Book excerpt: Barbara Okun and Ricki Kantrowitz's practical introduction to counseling has helped thousands of readers become effective and empathic helpers. Logical, easy-to-understand, and applicable, EFFECTIVE HELPING: INTERVIEWING AND COUNSELING TECHNIQUES, Eighth Edition, continues to use a unique framework to help readers enhance their self-awareness and their understanding of contemporary forces. The book is infused with many case examples, dialogues, tables, and experiential exercises. The authors help readers develop basic helping skills based on empathic responsive listening, introduce them to theoretical principles, and enable them to effectively integrate theory and practice in a way that is appropriate to their level of training. The learning-by-practice format promotes the active integration of the skills that will prepare students for the realities of what it's like to be a helper. Important Notice: Media content referenced within the product description or the product text may not be available in the ebook version.