Tony Rousmaniere

Now in its second edition, this concise volume helps therapists develop the resilience and flexibility they need to deliver effective therapy. Clients who are provocative, angry, shut down, or emotionally labile often arouse strong emotional responses in therapists. Without proper training and practice, these experiences can make it difficult for therapists to stay self-aware, attuned, and clinically flexible. Founded on the principles of deliberate practice, this book presents a clear and concise training plan to help readers identify, develop, and master the inner skills necessary to be effective therapists. Authors Tony Rousmaniere and Joel Jin explain the theory and value of deliberate practice and guide readers through six experiential exercises to help them build psychological capacity. Readers select their own materials for exposure, ranging from movie clips to videotaped therapy sessions, and learn techniques to navigate their emotional reactions. This second edition includes a new chapter for course instructors, extended and updated research, and expanded clinical resources.

Deliberate practice exercises provide trainees and students an opportunity to build competence in essential behavioral parent training skills while developing their own personal therapeutic style. These exercises present role-playing scenarios in which two trainees act as a client and a clinician, switching back and forth under the guidance of a supervisor. The clinician improvises appropriate and authentic responses to client statements organized into three difficulty levels—beginner, intermediate, and advanced—that reflect common client questions and concerns. Trainees will learn how to collaborate with parents to help them build positive relationships with their children as a foundation for creating behavioral change. They will learn how to teach parenting skills like praise to encourage positive behaviors, planned ignoring, establishing consequences that are respectful and developmentally appropriate, and strategies for parents to manage their own strong emotions. Step-by-step instructions guide participants through the exercises, identify criteria for mastering each skill, and explain how to monitor and adjust difficulty. Guidelines to help trainers and trainees get the most out of training are also provided.

Deliberate practice exercises provide trainees and students an opportunity to build competence in essential emotionally focused couple therapy (EFCT) skills while developing their own personal therapeutic style.   These exercises present role-playing scenarios in which two trainees act as a client and a clinician, switching back and forth under the guidance of a supervisor. The clinician improvises appropriate and authentic responses to client statements organized into three difficulty levels-beginner, intermediate, and advanced-that reflect common client questions and concerns.   Each of the first 2 exercises focuses on a single skill, such as offering evocative inquiries and reflections, deepening the client amp rsquo s emotional experience of self and other, and choreographing interactions that promote positive emotional engagement. Two comprehensive exercises follow in which trainees integrate these essential skills into a single session.   Step-by-step instructions guide participants through the exercises, identify criteria for mastering each skill, and explain how to monitor and adjust difficulty. Guidelines to help trainers and trainees get the most out of training are also provided.