SOME REFLECTIONS AFTER 40 YEARS OF TRYING TO BE AN EFFECTIVE PSYCHOTHERAPIST

Here are a few pointers culled from 40 years of clinical work, that I offer for the practice of effective and efficient psychotherapy: It is expedient to ''plant seeds,'' to make suggestions and offer recommend ations rather than customarily wait for the client to initiate matters . On the other hand, there are exceptions to virtually all rules, and an effective clinician will realize when to be directive or supportive , cold or warm, formal or informal, tough or tender. I refer to this d iscriminative function as being ''an authentic chameleon.'' Moreover, unless therapists know when certain boundaries or ethical principles s hould be transcended, their capacity to help a broad array of clients will be undermined. Finally, breadth is often more important than dept h because clients are likely to relapse unless they acquire a wide arr ay of coping skills.