Introduction to Counseling
An Art and Science Perspective
(Seventh Edition)
©2026, 648 pages
Paperback list price: $109.95
Cognella Direct Ebook: $92.95
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Introduction to Counseling: An Art and Science Perspective presents readers with an in-depth but student-friendly look into the counseling profession. It uniquely considers counseling and psychotherapy as both art and science in order to highlight the balance between the subjective and objective dimensions of the field. Author Michael Scott Nystul writes from the perspective that counseling concepts can be useful to address challenges of daily living.
The book is divided into three parts (An Overview of Counseling and the Counseling Process; Multicultural Counseling and Counseling Theories; and Special Approaches and Settings). The rich pedagogy includes “A Counseling Frame of Reference for Daily Life,” a handbook that can be downloaded for free by students to apply information from the text to opportunities and challenges of everyday life.
Key updates to this edition include details on:
• How Covid-19 contributed to a mental health crisis requiring telebehavioral health strategies.
• Global warming, physical and mental health, and the counseling profession.
• The impact of artificial intelligence on counseling in terms of potential benefits and challenges.
• Trauma-informed counseling and how trauma such as abuse, loss, or catastrophic events can adversely impact mental health and wellness.
• The use of psychedelics to treat mental disorder such as anxiety and depression.
• Neurobiological markers for depression and other mental health disorders.
• Emotion regulation for daily life and mental health issues including mental disorders.
• The latest standards from key associations such as AMHCA (including the CACREP standards), ACA, and APA as well as the DSM-5-TR
Designed for both majors and nonmajors, this comprehensive resource is well-suited for undergraduate and graduate courses like Introduction to Counseling and Professional Issues in Counseling.
Explore the Table of Contents to find out more about the book.
The book is divided into three parts (An Overview of Counseling and the Counseling Process; Multicultural Counseling and Counseling Theories; and Special Approaches and Settings). The rich pedagogy includes “A Counseling Frame of Reference for Daily Life,” a handbook that can be downloaded for free by students to apply information from the text to opportunities and challenges of everyday life.
Key updates to this edition include details on:
• How Covid-19 contributed to a mental health crisis requiring telebehavioral health strategies.
• Global warming, physical and mental health, and the counseling profession.
• The impact of artificial intelligence on counseling in terms of potential benefits and challenges.
• Trauma-informed counseling and how trauma such as abuse, loss, or catastrophic events can adversely impact mental health and wellness.
• The use of psychedelics to treat mental disorder such as anxiety and depression.
• Neurobiological markers for depression and other mental health disorders.
• Emotion regulation for daily life and mental health issues including mental disorders.
• The latest standards from key associations such as AMHCA (including the CACREP standards), ACA, and APA as well as the DSM-5-TR
Designed for both majors and nonmajors, this comprehensive resource is well-suited for undergraduate and graduate courses like Introduction to Counseling and Professional Issues in Counseling.
Explore the Table of Contents to find out more about the book.
Michael Nystul received his Ph.D. in counseling from Oregon State University. He holds the position of professor emeritus in the Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology at New Mexico State University. Professor Nystul has had over 44 years of clinical experience in the USA, Australia, and the Navajo Indian reservation as a licensed clinical mental health counselor, school counselor, and psychologist in a variety of settings such as K-12 schools, university counseling centers, community mental health centers, hospitals, and private practice. He has authored or co-authored over 100 publications within the field of counseling and other helping professions, including journal articles, book chapters, and books.
Other Cognella titles by Michael Nystul:Formats and Bulk Order Pricing for Confirmed Adoptions
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Cognella Active Learning provides dynamic online content within a custom digital learning environment. Does not include the ebook. Contact us for course adoptions; not available for individual purchase. |
Adopting instructors will receive PowerPoints, test banks, an instructor's manual, and more.
Praise for Previous Editions:
"This textbook presents the 'why' and the 'how' of counseling as it transports the student from wanting to become to counselor to the first steps in becoming a counselor."
Candy H. Ratliff, Assistant Professor of Counseling, Texas Southern University
"This text provides a well-rounded and welcoming introduction to the counseling profession inclusive of up-to-date and relevant topics of interest to students entering this field."
Martha Mason, Ed.D., LCPC, NCC, Counselor Educator and Director of the Education and Counseling Center, DePaul University
"This text helps assess and understand behavior change and actions and gives tools for modifying life when, where, and if needed."
Dr. Patricia L. McDonald, Professor of Counselor Educator, Siena Heights University
"A comprehensive overview of the counseling profession which will help developing counselors to find their place in the field."
Paul Cooper, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology, Northeastern State University
"Introduction to Counseling: An Art and Science Perspective, Sixth Editionby Michael Scott Nystul covers a great deal of topics that are important for counseling students to learn as they start the process of building a positive counselor-focused foundation for working with individuals, couples, families, and groups."
Ryan Bowers, Assistant Profess or Psychology and Counseling, Immaculata University
"This is a very good first exposure for students who have little knowledge of the counseling field (and for those who think they do know something about it)."
Dennis Trickett, Chair of Psychology, University of the Cumberlands
"Introduction to Counseling provides a practical and thoughtful guide for learners exploring the dynamic field of counseling."
Darren H. Iwamoto, Chaminnade University of Honolulu
"The text is very easy to read and the author’s personal notes at helpful at illustrating key points."
Julie M. Koch, Oklahoma State University
"This textbook offers plenty of material across a wide span of topics from scholarly material to applied examples. It gives students a realistic example of counseling in the 'real world."
Maria Cuddy, Immaculata University
"I appreciate the organizational approach to the information. I use the personal exploration questions as reading assignments, due each Friday. Students really appreciate chapter 8 - Creative Arts Therapies!"
Dr. Karen Linstrum, East Texas Baptist University
"This textbook presents the 'why' and the 'how' of counseling as it transports the student from wanting to become to counselor to the first steps in becoming a counselor."
Candy H. Ratliff, Assistant Professor of Counseling, Texas Southern University
"This text provides a well-rounded and welcoming introduction to the counseling profession inclusive of up-to-date and relevant topics of interest to students entering this field."
Martha Mason, Ed.D., LCPC, NCC, Counselor Educator and Director of the Education and Counseling Center, DePaul University
"This text helps assess and understand behavior change and actions and gives tools for modifying life when, where, and if needed."
Dr. Patricia L. McDonald, Professor of Counselor Educator, Siena Heights University
"A comprehensive overview of the counseling profession which will help developing counselors to find their place in the field."
Paul Cooper, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology, Northeastern State University
"Introduction to Counseling: An Art and Science Perspective, Sixth Editionby Michael Scott Nystul covers a great deal of topics that are important for counseling students to learn as they start the process of building a positive counselor-focused foundation for working with individuals, couples, families, and groups."
Ryan Bowers, Assistant Profess or Psychology and Counseling, Immaculata University
"This is a very good first exposure for students who have little knowledge of the counseling field (and for those who think they do know something about it)."
Dennis Trickett, Chair of Psychology, University of the Cumberlands
"Introduction to Counseling provides a practical and thoughtful guide for learners exploring the dynamic field of counseling."
Darren H. Iwamoto, Chaminnade University of Honolulu
"The text is very easy to read and the author’s personal notes at helpful at illustrating key points."
Julie M. Koch, Oklahoma State University
"This textbook offers plenty of material across a wide span of topics from scholarly material to applied examples. It gives students a realistic example of counseling in the 'real world."
Maria Cuddy, Immaculata University
"I appreciate the organizational approach to the information. I use the personal exploration questions as reading assignments, due each Friday. Students really appreciate chapter 8 - Creative Arts Therapies!"
Dr. Karen Linstrum, East Texas Baptist University
