Description: In this book, qualitative studies on psychotherapy expertise from the U.S.A., Canada, Singapore, Japan, Korea, Portugal, and the Czech Republic are compiled and synthesized. Understanding the universal characteristics of expert therapists practicing around the world provides training programs and mental health practitioners with a heuristic for optimal therapist and counselor development.
Review Quotes: "There is a steady flow of articles on the topic of therapist expertise in the last couple decades, although I would not describe it as a 'hot' topic. More broadly, there is increased focus on the role of the therapist as a contributor to outcome in psychotherapy, in contrast to a view of the therapist simply as a vehicle through which a particularly treatment approach is delivered. I should also note that psychology like other fields is becoming increasingly global/international in its focus, which fits with the approach proposed by the authors."
--Tracy D. Eells, MBA, PhD, Professor, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Louisville
--Camille DeBell, PhD, Professor, Division of Counseling and Family Therapy, Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions, Regis University
"This is a solid book that advances the psychotherapy profession. The authors have carefully proposed to study therapeutic mastery and expertise multi-nationally. It is important to focus study on what are the unique characteristics of those who are regarded as masters in the practice of psychotherapy. There is no other book like this. The authors have conducted important studies on a US population. As the psychotherapy profession evolves, important books like this will be needed. The authors present a clear description of those who will be interested in purchasing this book. [It is] a research-based text that is easy to read and a needed addition to the profession. Their previous books are classics in the field of mastery in psychotherapy."
--Jon Carlson, PsyD, EdD, Distinguished Professor, Counseling and Psychology, Governors State University
"Jennings and Skovholt's edited book represents a unique contribution to the study of master therapists that not only presents high quality studies from various countries, but also uses the means of qualitative meta-analysis in order to synthesize the findings across those studies. The international character of the book together with the use of innovative methodologies makes this endeavour a truly remarkable addition to counselling and psychotherapy research. Congratulations to all contributors!" - -Ladislav Timulak, PhD, Course Director, Doctoral Programme in Counselling Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland"This book addresses the call for the internationalization of psychotherapy research. We can learn much from master therapists around the world - and our learning certainly is enhanced by the comprehensive synthesis of research on counselor expertise provided by Jennings, Skovholt, and their colleagues. Graduate programs in psychology will benefit greatly from this inspiring and important work." - Karen M. O'Brien, PhD, Professor, University of Maryland"This edited book is remarkable and impressive. The findings and conceptual models are based on extensive interviews of master therapists from seven countries. In addition to providing a global understanding of the master therapist construct, the authors have succeeded in providing in-depth knowledge of culturally specific and common elements of counseling and psychotherapy. This vividly written book will likely be a classic. Congratulations!" - Michael Helge Rønnestad, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway
"A fascinating look into the way master therapists think about their work, this book will clearly be of enormous interest to practitioners across the entire range of experience levels. Jennings and Skovholt expand upon the already impressive body of their research in this field, now taking us around the globe. With its insightful, rich, and elegant development of themes, this will be a landmark work in the field." - Madeleine Crockett, PhD, Clinical Director, Whitaker Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility, Butner, North Carolina
"Jennings and Skovholt provide a global perspective on the professional and personal characteristics of master therapists. Featuring 72 master therapists from seven different countries, this incredibly rich text is an invaluable resource for all graduate training programs in counseling and psychotherapy." - Rebecca P. Ang, PhD, Associate Professor, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
"Expertise in Counseling and Psychotherapy is a solid contribution to expanding research in psychotherapeutic expertise generally and the expansion of psychotherapeutic research globally. The various studies presented in the book expand the conceptualizations of expertise beyond Western ideals, an effort that should be prioritized in psychological research. Reading the differing perspectives of expert therapists from around the world was
enjoyable and instructional, as if listening to and receiving guidance from a respected
mentor. Supervisors, educators, and graduate students may find these studies especially
useful when seeking to understand the nuances of counseling skill, as well as the complexity of multicultural influences in the counseling arena." --PsycCRITIQUES