Dear Beginner Therapist: A handbook for Mental Health Professionals

by Jennifer Kyalo

Why should you read this book? Because, ignorance about the challenges of being a beginner therapist is the major contributor to burnout, imposter syndrome and feelings of incompetence and inadequacy in this work. This book is my attempt at saving you from making the mistakes I did when I was starting out. I distill the knowledge we have about this topic into a simple, straightforward handbook that you can come back to every so often without having to rummage through your library for advice scattered across multiple books. This is meant to be the document with (almost) all the tips for beginner therapists, in one place.

Genres: Counselling, Psychology

103 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 13, 2022

Reviews

[Alyssa Riege · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Being a therapist is a rewarding job. I have had the wonderful opportunity of getting invited into people’s innermost lives, and I find it an honor being trusted that deeply”

[Samantha’s Little Library♡✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor for my future career, so coming across this book in my Kindle library was a pleasant surprise. I want my mind to always be open to learning something new, and even though I have a lot of understanding toward the human mind, I must maintain a spirit of humility. I can always wake up every day and learn something new! Counseling individuals through their deep pains and anxieties about life is much different than knowing psychological knowledge, and Jennifer Kyalo compassionately explains that fact… and that it is okay if it takes time to fully internalize everything we learn. Thus, this book, Dear Beginner Therapistgives a kind outline as to how the therapist-client dynamic is supposed to function so that ethical standards and work boundaries are maintained. 🌸

[Lindsey Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

So helpful!

I didn’t realize the book was written by professional in Kenya until later in the book when she mentions culture specific terms. This book was so helpful, I graduate with my Masters in a few months and have been experiencing imposter syndrome as I work in my internship. This book helped normalize my experiences and boosted my confidence. Highly recommend for anyone just starting out in the mental health field.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to turn to for reassurance!

This book, is one I will purchase to keep on my shelf to turn back to throughout my future career. You can digest it easily and refer to always. This was exactly what I needed building my first caseload closing out grad school! Thank you for being honest and open about this field.

[anna green · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very fast paced read and I like that it included some charts and important information to remember for a new therapist. I recommend if you have kindle unlimited since it’s free but it is very short so I don’t think I would pay for it.

[AmyRose · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Christy Sprouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real and direct

Jen allowed a glimpse into the life of a new therapist. She also sprinkled some valuable information that I wouldn’t have otherwise known to research.

[AGracePryor · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘If you are not willing to be a beginner, you will never be a master.’

5ish years into the field and still there were still some powerful reminders here.