Becoming a Therapist: Inside the Learning Curve

In this program from Colorado-based psychologist, teacher, and trainer Erik Sween, five student therapists (two men and three women) talk frankly about the anxiety they felt—particularly facing their initial clients—and how they gained confidence over time. At first, the therapists worried about criticism, feared that a client's life could be destroyed in a single encounter, or were concerned—in the case of two very youthful looking females—that patients wouldn't take them seriously. The participants discuss various challenges: some faced such overwhelming work/study loads as interns that they felt paradoxically dysfunctional themselves, and one briefly talks about reporting child abuse or potential suicides. All found relief in support from supervisors and peers, as well as simply more experience—gaining satisfaction from seeing their clients' progress and sharing in their journeys. Divided into nine chapters intended to encourage classroom discussion and role-playing, Becoming a Therapist includes an instructor's manual with a complete transcript and suggestions for using the program. Highly recommended. Aud: C. (M. Puffer-Rothenberg)