All professional counselors and therapists can identify a number of turning points in their careers - moments, interactions, or processes - that led to key realizations regarding their practice with clients, work with students, or self-understanding. This book presents a collection of such turning points.

All professional counselors and therapists can identify a number of turning points in their careers moments, interactions, or processes that led to key realizations regarding their practice with clients, work with students, or self-understanding. This book is a collection of such turning points, which the editors term defining moments, contributed by professionals in different stages of their counseling careers. You ll find personal stories, lessons learned, and unique insights in their narratives that will impact your own development as a practitioner, regardless of whether you are a graduate student or a senior professional.

"There is much vicarious learning that will result from reading these courageously described defining moments. I certainly resonated to many of their experiences; I laughed at some descriptions, and shed a poignant tear at others. This powerful resource is a must read by all students, psychotherapists, educators, and researchers involved in counseling and psychotherapy."- Melba J. T. Vasquez, PhD, ABPP, Psychologist, Independent Practice, Austin, Texas; 2010 President Elect, American Psychological Association "Voila!! This rich compendium of defining moments straight from the inner lives of counseling professionals provides a treasure-trove of guideposts and guidance for students and seasoned professionals alike in their search for meaning in their work. Bravo!" - Puncky P. Heppner, PhD, Professor, Department of Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology, University of Missouri, Columbia "This book is truly a gift to counseling practitioners. It offers a fascinating journey into self-discovery and universal truths through personal and heartfelt narratives from some of the leading counselors and therapists in our field. Once I began reading these firsthand accounts, I could not put it down and I could not forget the vivid lessons they taught."- Jeffrey P. Prince, PhD, Director of Counseling and Psychological Services, University of California, Berkeley "Voices from the Field is a wonderful collection of compelling stories from the journey of professional development. The narratives in this work are a privilege and honor to read. This is an outstanding resource for counseling students, counselor educators, counseling psychologists and mental health professionals." - Patrick H. Munley, PhD, ABPP, Professor and Chair, Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology, Western Michigan University "The authors have given us a rare glimpse behind the scenes of the developing therapist. I found myself misty eyed as I read through so many of the narratives, and I am thankful to the authors and editors for seeing the importance of re-telling these defining moments of being and becoming a therapist." - Tom Krieshok, PhD, Professor of Counseling Psychology, University of Kansas "This really is a "one size fits all" book. As I read this book, I was thinking of all the people who would benefit from having it on their shelf, and the book makes it very clear that students, supervisors, trainers together with practitioners would be the benefiters...I would urge you to pick up a copy of this book and instantly you will feel connected to many others out there all over the world who talk so candidly about their defining moments. I found that, as I read this book, I was aware of being part of this bigger outside world and that good work was taking place in each corner of the world for both clients and practitioners." Ursula Somerville, Inside Out "A compelling collection of narratives that portray moments in the lives of counselors and therapists that are expressed as defining moments...This collection of narratives provides insight into the world of the counselor and therapist over time, from initial choice of this career to seasoned clinicians... The text would be an excellent addition to a nursing curriculum to demonstrate the expanse of learning that a counselor/therapist or anyone in a health-care related field must navigate." - Lora Humphrey Beebe, Ph.D., in Issues in Mental Health Nursing