Summary Building Basic Therapeutic Skills: Practical Guide For Current Mental Health Practice

A snapshot of the summary - Building Basic Therapeutic Skills: Practical Guide For Current Mental Health Practice Author: Jeanne Albronda Heaton ISBN: 9780787939847

• 0 introduction

• what are core therapeutic skills?

  -become an effective observer;
  -establish rapport;
  -manage an initial interview;
  -communicate essential information;
  -create therapeutic contracts;
  -manage difficult moments;
  -balance personal response and professional obligations;
  -communicate effectively with superiors.

• 1 developing observational skill

• which skill provides the basis for all other therapeutic skills?

  observational skills refers to what you see and hear and how you collect information to understand your clients. observation occurs for a large part unconsciously and as a therapist you also consciously observe what you otherwise take for granted.
• what is important when observing?

  not to take a too narrow perspective; try to be open for alternative explanations while forming a working hypothesis, don't get locked in on your first idea. revise and reevaluate your initial observations when therapy progresses.
• which four basic factors do you need to observe?

  1) non-verbal cues
  2) verbal expression
  3) relationship between spoken (verbal) and body (non-verbal) language 
  4) your reactions.

• 1.1 observing non-verbal cues

• what are non-verbal cues?

  clothing, grooming, eye-contact, posture, mannerism, etc.

• 1.1.1 general appearance

• what are aspects of general appearance?

  age, gender, height, weight, ability to move, complexion, eyes, race, etc.

• 1.1.2 clothing and grooming

• what information can clothing and grooming provide?

  information on work, sub-culture and self-care (=important starting point).
•  which mental disorders are connected to problems with self-care?

  depressions, psychosis, drug abuse
• what is the danger of making assumptions based on observed clothing and grooming?

  we may react based on stereotypes that we hold; so there is again a need to stay open for alternative interpretations.

• 1.1.3 facial expression

• what are examples of facial expressions?

  smiles, frowns, grimaces, blank stares, etc.