Foundations in Becoming a Professional Counselor

Helps counselors-in-training develop their sense of identity as advocates and seekers of social justice

Distinguished by a potent social justice and multicultural perspective, this comprehensive introductory text for counselors-in-training delivers foundational concepts through the lens of advocacy and intersectionality. This book emphasizes exploration of the individual and collective effect of local, national, and global social issues on clients and their communities and imparts real world experiences from authors and clinical experts who provide personal accounts of challenges and successes in their practices.

The text examines key evidence-based counseling theories with an in-depth focus on trauma-informed counseling and prompts reflection and dialogue about critical issues in counselor development. It introduces specific counseling micro-skills, techniques, and modalities and describes the varied settings in which counselors can practice. Engaging activities that foster self-analysis and self-actualization illuminate the path to becoming a professional counselor. Chapters encompass several features that promote high-level thinking and reinforce understanding of content. These include reflection exercises that relate chapter content to individual counselor identity, learning objectives at the beginning of each chapter, Voices from the Field to bring counseling to life, Call to Action features to help students put learning into action, case studies, Group Process activities, and additional resources. Abundant instructor activities include Instructor's Manual, Test Bank, PowerPoints, and video podcasts. Purchase includes digital access for use on most mobile devices or computers.

Key Features:

• Addresses the foundations of counseling through the perspective of multiculturalism, advocacy, social justice, and intersectionality


• Emphasizes understanding of the individual and collective effect of social issues on clients and their communities


• Includes podcast interviews with clinical experts and Voices from the Field


• Weaves the concept of trauma-informed counseling throughout


• Covers such trending topics as telemental health, the influence of climate change, psychedelic-assisted therapies, the effect of social media on counseling, and neuroscience


• Offers engaging self-actualization and reflection activities to enhance counselor training


• Includes learning objectives, Call to Action features, Think About This reflection exercises, Group Process activities, case studies, and more in each chapter


• Offers an abundant ancillaries package including Instructor's Manual, Test Bank, chapter PowerPoints, and video podcasts