What Do I Say? (ePub)

The must-have guide to honestly and sensitively answering your
clients' questions

Written to help therapists view their clients' questions as
collaborative elements of clinical work, What Do I Say? explores
the questions--some direct, others unspoken--that all
therapists, at one time or another, will encounter from clients.
Authors and practicing therapists Linda Edelstein and Charles
Waehler take a thought-provoking look at how answers to clients'
questions shape a therapeutic climate of expression that encourages
personal discovery and growth.

Strategically arranged in a question-and-answer format for ease
of use, this hands-on guide is conversational in tone and filled
with personal examples from experienced therapists on twenty-three
hot-button topics, including religion, sex, money, and boundaries.
What Do I Say? tackles actual client questions, such as:

* Can you help me? (Chapter 1, The Early Sessions)

* Sorry I am late. Can we have extra time? (Chapter 9,
Boundaries)

* I don't believe in all this therapy crap. What do you think
about that? (Chapter 3, Therapeutic Process)

* Why is change so hard? (Chapter 4, Expectations About
Change)

* Will you attend my graduation/wedding/musical
performance/speech/business grand opening? (Chapter 20, Out of the
Office)

* Where are you going on vacation? (Chapter 10, Personal
Questions)

* I gave your name to a friend . . . Will you see her? (Chapter 9,
Boundaries)

* Should I pray about my problems? (Chapter 12, Religion and
Spirituality)

* Are you like all those other liberals who believe gay people
have equal rights? (Chapter 13, Prejudice)

The power of therapy lies in the freedom it offers clients to
discuss anything and everything. It's not surprising then, that
clients will surprise therapists with their experiences and
sometimes with the questions they ask. What Do I Say? reveals how
these questions--no matter how difficult or
uncomfortable--can be used to support the therapeutic process
rather than derail the therapist-client relationship.