Improving Therapeutic Communication A Guide for Developing Effective Techniques

Throughout the book, the authors focus on the basic skills that facilitate communications in therapy (empathy, respect, authenticity, relating in the here-and-now, and confrontation) and explore specific methods of using them. These skills--which research shows are crucial to effective therapy--enable therapists and counselors to * Empathize in a caring way with the feelings of clients * Become receptive to clients in a warm, respectful, and nonjudgmental way * Constructively share feelings with clients in a natural, open manner * Therapeutically utilize moment-to-moment, here-and-now interaction * Make clients aware of their inconsistencies and discrepancies without arousing antagonism or defensiveness

D. Corydon Hammond is a psychologist, professor, and co-director of the Sex and Martial Therapy Clinic at the University of Utah School of Medicine. He is a past president of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. Dean H. Hepworth is retired. He was associate dean and professor of the Graduate School of Social Work, University of Utah. Veon G. Smith, deceased, was a professor in the Graduate School of Social Work and director of the Marriage and Family Counseling Bureau, University of Utah.