A consumer's guide to counseling and psychotherapy

Includes bibliographical references (pages 35-43)The purpose of the Consumer's Guide to Counseling and Psychotherapy is to make available to the lay public the information they need to be wise consumers of these services, and to encourage them to be aware of their rights and selective in their choices. Written in simple language, with cartoon illustrations to accentuate a friendly tone, the subjects are kept as brief and concise as possible. Advice and hints are offered just often enough to help raise the reader's consciousness toward being a wise consumer. The Guide is divided into six parts: An introduction states the need for better consumer awareness toward counseling and psychotherapy, anticipates the reader's needs for information and awareness, touches on the purposes of psychotherapy and roles of therapists, and describes some things to expect in a first visit. Section 1 suggests how to choose an appropriate therapist, focusing on the therapist's credentials and those personal qualities Which are important to the relationship. Section 2 covers the client's basic rights, discussing fees, confidentiality, records, insurance, the therapist's conduct and filing a complaint. Section 3 lists and describes the qualifications of eight different kinds of professionals who practice psychotherapy, and gives the addresses of the agencies Which govern them. Section 4 describes the nature and advantages of four modes of therapy, personal counseling, relationship counseling, family therapy and group therapy. Section 5 is an appendix offering additional information on myths and misconceptions about psychotherapy, specialized therapies, hotlines, a brief note about theories, hospitalization and patients' rights, medication, and professional associations. Presentation and format are important to the effect the Guide will have on the lay reader, and so the entire text is presented in two forms , as a manuscript with references, and as a complete facimile in booklet form with illustrations