Routledge Helping Skills Training for Nonprofessional Counselors: The LifeRAFT Model―Providing Relief through Actions, Feelings, and Thoughts

Helping Skills Training for Nonprofessional Counselors provides comprehensive training in mental health first aid. Through a trusted approach, grounded in evidence-based psychological research and counseling theory, this training manual provides step-by-step instruction in helping skills written exclusively for nonprofessionals. Focusing on the basics of nonprofessional counseling, the author has written an easy-to-read text that pinpoints strategies, action steps, and investigation procedures to be used by nonprofessionals to effectively aid those in distress. The LifeRAFT model integrates multi-theoretical bases, microskills training, evidence-based techniques, and instruction on ethical appropriateness. It also includes case studies, session transcripts, and practice exercises. With undergraduate students in applied psychology and nonprofessional counselors being the primary beneficiaries of this text, it is also ideal for anyone seeking training to effectively respond to mental health crises encountered in their everyday lives. Review "Dr. Elizabeth Campbell has created something truly remarkable―she has created an evidence-based helping skills model whereby carefully reading this book and methodically implementing its steps, anyone can become a nonprofessional helper. The LifeRAFT Model is presented step-by-step in this detailed book, and readers can come away with actual skills by learning about the swim stages, raft strategies, and sail steps. Dr. Campbell has written an important book that will truly lead to making an important positive difference in people’s lives, and we are fortunate that she has generously shared her expertise in this venue."R. Eric Landrum, PhD, Professor and Department Chair, Boise State University "The mental professional manpower shortage in America is enormous. We will never train enough counselors to ease the suffering of all those around us. Waiting until things get bad enough to warrant a referral to a professional is not the answer. The answer lies in this direct, practical, and useful guide to becoming more a thoughtful, caring, and helpful person to those in distress."Paul Quinnett, PhD, President and CEO of the QPR Institute, an educational organization dedicated to preventing suicide "Dr. Elizabeth Campbell has built a program for nonprofessional counselors upon a foundation of empirical research. Her application is ideal for undergraduate students; those that are going on to mental health professions will gain the essential skills they need and can later build upon, whereas students who pursue other careers will still find these techniques helpful in their everyday lives. This helping skills text also encourages beginning helpers to know the limits of their own competence―a crucial and often overlooked skill. I can't wait to utilize this resource in my own classroom!" Lindsey Root Luna, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, Associate Professor, Hope College About the Author Elizabeth L. Campbell, PhD, LP, LMFTA, CCC, is an associate professor of psychology at Whitworth University with over a decade of experience in counseling, researching, and teaching about the helping professions. She is an approved therapist supervisor and certified career counselor, and she provides therapy and supervises associate clinicians in private practice. Dr. Campbell has authored 16 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters.