What Do I Say?: The Therapist’s Guide to Answering Client Questions

380 Pages·2011·4.13 MB·English

by  Linda N. Edelstein

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II
TThhee TThheerraappiisstt’’ss
GGuuiiddee ttoo AAnnsswweerriinngg
CClliieenntt QQuueessttiioonnss
Linda N. Edelstein
and
Charles A. Waehler
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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What Do
Say?
I
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WWhhaatt DDoo
SSaayy??
II
TThhee TThheerraappiisstt’’ss
GGuuiiddee ttoo AAnnsswweerriinngg
CClliieenntt QQuueessttiioonnss
Linda N. Edelstein
and
Charles A. Waehler
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
This book is printed on acid-free paper.
Copyright © 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.
Published simultaneously in Canada.
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:
Edelstein, Linda N.
What do I say? : the therapist’s guide to answering client questions / Linda N. Edelstein, Charles
A. Waehler.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-470-56175-1 (pbk.); 978-1-118-06146-6 (ePDF); 978-1-118-06147-3 (eMobi);
978-1-118-06148-0 (ePub)
1. Counselor and client. 2. Psychotherapist and patient. I. Waehler, Charles A. II. Title.
BF636.6.E34 2011
158'.3—dc22 2010051401
Printed in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
To my clients, past and present, because I admire their courage,
honesty, hope, and hard work. —L.N.E.
To my students, with thanks for all that we have learned together,
and for the places we will go. —C.A.W.
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Contents
Preface ix
Acknowledgments xv
PART 1 Client Questions in a Broad Context
Introduction to Part 1 1
Why Do Clients’ Questions Cause Apprehension? 3
What Do the Different Theories Advise? 5
Remember, It’s Not About You 11
Guidelines for Answering Questions 13
Style and Language Considerations 17
Further Thoughts 23
PART 2 Client Questions and Responses by Topic
Introduction to Part 2 25
1 The Early Sessions 27
2 Experience 43
3 Therapeutic Process 54
4 Expectations About Change 70
5 Techniques 80
6 Professional Role 94
7 Money 107
vii
viii Contents
8 Confidentiality 119
9 Boundaries 131
10 Personal Questions 148
11 Sexuality 169
12 Religion and Spirituality 185
13 Prejudice 201
14 Stigma 209
15 Physical Appearance 217
16 Dreams 233
17 Therapists’ Reactions 245
18 Individual and Cultural Differences 259
19 Involving Others 273
20 Out of the Office 285
21 Keeping in Touch 304
22 Life Events 314
23 Ending Therapy 324
Concluding Thoughts 343
References 347
Index 351
About the Authors 357