Although the authors have consulted hundreds of sources, research studies, and books by esteemed writers and scholars who have investigated facets of mastery in the practice of therapy, Kottler and Carlson have adopted a more informal, narrative tone in this book, one that allows them to speak informally and frankly about counseling and psychotherapy. The authors talk about some of the taboos, secrets, and forbidden aspects of the profession. 

Chapter 2 sets the stage for what follows by reviewing what we mostly know is true about excellence in the practice of therapy. In the chapters that are sequenced afterwards they cover some of the important facets of mastery including the practice of deep compassion and caring (Chapter 3), a set of sophisticated interpersonal skills (Chapter 4), remaining fully present in therapeutic encounters (Chapter 5), demonstrating a high level of domain and subdomain specific knowledge (Chapter 6), being clear-headed and honest with clients (Chapter 7), as well as with oneself in acknowledging mistakes (Chapter 8) and processing feedback (Chapter 9), and modeling the qualities we would most like our own clients to develop (Chapter 10).

Next the authors move on to discussing some of the attributes that truly distinguish excellence in clinical practice. This includes not only the mandated and critical responsiveness to cultural and individual differences of our clients, but also the deep understanding of commonalities that link all human experience (Chapter 11). Chapter 12 delves into one of the most taboo subjects in our field: the expression of non-demanding, platonic love. Kottler and Carlson explore creativity and originality in psychotherapy (Chapter 13), advocacy within communities or on a global scale (Chapter 14), and, finally,the authors close with a discussion about the ways we always fall short no matter how hard we strive for mastery (Chapter 15) and how we are all “works in progress” doing the best we can.

JEFFREY A. KOTTLER, PhD, is Professor of Counseling at California State University, Fullerton and Founder of Empower Nepali Girls, an organization that provides educational scholarships for at-risk children in Nepal.

JON CARLSON, Psy.D, Ed.D, is a Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Counseling at Governors State University, University Park, Illinois and a psychologist with the Wellness Clinic in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

Chapter 1 What IS a Master Therapist Anyway. . . And How Do You Get to Be One?

What IS a Master Therapist Anyway?

Different Standards of Mastery

Client and Therapist Perceptions of Outcomes

Definitions of Mastery by Experts on the Subject

Chapter 2 What We (Think We) Know So Far

A Movement Toward Consensus

What Does Make a Difference?

Talking to the Masters

What Famous Therapists Appear to Have in Common

Chapter 3 Deep Compassion and Caring

Creating Connections

Commitment and Investment

The Growth Edge

Chapter 4 Sophisticated Interpersonal Skills: Really, Really Listening

“How’d You Do That?”

Little Things Make a Huge Difference

Listening Differently

Being in the Moment

Chapter 5 Being Fully Present While Focusing On the Other

Altered States of Being

Mind Chatter

A Way of Being

Staying Present with Ourselves

Chapter 6 Knowing What Maybe/Probably/Mostly Makes a Difference

What Makes a Difference?

Beyond Understanding: Honoring Magic and Mystery

Chapter 7 Speaking the Truth

Lies in Therapy

Confronting Deception

Hard Truths

Taking Risks and Exploring the Unknown

Chapter 8 Making Mistakes—But Not the Same Ones Over and Over

Making Mistakes isn’t the Problem

Practicing Self-Compassion

Most Common Mistakes

Mistakes or Just Data to Process?

Chapter 9 Inviting and Responding to Constructive Feedback

Sources of Feedback

Clients are the Best Teachers

Feedback That’s Most Helpful

Processing Feedback Gratefully

Being Accountable to Ourselves, Our Colleagues, and Our Clients

Life-Changing Feedback

Recruiting Master Coaches and Mentors

How We Know What We Know

Chapter 10 Who You Are is as Important as What You Do

Who We Are Versus What We Do

Qualities of Master Therapists

Practicing Self-Compassion

Modeling As Best We Can

Chapter 11 Acknowledging Commonalities, Responding to Differences

Multiple Cultural Identities

An Individual’s Multiplicity of Cultures

What We Share in Common

Metabolizing Theory and Embracing Complexity

Chapter 12 Love is a Four-Letter Word in Therapy

Multiple Dimensions of Caring

Owning Our Personal Motives

Learning How to Love

Love is Always Possible

Chapter 13 Getting Wild, and a Little Crazy: Promoting Creative Breakthroughs

When Models and Theories Limit Our Creative Options

Sorting Out All the Voices in Our Heads

On Being Creative

Seeking New Knowledge While Embracing Mystery

You’ve Never Heard of the Most Creative Therapists

Thinking Differently About Problems

Where Has Creativity Gone?

Chapter 14 Promoting Social Interest and Advocacy

Who Has Time for This?

Real Master Therapists in Action

Consistent Themes Related to Advocacy Efforts

Let’s be Honest, Really Honest

Full Circle

Chapter 15 Being a Work in Progress

A Voracious Curiosity

Confronting Despair Versus Hope

What  Has Been MostHelpful Along the Way

What Has Been Least Helpful Along the Way

It’s About Relationships, Not Content

Mastery Means Being Able to Accept Mystery

Epilogue

References