The Essential Counselor teaches students to use a developmental model of assessment as a way to choose strategies for treating a broad spectrum of clients and provides the skills needed to work with them. In addition, the text provides a realistic view of the day-to-day aspects of counseling, including working with HMOs and insurance limitations. New counselors will benefit from a manageable amount of detail that incorporates all the pertinent topics, and a solid foundation in the relationship-building skills used in counseling sessions. Main topics--such as case management, supervision, brief counseling, and group and couples/family counseling--are discussed in a conversational style supported by the author's own experience.