We (Rita and I) recently received a very nice email from Amanda Cotten, a Master’s student at Palo Alto University. She wrote:

Dear Drs. Sommers-Flanagan,

I’m writing to express my gratitude for a textbook. One of the first classes (2019) in my MA Counseling Program used Counseling and Psychotherapy Techniques in Theory and Context, and I found it clearly and intelligently written (many things are only one, the other, or neither). Also, it’s stylistically engaging and approachable. Including the informed consent/introduction letters for the theories was particularly effective.

I even had fun with the study guide.

Certainly I’ve never been able to say THAT before.

I’m just beginning practicum and still don’t have a clear view of my theoretical orientation, but that’s not your fault.

Sincerely,

Amanda Cotten

P.S. You can tell how often I have the book out by the fact that the cat, who likes to chew paper, has gotten to it quite a bit. Attached is a photo of the text and one of the culprit, who seems unrepentant (see photo above).

Later, the student sent us a video of Grumblebunny, caught in the act!

This student also shared some details about “Grumble.”

She has quite the personality.

(Grumble chews thoughtfully) “hmm… Freud begins well but I rather don’t like the aftertaste. As a cat, clearly person-centered therapy is out of the question! Existentialism holds some appeal, for of course I am the only one who gives my own life meaning but… oh well, I suppose I’m not cut out to be a counselor.” (falls asleep)

We’ve never received an endorsement quite like this one, but it might be the best ever.