Nuts and Bolts of Helping

Book excerpt: This book is intended to give students in various professions a basic overview of the theory, process, and skill of helping methods. It is designed as a resource and "operating manual" for those in human service professions to learn the basics involved in developing helping relationships, assessing and diagnosing complaints, promoting exploration and understanding, and designing and implementing action plans. It covers the foundational theory, core skills, and standard interventions used when helping others work through personal struggles. This text is intended as a primary and secondary text in both undergraduate and graduate courses in counseling, psychology, human services, social work, education, family studies, marital and family therapy, nursing, and other helping professions. It may also be used as a supplementary text for allied health and professional fields such as law, medicine, communications, and others.