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The Skilled Helper [with Exercises in Helping Skills]
THE SKILLED HELPER is internationally recognized for its successful problem-management and opportunity development approach to effective helping, and emphasizes the collaborative nature of the therapist-client relationship using a proven three-stage model that drives client problem-managing and opportunity-developing action.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1975
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
March 4, 2011
A necessary read for college. Good info, but you must be fully alert when reading or you will most assuredly fall asleep.
September 22, 2013
This book has a lot of good points but I find it very poorly presented. The case studies are contrived and feel condescending. After reading it, I feel like it could have been half the size.
part-read
January 18, 2016As another reviewer has mentioned, this is very dry. In the couple of years leading up to the course which used this book, I'd read dozens of academic psychology books (plenty more technical re. neuroscience) and this was the dullest by a considerable margin.
Also was not very happy with some of the approaches: had found I leaned more towards a person-centred approach with psychodynamic elements, and also one somewhat critical of state-mandated uses of psychology to create lots of tidy little uncomplaining, conforming worker bees (in book form the best critique along such lines looks to be The Happiness Industry: How the Government and Big Business Sold us Well-Being ). To take one example, sections such as 'encourage the client to see every problem as an opportunity' appear naive and unempathic when applied to some circumstances, may set people up to fail or be unrealistic, and can also encourage a client to be people-pleasing or presentation orientated rather than accessing how they really feel. Actual counselling should be dealing with a greater level of complexity than the average £6.99 self-help book. There are some brief therapy types, with certain types of people, such approaches are useful for, but the book, like government promoted attitudes (in the UK at least) encourages overapplication of these.
Most training programmes probably implicitly allow for differences in approach, but too many students on them, not having done much other research, and often not coming from an academic background, accept approaches like Egan's uncritically without considering whether they are always appropriate, and/or the socioeconomics behind them. One may be expected to use them in certain placements or jobs, but people should be encouraged to see that this approach is by far from the only one, and should be able to maintain an ability to think outside it.
Also was not very happy with some of the approaches: had found I leaned more towards a person-centred approach with psychodynamic elements, and also one somewhat critical of state-mandated uses of psychology to create lots of tidy little uncomplaining, conforming worker bees (in book form the best critique along such lines looks to be The Happiness Industry: How the Government and Big Business Sold us Well-Being ). To take one example, sections such as 'encourage the client to see every problem as an opportunity' appear naive and unempathic when applied to some circumstances, may set people up to fail or be unrealistic, and can also encourage a client to be people-pleasing or presentation orientated rather than accessing how they really feel. Actual counselling should be dealing with a greater level of complexity than the average £6.99 self-help book. There are some brief therapy types, with certain types of people, such approaches are useful for, but the book, like government promoted attitudes (in the UK at least) encourages overapplication of these.
Most training programmes probably implicitly allow for differences in approach, but too many students on them, not having done much other research, and often not coming from an academic background, accept approaches like Egan's uncritically without considering whether they are always appropriate, and/or the socioeconomics behind them. One may be expected to use them in certain placements or jobs, but people should be encouraged to see that this approach is by far from the only one, and should be able to maintain an ability to think outside it.
November 5, 2008
This book paired with Ed Teyber's "Interpersonal Process in Therapy" stay close to me - almost like devotional reading! The Skilled Helper has been good from a novice counselor viewpoint.
June 15, 2021
This is the second time I have been assigned this text as part of a university course, and for the second time I didn't love it. Its density makes it tedious to read. The approach is a good starting point but could be explained in fewer words to make it more user friendly.
August 29, 2008
This book has a poor layout and dry writing. The ideas/theory is interesting, but the text itself leaves much to be desired.
December 29, 2019
This is a very important book for those who work in a helping profession, especially those who do not naturally have an empathic inclination, or those who struggle to truly listen to the patient, or client. The book also goes over what may happen during helping sessions on the end of the client, and how it can be ethically, and professionally responded too. A great read.
July 2, 2024
As others have said, an informative volume, but keeps going over the same ground and becomes a laborious read.
April 7, 2019
A set text for my counselling diploma.
Gerard Egan has a 3 step solution focused model for helping professionals, including counsellors.
The book is reasonably well laid out with lots of case studies from a wide variety of sources including relationships, people with serious psychiatric problems and the criminal justice system. To be honest I skipped past a lot of the case studies to get to the meat of the text. The case studies have an obviously American bias which means they can sound a bit odd for a British reader.
The book can be repetitive, it is not always easy to find the information you need, for example advanced empathy is a skill discussed only in stage 1 when it is relevant throughout the book. The book could easily have been seriously condensed.
It is a handy model to study, the idea that all clients can be helped to move forward no matter how entrenched their problems are is a good one. The steps make sense when followed in order.
I have the 4th edition, the 5th edition has a slightly better lay out.
Gerard Egan has a 3 step solution focused model for helping professionals, including counsellors.
The book is reasonably well laid out with lots of case studies from a wide variety of sources including relationships, people with serious psychiatric problems and the criminal justice system. To be honest I skipped past a lot of the case studies to get to the meat of the text. The case studies have an obviously American bias which means they can sound a bit odd for a British reader.
The book can be repetitive, it is not always easy to find the information you need, for example advanced empathy is a skill discussed only in stage 1 when it is relevant throughout the book. The book could easily have been seriously condensed.
It is a handy model to study, the idea that all clients can be helped to move forward no matter how entrenched their problems are is a good one. The steps make sense when followed in order.
I have the 4th edition, the 5th edition has a slightly better lay out.
April 1, 2022
Read the 2018 version. Egan is a fun writer, he puts a lot of effort into making his writing engaging and cheeky. His model, well, I have some problems with it, but the book is very neatly structured around the model. My main problem with the model is that it does not really add anything to a counselling process that is not as clearly and more succinctly explained in other manuals. Egan is also kinda annoying, occasionally inserting a political take or general experience when like, maybe it wasn't relevant. There wasn't a lot relevant to counselling experience here for me and that was frustrating but it's probably an okay intro to counseling kinda book (an okay one, there are better ones). Also the book does this thing where they make a claim and then don't reference, which is usually something I don't pick up on but there were a couple times where I wanted to actually look up the referenced material and was left a bit annoyed. Also fuck mindtap, annoying ass e-learning logging me out constantly. If you can steal this book.
July 11, 2020
The 3-stage model for care is nice and fairly clear. The best thing about the book is the pattern throughout of counselled statement, counselor response and then discussion. This really helps make the book both more interesting and clearer.
June 11, 2011
This is the textbook for the Communications course at Athabasca University that is part of the Bachelor of Management program that I'm enrolled in.
September 12, 2014
Egan's chapter on empathy should be mandatory reading for human beings...
March 18, 2017
Great information, but oh my god, this was the dullest, wordiest book I've ever read.
January 15, 2018
Fantastic book. Applicable Positive Psychology always makes me smile.
June 11, 2018
A very dry book, with lot of pop psychology
December 5, 2017
Definitions are important. While I consider the framework of this book, I am aware that the title is The Skilled Helper. Not, “The Skilled Counselor,” nor, “The Skilled Therapist”. This is why many of the complaints about this book are focused from the perspective that this text should be exclusively about counseling or therapy. Although many aspects of these processes are incorporated into the text, it is not a stand-alone reference for either counseling or therapy. What it is about is “‘client-directed and outcome-informed’ (CDOI) helping” (Duncan et al., 2010, as cited in Egan, 2014, p.8).
Mainly, this book strives to set the foundations of client focused life-enhancing outcomes. Further, it is about how to establish a collaborative relationship with clients and help inform meaningful communication that enhance the helping process. From establishing the parameters of problem-management and opportunity development, through the relationship and communication building skills, the culmination is in the proposed purpose of helping; viz., successful outcomes for the client.
Of particular interest, this book presents a model of helping that can assist conceptualization of the process of engagement with clients. From (1) understanding the client’s perspective of the problem, through (2) what the client needs or wants, and culminating in (3) the process of achievement, the skilled-helper model accentuates the need for effective skills in communication. Moreover, it is a reminder that counseling and therapy are not just about understanding a client’s weaknesses, problems, or particular symptomology; helping people is about bringing forth the subjective strength of the individual and nurturing what is best in them. “[H]elping at its best provides clients with tools to become more effective self-helpers” (Egan, 2014, p. 11).
Ultimately, a counselor will be informed by their theory and strive for expertise in the basics, whereas a skilled counselor will augment their practice with proven methods and evidence-based practices that are informed by research. This book presents methods that can be utilized once the basics are obtained. This may be the difficulty in using this book at a beginning level of counseling. Perhaps, it may be more suited to enhancing the counseling process.
From a personal perspective, I will keep a copy of this book and refer to it when necessary. Especially for those tiny kernels of knowledge, such as, “Our task as therapists is not to talk our clients into taking control of their lives, but to confirm the fact that they already are and always will be” (Driscoll, 1984, as cited in Egan, 2014 p. 394). Moreover, for the recognition, and discussion, of the shadow-side realities inherent in the helping relationship.
Happy Reading!
June 28, 2023
This book is a recommended read from the advance in life coaching course by Kain Ramsay I am taking.
I never thought of helping as a skill, but reading this book definitely opened my eyes to the ideas given. The author, Gerard Egan, unpacks the skill in such a way that makes this a must read for every person who wants to help in whichever capacity.
The truths within opens a different world, helping you to become more approachable and with greater understanding when you reach out to those in need.
The book is divided into three parts, laying the groundwork, the therapeutic dialogue and the skilled helper problem-management and opportunity development approach to helping.
Each thoroughly discussed, with case studies to really understand the ideas presented.
"Helpers who understand the uncertainties associated with the helping professions and their processes are in a better position to help clients deal with the uncertainties of their lives." Explains the writer in the first part of this book.
Practical formulas are included to help you help the client understand the problem they face. It also helps to lay the groundwork of how to take them from stuck to a fulfilled life.
As re-engineers, a helper's role is fundamental, and gives you a better grasp of mindsets and how to approach each one. Each individual is unique and therefore, your way of help should also be unique and not a cookie-cutter approach. We do not want to change people, but help them find a way of taking the leap of trusting and moving forward within their life.
It is easy to read, and the more scientific words and discussion are broken down to clarify it to each person who is reading this. There are so many truths revealed that this would be my go to book whenever I need some guidance in my life and that of a client.
"All relationships have the potential for complexity and uncertainty. The helping relationship is a particular kind of relationship. It has to be established relatively quickly and must, from the beginning, be focused on client-enhancing outcomes, but it is always a work in progress. Collaboration is a two-way street. If done well, it reduces uncertainty."
A book I will definitely recommend to all who want to make an impact in another's life.
I never thought of helping as a skill, but reading this book definitely opened my eyes to the ideas given. The author, Gerard Egan, unpacks the skill in such a way that makes this a must read for every person who wants to help in whichever capacity.
The truths within opens a different world, helping you to become more approachable and with greater understanding when you reach out to those in need.
The book is divided into three parts, laying the groundwork, the therapeutic dialogue and the skilled helper problem-management and opportunity development approach to helping.
Each thoroughly discussed, with case studies to really understand the ideas presented.
"Helpers who understand the uncertainties associated with the helping professions and their processes are in a better position to help clients deal with the uncertainties of their lives." Explains the writer in the first part of this book.
Practical formulas are included to help you help the client understand the problem they face. It also helps to lay the groundwork of how to take them from stuck to a fulfilled life.
As re-engineers, a helper's role is fundamental, and gives you a better grasp of mindsets and how to approach each one. Each individual is unique and therefore, your way of help should also be unique and not a cookie-cutter approach. We do not want to change people, but help them find a way of taking the leap of trusting and moving forward within their life.
It is easy to read, and the more scientific words and discussion are broken down to clarify it to each person who is reading this. There are so many truths revealed that this would be my go to book whenever I need some guidance in my life and that of a client.
"All relationships have the potential for complexity and uncertainty. The helping relationship is a particular kind of relationship. It has to be established relatively quickly and must, from the beginning, be focused on client-enhancing outcomes, but it is always a work in progress. Collaboration is a two-way street. If done well, it reduces uncertainty."
A book I will definitely recommend to all who want to make an impact in another's life.
December 5, 2025
I like The Skilled Helper: 3 bill-stars. Fwiw, I read the 11th edition.
I like that this book emphasizes the practical side of counseling. I am currently pursuing a Master's degree in counseling and I've already gotten a snootful of the academic side of things. Egan's approach is a nice complement to what I've already learned. The downside is that the writing is dry and a bit repetitive, but I still enjoyed the book and learned a lot.
Key points: Emphasize the basics, Professional vs academic approach, Helpers and clients as entrepreneurs, Effective decision-making, and his baby, the framework called "The Skilled Helper Model." He uses his framework to help clients improve their basic problem-solving skills.
QOTD
Become a helping entrepreneur!
- Last sentence in The Skilled Helper
That's what I'm talking about. I aspire to become a helping entrepreneur.
A good read. thanks...yow, bill
August 21, 2021
This was my favorite read for school. Most help books are focused on how to help yourself, this one is focused on how to help others. From initiating a therapy session and putting the client at ease, to discovering why the client is in your office and finally providing the help he needs.
For sure, it's fascinating to see what it's like sitting on the other side of the chair. I understood why people succumb to victimization, accusations, repeated patterns... This book has it all to appease your psychology interest.
There were dozens of cases to learn from, although I must mention that the exercise manual (at approximation of 50%) are team exercises. Hence, if you are reading it without a school program, I recommend skipping on the exercise book and saving a few bucks.
For sure, it's fascinating to see what it's like sitting on the other side of the chair. I understood why people succumb to victimization, accusations, repeated patterns... This book has it all to appease your psychology interest.
There were dozens of cases to learn from, although I must mention that the exercise manual (at approximation of 50%) are team exercises. Hence, if you are reading it without a school program, I recommend skipping on the exercise book and saving a few bucks.
June 11, 2020
As someone currently studying counselling, I found this book a really useful insight into integrated therapy. Egan is perhaps the best-known integrative therapist, but there are lots of approaches with subtle differences. At its heart though, Egan's theory concerns applying a person-centred approach but one which is a lot more therapist-driven, with questioning and direction commonplace. The book is very detailed and there's a lot to get through - nobody can accuse Egan of not being thorough. The debate of course still continues as to whether you can apply a rigid method with fixed stages to the model of person-centred theory.
June 27, 2020
My husband read "The Skilled Helper: A Problem-Management and Opportunity-Development Approach to Helping - Standalone Book (HSE 123 Interviewing Techniques) 11th Edition" for his masters in counseling degree. He described the book as "a must read text for anyone who wants to build healthy relationships through communication." However, the book is specifically designed for counseling and therapy at home and in the business world. The strategies outlined should be delivered by anyone who is comfortable or have the expertise in health and human relationships such as counselors, psychiatrists, or psychologists.
January 19, 2025
Remember the part in the beginning of Dead Poets’ Society where Mr. Keating (Robin Williams) has the students read that book intro about graphing how artful and meaningful a poem is on and x and y axis? That’s what this book is like. It takes the process of connecting with another human being and boils the emotion out until it’s some weird 50’s jello abomination.
April 17, 2025
Heavily outdated by now on some regards (Eighth Edition - 2007) thus the lower score. Would have enjoyed reading an updated version. It's heavily Western but acknowledges that and has a take what works leave what doesn't approach which I can respect.
Learned lots, not upset about the time it took to read.
I am also reading an older copy of "Challenging Oppression" by Bob Mullaly which gives extra flavour to this book and if you tackle Skilled Helper I'd suggest grabbing Challenging Oppression or a similar book to accompany it.
Learned lots, not upset about the time it took to read.
I am also reading an older copy of "Challenging Oppression" by Bob Mullaly which gives extra flavour to this book and if you tackle Skilled Helper I'd suggest grabbing Challenging Oppression or a similar book to accompany it.
November 13, 2021
Read this book for a graduate course that I took that was a required text. Normally I can’t stand textbooks haha! But this one was really good because it gives you real world examples of how to apply the principals and skills. Currently on the LPC track as I write this review and definitely recommend this book to anyone looking to become a counselor l.
July 27, 2022
I've gained a lot of insight from this book. However, while there is value in repetition, this book is an example of how one can state the same principles in a hundred different ways and pages. Could have been much more succinct and dare I say less boring without sacrificing the value of the model or message
March 30, 2023
A lot of useful advice and illuminating case studies to back his counselling model. Suffers from being to US-centric but that is understandable given that he is an American who doesn't appear to have worked outside of his homeland. Most important take-away is not to be rigid as every client is different.
May 9, 2020
If only I had read this whilst working through my level 2 counselling course. An excellent book that breaks down the helping process into easily understandable chunks with examples from real life through out. I would throughly recommend this book for anyone thinking or engaged in helping
April 19, 2019
Not bad
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews