English for Psychotherapy and Counselling: Handbook for Practitioners. Английский для психотерапии и консультирования: практическое руководство

5. Clinical psychology is not _______ (medical) as psychiatry.

6. Psychotherapy can be _______ (effective) than medication for some conditions.

7. Clinical psychologists do _______ (much) research than general counsellors.

8. Assessment skills are _______ (important) in clinical psychology than in some other areas.

Exercise 3: Correct the mistakes

Find and correct the mistakes in these sentences:

1. A clinical psychologist are working with complex mental health conditions.

2. Psychiatrist training is more longer than counselling training.

3. Does psychiatrists prescribes medication?

4. A psychotherapist don’t just provide therapy; they also works with emotions.

5. Psychological assessment is as important than medication in clinical practice.

6. What a counselling psychologist do during a first session?

7. Clinical psychologists works in hospitals, clinics, and private practice.

8. Is clinical psychology more scientific than counselling psychology?

9. A counsellor are helping clients with mild to moderate difficulties.

10. Psychiatrists is medical doctors who can prescribe medications.

11. Does a psychotherapist needs a doctoral degree?

12. Counselling psychologists provides talk therapy and don’t diagnose conditions.

COMMUNICATION: Understanding Mental Health Professionals: An Interview with Dr. Sarah Mitchell

Participants: Rebecca Williams (Reporter, Mental Health Today Magazine) and Dr. Sarah Mitchell (Clinical Psychologist, Private Practice)

Reporter: Good morning, Dr. Mitchell. Thank you for agreeing to talk with us today. Our readers are often confused about the differences between mental health professionals. Can you help us understand who does what?

Dr. Mitchell: Of course! I’m happy to clarify. It’s a common confusion, and it’s actually quite important to understand the distinctions.

Reporter: Let’s start with psychiatrists. How are they different from psychologists?

Dr. Mitchell: Well, the main difference is their training and what they can do. Psychiatrists are medical doctors. They go to medical school and can prescribe medication. They focus mainly on the biological aspects of mental health – things like brain chemistry and medications that can help with conditions like depression or anxiety.

Reporter: I see. And what about clinical psychologists? That’s your specialty, right?

Dr. Mitchell: Yes, exactly. Clinical psychologists have a doctoral degree in psychology, not medicine. We can’t prescribe medication, but we’re trained to diagnose mental health conditions and provide therapy. We also do psychological assessments and testing to understand what’s going on with a person’s mental health.

Reporter: So, you both diagnose, but only psychiatrists prescribe?

Dr. Mitchell: Correct. And I should mention counselling psychologists too. They’re similar to clinical psychologists, but they typically work with less severe issues – like relationship problems, stress management, or life transitions. They focus more on helping people with everyday challenges rather than serious mental disorders.

Reporter: That’s helpful. What about psychotherapists? Where do they fit in?

Dr. Mitchell: Psychotherapist is actually a more general term. It can include clinical psychologists, counseling psychologists, and other professionals who provide talk therapy. The key is that psychotherapists use various therapeutic approaches to help people change their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.

Reporter: Speaking of approaches, can you briefly explain the main types of psychotherapy?

Dr. Mitchell: Sure! There are three major approaches we commonly use. The first is psychodynamic therapy, which comes from Freud’s work. It focuses on unconscious thoughts and how our past, especially childhood, experiences affect us today. It’s often long-term therapy.

Reporter: And the second approach?

Dr. Mitchell: That’s cognitive-behavioural therapy, or CBT. This is very popular today because it’s practical and usually shorter. CBT helps people identify negative thought patterns and change them. The idea is that if you change how you think, you’ll change how you feel and behave. It works really well for anxiety and depression.

Reporter: I’ve heard a lot about CBT, and what’s the third approach?

Dr. Mitchell: The third is humanistic therapy, which includes person-centered therapy. This approach believes that everyone has the potential to grow and solve their own problems. The therapist creates a supportive, non-judgmental environment where clients can explore their feelings and find their own solutions. Carl Rogers developed this approach.

Reporter: So different approaches for different people?

Dr. Mitchell: Exactly. Some people benefit more from exploring their past, others need practical strategies they can use right away, and some just need a safe space to figure things out themselves. Many therapists today actually combine approaches based on what each client needs.

Reporter: That makes sense. One last question – if someone is struggling with mental health issues, how do they know which professional to see?

Dr. Mitchell: Good question! If you think you might need medication, start with a psychiatrist. If you want therapy and psychological testing, a clinical psychologist is a good choice. For relationship issues or life stress, a counselling psychologist or counsellor works well. And remember, many people see both a psychiatrist for medication and a psychologist for psychotherapy.

Reporter: Dr. Mitchell, thank you so much for making this clearer for our readers.

Dr. Mitchell: My pleasure. The most important thing is that people get the help they need, no matter which professional they choose!

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TASK 1: True / False / Not Mentioned

Instructions: Read the statements below about the interview. Decide if each statement is:

• TRUE (T) – the statement agrees with the information in the interview

• FALSE (F) – the statement contradicts the information in the interview

• NOT MENTIONED (N/M) – the information is not given in the interview

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Statements:

1. Psychiatrists go to medical school and can prescribe medication.

2. Clinical psychologists work only in hospitals.

3. CBT is the oldest approach to psychotherapy.

4. Counselling psychologists typically work with serious mental disorders.

5. Dr. Mitchell has a doctoral degree in psychology.

6. Psychotherapist is another name for psychiatrist.

7. Clinical psychologists can do psychological assessments and testing.

8. Dr. Mitchell thinks medication is more effective than therapy.

9. Psychiatrists focus on the biological aspects of mental health.

10. Psychodynamic therapy focuses on childhood experiences and unconscious thoughts.

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Task 2: Personal Response

Discuss: which professional would you prefer to see and why? Which therapy approach sounds most interesting to you?

Task 3: Creating a Comparison Chart

Try to create a visual comparison chart of the four professionals (education, what they can do, typical clients/patients, work settings).

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE:

Self-Introduction as a Psychology Professional

Sample Introductions

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Counselling Psychologist

Hello, my name is Sarah Mitchell, and I’m a counselling psychologist. I work with individuals and couples who are experiencing difficulties in their personal relationships or facing challenging life transitions. My approach focuses on helping clients develop coping strategies and build resilience. I specialize in stress management and career counselling. I’ve been practicing for eight years, and I currently work at a community mental health center. I believe in creating a supportive, non-judgmental environment where clients feel comfortable exploring their concerns.

Psychiatrist

Good morning. I’m Dr. James Chen, a psychiatrist at St. Mary’s Hospital. I assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions from a medical perspective. My work involves evaluating patients’ symptoms, prescribing medication when appropriate, and monitoring treatment progress. I specialize in mood disorders and anxiety-related conditions. In addition to medication management, I collaborate with psychologists and therapists to ensure comprehensive care for my patients. I completed my medical degree and psychiatric residency at Johns Hopkins University.

Clinical Psychologist

Hi, I’m Dr. Emma Rodriguez. I’m a clinical psychologist specializing in assessment and treatment of psychological disorders. I conduct psychological evaluations, administer diagnostic tests, and provide evidence-based therapy for individuals with various mental health conditions. My areas of expertise include depression, trauma, and personality disorders. I use cognitive-behavioural therapy and psychodynamic approaches in my practice. I work both in private practice and as a consultant at a local psychiatric hospital.

Psychotherapist

Hello, I’m Michael Thompson, a licensed psychotherapist. I provide talk therapy to help people understand their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. I work with clients dealing with anxiety, relationship issues, and personal growth challenges. My therapeutic approach is integrative, drawing from humanistic and existential traditions. I’ve been in practice for twelve years and currently see clients in both individual and group therapy settings. My goal is to help people gain insight and make meaningful changes in their lives.

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Useful Phrases for Self-Presentation

Stating Your Name and Title

• My name is…, and I’m a…

• I’m Dr./Mr./Ms. …, a licensed/qualified…

• You can call me… I work as a…

Describing Your Role

• I specialize in…

• My main focus is…

• I work with clients/patients who…

• My area of expertise is…

• I primarily deal with…

Explaining Your Approach

• I use/practice…

• My approach is based on…

• I combine… with…

• I believe in…

• My therapeutic style is…

Mentioning Your Experience

• I’ve been practising for… years

• I have… years of experience in…

• I completed my training at…

• I previously worked at/as…

Describing Your Work Setting

• I work at/in…

• I’m currently based at…

• I maintain a private practice in…

• I see clients both in… and…

Highlighting Your Goals

• My goal is to help clients…

• I aim to support people in…

• I focus on helping patients…

• I work towards…

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Practice Exercises

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Exercise 1: Complete Your Introduction

Fill in the blanks with information about yourself to create your own professional introduction.

Hello, my name is __________, and I’m a __________. I work with __________ who are experiencing __________. My approach focuses on __________. I specialize in __________. I’ve been practising/studying for __________, and I currently work/study at __________. I believe in __________.

Exercise 2: Match and Complete

Match the sentence starters with appropriate endings, then write three sentences about yourself.

Sentence starters:

• My main focus is…

• I’ve been practising for…

• My therapeutic approach is based on…

• I work with clients who…

• My goal is to help…

Possible endings:

• …are struggling with anxiety and stress

• …cognitive-behavioural principles

• …supporting people through difficult transitions

• …five years in various clinical settings

• …working with children and adolescents

Exercise 3: Build Your Introduction (Step-by-Step)

Write one sentence for each category to build your complete introduction:

1. Name and title: _________________________________

2. Who you work with: _________________________________

3. Your specialization: _________________________________

4. Your approach/methods: _________________________________

5. Your experience/education: _________________________________

6. Your workplace: _________________________________

7. Your professional philosophy: ______________________________

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Exercise 4: Listening and Note-Taking

Listen to your partner’s introduction and complete the information:

• Name and title: _________________________________

• Specialization: _________________________________

• Type of clients: _________________________________

• Approach/methods: _________________________________

• Experience: _________________________________

• Current workplace: _________________________________

Vocabulary and collocations for Unit 1

psychology – психология

counselling – консультирование

psychotherapy – психотерапия

psychiatry – психиатрия

mental health – психическое здоровье

clinical psychology – клиническая психология

clinical psychologist – клинический психолог

psychiatrist – психиатр

counselling psychologist – психолог-консультант

psychotherapist – психотерапевт

emotional difficulties – эмоциональные трудности

mental health problems – проблемы психического здоровья

mental health professionals – специалисты по психическому здоровью

evidence-based methods – методы, основанные на научных данных

prescribe medication – назначать лекарства

psychological interventions – психологические вмешательства/интервенции

mental health disorders – расстройства психического здоровья

psychological distress – психологический дистресс

adjustment problems – проблемы адаптации

severe mental disorders – тяжелые психические расстройства

psychological assessment – психологическая оценка

assessment tools – инструменты оценки

clinical interview – клиническое интервью

behavioural observations – поведенческие наблюдения

psychometric tests – психометрические тесты

comprehensive psychological evaluation – всесторонняя психологическая оценка

mental health clinics – клиники психического здоровья

rehabilitation centers – реабилитационные центры

private practice – частная практика

treatment plans – планы лечения

assessment findings – результаты оценки

monitor client progress – отслеживать прогресс клиента

adjust treatment – корректировать лечение

healthcare professionals – медицинские специалисты

clinical supervision – клиническая супервизия

personal development – личностное развитие

life transitions – жизненные переходы

adjustment issues – проблемы адаптации

cope with – справляться с

relationship conflicts – конфликты в отношениях

coping strategies – стратегии совладания

solution-focused – ориентированный на решение

underlying emotional patterns – скрытые эмоциональные паттерны

psychological methods – психологические методы

change behaviourehavior – изменить поведение

increase well-being – повысить благополучие

overcome problems – преодолеть проблемы

unconscious patterns – бессознательные паттерны

biological treatments – биологические методы лечения

negative automatic thoughts – негативные автоматические мысли

cognitive distortions – когнитивные искажения

unconscious processes – бессознательные процессы

childhood experiences – детские переживания

relationship patterns – паттерны отношений

gain insight – обрести/получить инсайт

therapeutic relationship – терапевтические отношения

transference – перенос

countertransference – контрперенос

personal growth – личностный рост

self-actualization – самоактуализация

inherent capacity – врожденная способность

unconditional positive regard – безусловное позитивное принятие

self-awareness – самосознание

authenticity – аутентичность

psychopathology – психопатология

mental health condition – состояние психического здоровья

UNIT 2.

FIRST CONTACT AND BUILDING RAPPORT

LEAD-IN:

First Impressions and Creating a Safe Space

Activity 1: First Impressions Matter

Think about your own experiences. Reflect individually for 2 minutes, then share with a partner:

• What makes you feel comfortable when meeting someone new in a professional setting?

• Can you remember a time when someone made you feel welcome immediately? What did they do?

• What might make a person feel nervous about meeting a psychologist for the first time?

• How quickly do you form an impression of a new person? Do first impressions change?

Activity 2: Creating a Safe Space

Work in small groups. Look at these scenarios and discuss: Which therapist behaviours help build trust? Which might create barriers?

Scenario A: The therapist greets the client warmly, offers them a choice of where to sit, and begins by saying, “I’m glad you’re here. Take your time to settle in”.

Scenario B: The therapist immediately starts asking detailed questions about the client’s problems without any introduction.

Scenario C: The therapist explains what will happen in today’s session and checks if the client has any questions before beginning.

Scenario D: The therapist talks extensively about their own qualifications and achievements.

Activity 3: Think-Pair-Share

Think (1 minute): What questions might a client have when they first meet a psychologist?

Pair (3 minutes): Share your ideas with a partner and add to your list.

Share (5 minutes): Groups share with the class. Create a master list on the board.

Key vocabulary for this unit:

Match the words with their definitions:

1. Rapport

2. Therapeutic alliance

3. Confidentiality

4. Boundaries

5. Informed consent

6. Safe space

a) The agreement to protect private information shared in therapy

b) Professional limits that define the therapeutic relationship

c) A trusting connection between therapist and client

d) Permission given by a client after receiving full information about treatment

e) The collaborative relationship between therapist and client working toward goals

f) An environment where a client feels comfortable expressing themselves

READING:

The First Meeting with a Client: Building Trust and Therapeutic Alliance

Pre-reading task

Before you read, discuss with a partner:

1. What do you think happens in the first therapy session?

2. What information should a therapist provide for a new client?

3. How might a client feel during their first meeting with a psychologist?

4. What makes a good first impression in a professional helping relationship?

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The First Meeting with a Client: Building Trust and Therapeutic Alliance

The initial therapy session is unlike any other professional encounter. For the client, it often represents a significant step – one that may have taken weeks or months of consideration before they finally picked up the phone to make an appointment. Many clients arrive feeling anxious, uncertain, or vulnerable. They may be wondering: “Will this person understand me? Can they really help? What if I’m judged?” For the therapist, the first session is an opportunity to create a foundation of trust and safety that will support all future therapeutic work.

Creating the Right Environment

The first impression begins before any words are spoken. Research shows that the therapeutic alliance – the collaborative relationship between therapist and client – is often established in the first session and remains stable throughout treatment. This means that what happens in the initial meeting matters tremendously.

When greeting a new client, warmth and professionalism are equally important. A therapist typically welcomes the client in the waiting area, makes eye contact, offers a warm greeting, and invites them to follow to the therapy room. Some therapists offer a brief tour, which helps the client orient themselves and reduces anxiety. Simple gestures like offering the client a choice of where to sit can give them a sense of control and comfort.

The therapy room itself should feel safe and private. Comfortable seating, appropriate lighting, and the absence of distractions all contribute to creating what therapists call a “safe space” – an environment where clients feel they can speak freely.

The Opening Conversation

Once seated, the therapist typically begins by acknowledging that first sessions can feel uncomfortable. A statement like, “I know it can feel strange talking to someone you’ve just met about personal matters. That’s completely normal, and we’ll take things at your pace,” can immediately reduce anxiety.

Before diving into the client’s concerns, the therapist explains what will happen during this first session. This might sound something like: “Today, we have about 50 minutes together. We’ll spend some time going over important information about confidentiality and how therapy works, and then I’d like to hear from you about what brings you here. Do you have any questions before we begin?”

Informed Consent and Confidentiality

A critical component of the first session is discussing informed consent. This isn’t just a legal formality – it’s an ethical cornerstone that empowers clients and establishes transparency. Informed consent means ensuring the client fully understands what they’re agreeing to before therapy begins.

The therapist explains several key elements:

The nature of therapy: What therapy involves, the approaches the therapist uses, and what clients can generally expect from the process.

Confidentiality: Everything discussed in therapy remains private and confidential. This principle is essential because clients need to trust that their information is safe in order to speak openly. However, there are important limits to confidentiality that must be clearly explained: