Therapists face many challenges—suicidal clients, struggling parents, substance abusers, victimized children, borderline personalities, and defiant adolescents. Their work demands managing their own humanity: staying focused when tired, attentive amid strain, and confident despite doubts.

This book offers a refined, precise, and useful orientation to the humanity of therapists. In it, Dr. Martin has drawn from his long experience as a therapist, teacher for emerging therapists, clinical supervisor, researcher, and, no doubt, his humanity. He engages readers with the issues of his and their humanity. As he does this, he captures both a scholarly analysis of the humanity of therapists and the existential immediacy of the humanity of therapists.

Therapists who avail themselves of this book will very likely gain several outcomes for themselves. They will feel the affirmation and confirmation of their humanity. They will gain personal respect for their typically well-known experience of their grounded confidence and their nagging doubts. They will feel the validation of many of the stressful realities with which they cope. They will re-imagine and experience the enjoyment of seeing the value of their humanity translated into effective clinical work. And, they will gain new appreciation for their personal humanity, the humanity of their colleagues, and the humanity of their clients.