Stephanie S. J. Drcar, PhD, is an assistant professor of counselor education at Cleveland State University, where she trains students to become professional counselors.

Kathryn C. MacCluskie, EdD, is a counselor educator with expertise in clinical skill development. In addition to her academic appointment, she sees clients in a small private practice.

Dakota King-White, PhD, is an associate professor and coordinator of school counseling at Cleveland State University. Her research focuses on developing mental health models in systems from a trauma-informed lens.

Section 1: Helping in a Complex World 1. Introduction to Helping 2. Ethical Helping Relationships 3. Helping in a Pluralistic Society 4. Human Development and the Helping Process Section 2: Techniques for Helping 5. Helping Behaviors: Nonverbal and Paraverbal Skills 6. Helping Behaviors: Verbal Skills to Encourage 7. Helping Behaviors: Verbal Skills to Understand and Connect 8. Helping Behaviors: Verbal Skills to Invite Exploration Section 3: Putting Helping Skills to Work 9. Basic Mental Health Assessment 10. Evidence-Based Practice 11. Helping Skill Integration

Helping Skills for Counselors and Health Professionals provides a model of foundational helping skills that is grounded in a multicultural framework. Chapters explicitly examine implicit bias and the role of culture and systems of oppression and marginalization within the lives of both individuals and communities. The text also uses ecological systems theory to assist readers in conceptualizing the ways in which culture influences communication styles, perceptions of professional helpers, and individual needs.
Readers will be introduced to concepts that increase awareness of micro and macro-level influences on helping skills, communication, and the patient's life. Within the book's multicultural framework, readers will also find tools for increasing self-awareness for improving the communication skills and cultural humility.