This book explores the problems, dilemmas, double-binds and provocations that take place between therapists and their clients. The authors approach the content with humor and wisdom, challenging professionals to explore the real impact their values, assumptions, and personal interests have upon their clients. It was written to help therapists explore topics that are taboo, that receive only superficial treatment, or that provoke anxiety, discomfort, and confusion. In a culture of increasing professional accountability and liability, clinicians will benefit from implementing the commonsense suggestions made by the authors.

The text explores a wide range of topics, including feelings of incompetence; therapists' blunders; fee disasters; hatred for a patient; therapists getting sick, growing old, and dying; confusion about disability and accessibility; prayer with patients as part of therapy; boredom; patients with terrible body odor; therapists' fears and terrors; sexual orientation and self-disclosure; vulnerability; therapists' shame and guilt; difficult aspects of race and ethnicity; anger at patients; the experience of being fired; confusion about what to do; and betrayal of oneself, profession, and values to get ahead or just survive.

This book's model of learning encourages a mindful awareness of the complex, messy situations that occur in real life, of how therapists respond to them, and of the need for openness, honesty, courage, and constant questioning.

Educational Objectives

• Learn the basic myths about psychotherapists
• Learn how to question taboos, secrets and uncomfortable topics
• Learn how to confront fear, shame, guilt, sexual attraction, etc., in dealing with the taboo topics in therapy.
• Acquire a broader understanding of taboo clinical issues
• Increased awareness of one's own feelings on taboo topics.
• Learn the 17 possible clues to taboo topics.
• Learn the important conditions for exploring taboo topics.
• Learn how to confront an impasse: what to do when you do not know what to do.

Syllabus / Course Instructions

• The Course consists of reading the selected book, successfully completing an online posttest and filling out a course evaluation.
• The book is not included. It must be purchased separately. We have supplied a link to Amazon.com for your convenience.
• Purchasing your course will give you access to both a printable copy of the test and an online version. Print the test to use as a companion as you read the book and answer the questions.
• You cannot exit the online test once you begin, so have your answers available.