Fast Facts for the Nurse Psychotherapist

Book excerpt: “[A] unique addition to the sparse literature on learning to become a nurse psychotherapist.... focuses not only on psychotherapeutic techniques, but also the work a nurse must be willing to do to become a skilled and helpful therapist.... a valuable resource for both psychiatric nursing graduate students and the practicing nurse psychotherapist.” —Angie S. Chesser, PhD, RN, APRN, CNS “Human beings are hot-wired biologically for relationship-building, and as such, it is the nurse–patient relationship that becomes central to healing.... This much-needed book gives voice to the very real perils of abandoning patients to pills. It is a clarion call to return to our roots and our strengths.” —Patrice Rancour, MS, RN Fast Facts for the Nurse Psychotherapist is the first book to guide the novice and experienced psychiatric APRN on the process of truly becoming a psychotherapist. It is grounded in the concept of self-reflection as a foundation for successful psychotherapeutic practice and addresses a variety of strategies and styles that foster positive outcomes; the use of dreams and other conscious/unconscious techniques; the clinical supervision process; and how to continually grow as an individual and therapist. This resource includes a variety of tools to promote self-reflection and provides practical considerations for the work environment, billing and other administrative responsibilities, and political concerns. Abundant case examples allow the reader to “sit in” on therapy sessions. The book also offers an overview of the history of the psychiatric nurse as therapist and the seminal work of Hildegard Peplau. Written in an approachable and conversational style, this unique resource will prepare nurse psychotherapists to become mindfully ready to help their clients to the fullest. Key Features: Highlights the importance of self-reflection and delivers helpful tools to promote it Provides strategies and styles for effective therapeutic practice Allows the reader to “sit in” on therapy sessions with vivid case examples Provides a foundation for independent professional and personal growth Written in an approachable, conversational style