The therapist's toolbox : 26 tools and an assortment of implements for the busy therapist / Susan E. Carrell.

Includes bibliographical references.

Part One: Introduction: 1. Introduction: A resource for therapists--A description of what the book offers, including a section on how to use it-- Part II: Hammers, Saws, Screwdrivers, and Pliers: Toolsfor Every Project :- 2. Beyond the Genogram:Sand-Tray Therapy for Adults: The client creates an image of his or her family of origin using a sand tray and toy characters--3. Who am I Becoming?:- The client selects an object to symbolize his or her desired identity-- 4. Discovering the Inner Child:- The therapist introduces the client to his or her inner child through guided imagery--5. Dream a Little Dream:- The client learns how to work with dreams-- 6. The Life Line:- A quick and dirty version of the standard autobiography-- 7. Family Memories:- The client draws two scenes representing a happy and an unhappy family memory-- 8. Every Now and Zen: Meditation and Mindfulness for the Beginner:- The therapist teaches the client the basics of meditation and mindfulness as a treatment for anxiety--9 Journaling 101:- A journaling experience for any client-- 10. Favorite Fairy Tales:- The client writes about his or her favorite fairy tale-- Part III: Grout, Glue, Putty, and Filler: Tools for Couples Work:- 11. The Couple\'s love story:- The couple tells the therapist how they fell in love in the first place--12. The Paper Exercise:- The couple must negotiate a decision-- 13. Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Letting Go:- Both partners identify something they need to let go of-- 14. Resurrecting the Dead Relationship:- The couple has a chance to start over--15. Jake Got a Dog:- The therapist tells a parable that illustrates the cost of selfish/self-focused/narcissistic behavior-- 16. The Talking Stick:- The couple learns a communication technique--17. A Soulful Relationship:Nurturing the Mythical, Magical images of love:-Each partner takes photographs that express his or her images of the other and of their relationship-- Part IV: Measuring Tape, Levels, and Plumbs: Tools for Special Projects:- 18. Finding a safe place- The therapist takes the client to a safe place using guided imagery-- 19. Thin Places: A Way to Talk About God:- The client tells the therapist of a time when God was present-- 20. Enmeshment, Deconstructing the Net:- The therapist teaches the client about enmeshed relationships-- 21. Rock-Hard Resolve: Holding On:- The therapist gives the client a rock to symbolize his or her resolve about an issue-- 22. A Matter Of Perspective:- The therapist turns things upside down-- 23. Bridging The Gap: Getting beyond Insight:-The client draws his or her journey toward change, including roadblocks and stepping stones-- 24. Field Trips:- The therapist works with the client outside of the office-- 25. Rituals and Other Blessings:- The client and therapist participate in a healing activity-- 26. The Mother Interview:- The client interviews her mother-- 27. Necessary Journeys:- How claiming a true identity takes women to hell and back-- Part V: Nails, Tacks and Hooks: Small but Essential:- 28. Nails, Tacks and Hooks: But what if you did know?--Help in decision making--The cancer ward--Assessing relative importance--What would you tell your girlfriend?--Being your own best therapist-- The Forrest Fire:- Divide and conquer!--The First rule:- The importance of self-care--How women choose men:- The herd of bulls--They didn\'t mean to:- Accidents still have consequences--Your most precious natural resource:- We each have only so much energy--Good Judgment:-On learning good judgment--The dribble theory of happiness:- A popular theory of codependents--Once a pickle. . . A take on alcoholism/addiction--Sexual tensions:- Why men and women can\'t make sex work more easily--Real people:- Cutting to the chase in assessing a couple\'s level of intimacy--Toothpaste:- A metaphor for change.

This is a practical manual of easy-to-apply sure-fire therapy techniques for the busy therapist or counsellor. It answers the need many therapists have when they are stuck for a technique to introduce a certain psychological construct in a session.