This thoughtful, witty, and empathic book has helped over 100,000 readers break through conflicts and transform their personal and professional relationships. Becoming a better listener is not a one way street, you will learn how to make yourself heard when you have something important to say. Experienced therapist Mike Nichols provides easy-to-learn techniques and practical exercises that build your skills for:

Hearing what people mean, not just what they say

Resolving marital problems that are really 'listening problems'

Making sure both sides get heard in heated conflicts

Encouraging uncommunicative people to open up

Responding productively to complaining, nagging, or criticism

Numerous vivid examples are drawn from everyday life and Dr. Nichols work with therapy clients. They illustrate the five steps of responsive listening and how to put them into action in nearly any situation, even when someone is pushing your emotional buttons. A sympathetic ear can lead to better communication, fewer arguments, and stronger, more rewarding relationships.

Educational Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the clinician will be able to:

• Instruct clients on the importance and structure of 'active listening' so clients can better understand and connect with others.
• To illustrate the critical importance of commnication and connectiveness throughout the lifespan. From preverbal holding and making eye contact with an infant, to post-verbal squeezing an elderly person's hand in ICU.
• Demonstrate to clients in 'relationship counseling' exercises to identify how being 'listened to' or 'heard' makes the difference between 'feeling connected' s 'feeling isolated'.
• Clinicians will be able to identify 'communication breakdowns' e.g.,'is there a real dialogue going on, or 'are they just taking turns talking?'
• Therapists will be able to take their clients beyond 'verbal mechanics'. The authors says, 'There's a difference between 'showing interest' vs 'really taking an interest'.' For example, 'How was your week' vs 'How did your boyfriend respond to your concern about his drinking?'
• At the mega level, apart from the individual skills, clinicians will be able to instruct and encourage their clients similar to the author, 'listening can be looked at as a natural outgrowth or caring and concern for people'.

Syllabus / Course Instructions

• This course is appropriate for CE for beginning, intermediate and advanced level clinicians and addiction professionals.
• The Course consists of reading the selected book, (hardcover, paperback or ebook) 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 the author's web site and to Amazon.com for your convenience. The author's web site provides more download choices.
• 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 ready.

Additional Resources On This Site for CE

• The Optimistic Child: A Proven Program to Safeguard Children Against Depression and Build Lifelong Resilience
  by Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman: 11 CE Credits
• Flourish: A New Understanding of Well-being
  by Martin E.P. Seligman: 13 CE Credits
• The Emotionally Abusive Relationship
  by Beverly Engel: 10 CE Credits
• Learned Optimism: How To Change Your Mind and Your Life
  by Martin E.P. Seligman, PhD: 9 CE Credits
• Boundaries: When to Say Yes and How to Say No
  by Henry Cloud and John Townsend: 12 CE Credits
• ACT Made Simple: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
  by Russ Harris, MD: 11 CE Credits
• Authentic Happiness
  by Martin E. P. Seligman: 10 CE Credits

Additional Resources Not On This Site

• Russ Harris:
• Professional Associations:
• American Psychological Association
• Association of Social Work Boards
• National Board of Certified Counselors
• California Board of Behavioral Sciences

Bio: Michael Nichols, PhD

Michael P. Nichols, PhD, professor of psychology at the College of William and Mary, is the author of Stop Arguing with Your Kids, among numerous other books. He received is PhD from Rochester University, Rochester, New York. He did postdoctoral training in Family Therapy (U.S. Army, 1968-1970). He also did training with noted Marriage and Family Therapists, Murray Bowen and Salvador Minuchin. He is a well known therapist and a popular speaker.