Helping Skills for Human Service Workers

This updated and expanded fourth edition continues the themes of previous editions by emphasizing current supporting research on ways that human service workers can build relationships with their clients and encourage productive change. The chapters are arranged in the following manner: Chapter 1 discusses several basic issues regarding the development and use of helping skills. Chapter 2 explores common modes of response. Chapter 3 examines several keys to fostering positive relationships. Chapter 4 presents a step-by-step approach to problem solving. Chapter 5 focuses on responses that can hinder progress. Chapter 6 presents a straightforward approach to establishing goals, objectives, and plans. Chapter 7 describes channels of nonverbal information and commonly encountered nonverbal messages. Chapter 8 highlights endeavors that take center stage before, during, and after scheduled appointments. Chapter 9 considers the needs of several groups, such as children, older persons, clients having low socioeconomic status, individuals experiencing psychosis, and persons dealing with longstanding issues. New research on the following topics is included: the helping alliance, client feedback, communicating positive regard, self-efficacy and stress in helping skills students, responding to negative feelings, methods for implementing plans, and person-centered decision making that is required by law (under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) for certain older and disabled individuals. There are learning aids in the form of multiple-choice, short-answer, and fill-in-the-response questions and answers. Two complete client interviews illustrate the value of the skills being advocated. The text is further enhanced by an appendix offering helpful exercises and sample formats. This informative book is designed for students and professionals in a variety of human service fields, including counseling, psychology, social work, and criminal justice.