of as alive have since passed away (one in 2013). It doesn't include any information on Internal Family Systems Therapy, EMDR, or Brain Spotting, which are all becoming popular evidence-based therapies and techniques.
Decent overview of counseling theories with examples of how it applies to a fictitious family. Lacking in content for some theories, but does include some theories that aren't always covered in other basic books like feminist therapy.
This book was for a class. It is very informative and filled with information on many, many theories and therapies in counseling. I’ll keep this one for future use.