This book began out of a desire to see newly qualified clinicians and psychologists in training, finding approaches to therapy that, perhaps, they have not had the opportunity to engage with within their training. Although training programs for Clinical Psychologists within the United Kingdom are held in high esteem it is my experience that face to face work with clients is, to a large degree, led by the experience and methodologies employed by supervising clinicians. Psychology training around the world differs not only from country to country but often from city to city. This has been found to be especially true in Australia where I began my clinical career.
When a psychologist bases his or her clinical approach on their supervisor's work this has the potential to not only bring about incredible growth, but also, to stunt the clinician's professional growth, and thus, hinder the healing process of their clients. Also, one of the key issues that should be recognised by newly qualified clinicians and clinicians in training; is the need for therapeutic relationship building skills, that are second to none. As part of these relationship building skills it is imperative that the clinician can very quickly, read their client, in order that they may adjust the therapeutic approach(s) used, and thereby, not lose the client's trust.
This book, rather than being written totally for academia, is a practical approach for psychologists. Thus, I hope that the reader will find this book to be a pleasing and rewarding experience, and one that will prove to have excellent outcomes for clients.
This book provides for the reader the reasons for approaching clients with an integrative methodology in psychological interventions. But not just any integrative methodology, one that works and is shown psychometrically to work. While other books related to therapy alone may provide suggestions of specific skills for integration, this book shows how to use the appropriate skills and the contexts in which to use them. While other books are restrained within the parameters of psychology.
Robert Jones recognises that we live in a real world and, thus, this book contains subject matter related to the field of sociology and its impact on the individual. While other books and fields of study may leave the emerging clinician to flounder when working with other disciplines, this book introduces the reader to some of the complexities of working with other professionals. While other books may propose skill sets for therapy alone, this book recognises that psychologists are more than therapists, we also conduct work with the courts, and much more. Thus, this book provides guidance on working within the legal system and particularly as an Expert Witness.
