HAMPDEN — Hampden resident Anthony Smith recently released his debut book “Getting Started as a Therapist: 50+ Tips for Clinical Effectiveness” to provide additional support to psychology students and therapists as they work to apply their education to real world experiences.
Officially released Oct. 10, the book focuses on offering concise, detailed chapters that cover a variety of topics that students often struggle with during the transition from higher education, Smith told Reminder Publishing. In each section, chapters work through a certain topic in order to allow students to read the specific chapter and section that they need further support on.
The book is divided into 52 chapters across five sections which highlights information on diagnostic accuracy, how to speak to patients, professional development and therapeutic relationships as well as specific topics such as medication, personality disorders, self-injury and trauma.
A licensed mental health counselor, Smith first explored the idea of writing a book after hearing psychotherapist and author Bill O’Hanlon speak at a conference in 2007, he said. During the talk, O’Hanlon emphasized his excitement to share his views on how to support other therapists, inspiring Smith to do the same.
“I had all of these ideas going on in my mind at the time that I was getting excited about and I wanted to share with a bigger audience. He really made me just clench it when he told the story about how he just started writing and found his way into it,” Smith explained, noting that writing articles for local magazines and newsletters helped him to “[find] a voice for it.”
Years later, the book idea was raised again by his students while working as a graduate student clinical supervisor at Bay Path University. During this time, Smith was also writing for his blog “Up & Running” on Psychology Today, which he initially began during the coronavirus pandemic. He also previously taught at the university, Smith said.
Smith emphasized that his book was “designed to bridge the gap between education and practice,” explaining that it was a guide to supplement the weekly supervision that students receive during this transition. This transition can often be a challenge for beginning therapists and psychology students. Topics were selected based on Smith’s own experience as well as concerns brought forward by students at this stage.
Since 2012, Smith also works as a certified juvenile court clinician, where he assists with diagnostic assessment and offers recommendations on how to support and address children’s mental health, he stated. He noted that this specific court largely focuses on rehabilitation.
For more information about Smith’s book, visit tinyurl.com/AnthonySmithBook.
