The road to becoming a therapist was not easy for Steven Melman as we see in Guidance For New Clinicians In A Chaotic World. While growing up, psychologists said he might not even graduate high school. With determination and hard work, he proved them wrong. After getting his master's and his first job, he realized he did not need a PhD to do private practice. Steven also believes in the use of cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing, which is a collaborative, goal-oriented style of communication with particular attention to the language of change. Steven discusses other current issues in society, such as education and history, gun violence, especially school shootings, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused many disruptions. How does psychology relate to all these issues?

Guidance For New Clinicians In A Chaotic World by Steven Melman is a well-written, thought-provoking work that gets one thinking about various things, such as the importance of a therapist being able to relate to their client without making them feel inferior. It also got me thinking about the importance of embracing one’s personality to boost one’s career. Steven’s journey will motivate many who are facing similar challenges, and readers will appreciate the systematic, practical advice offered by this amazing author. The numerous references provided also indicate that the book is well-researched. It can be used as a stepping stone for further reading, not just for clinicians but people of all backgrounds. This was an excellent book, and I look forward to reading something else by Steven Melman.

Like many other medical fields, clinical psychology has evolved significantly over the past years. From the methods of practice to the demands of the patients and even the technology deployed in the field, there have been a lot of changes. All this may make it a daunting task for rookie clinicians to fit into or successfully pursue a career in the field. Steven Melman has had over forty years of experience as a clinician in the United States. In his book Guidance For New Clinicians in a Chaotic World: How to Practice Your Craft While Preserving Your Traditional Values, he offers insights into navigating and dealing with the current generation's demands while building and pursuing a successful career in Clinical Psychology.

Rookie clinicians and fans of self-help books will find Steven Melman's Guidance For New Clinicians in a Chaotic World an enthralling read. Melman splits the discourse into ten chapters, open-mindedly addressing topics ranging from counseling and education of children and adolescents, violence in the US and sensible solutions, and cultural and gender diversity to counseling techniques. The anecdotes, research data, historical facts, and illustrations were enlightening and thought-provoking. I found Melman's counseling approaches and solutions to dealing with the emerging issues in the profession of clinical psychology practical. I especially found his take on gender diversity and economic ideologies interesting. Melman's personal story from junior school to graduate school is inspiring. It proves you can achieve anything with dedication, determination, discipline, resilience, and a positive outlook.

Guidance for New Clinicians in a Chaotic World by Steven Melman provides clear and straightforward help to the newly licensed therapist to cope with the problematic aspects of the job without losing their focus on fundamentals. The author shares his story of growth from a boy with a learning disability to a mental health provider with more than forty years of practice. The book is divided into chapters all offering advice on practical scenarios such as building good relationships with patients, working with affective disorders, and the challenges of owning and operating a private practice. He also covers relevant topics within the discussed field, including cultural diversity and the influence of modern culture on the world of psychology. The primary purpose of the book is to provide new clinicians with the necessary confidence and competence that they might require in their professional practice while at the same time informing their practice with the right ethics.

Steven Melman’s writing style is simple, which allows anyone to understand the information based on scientific material and examples. The book is structured logically, which gives readers clear direction and maintains a steady pace. The book's development is strong because the author was motivated to instruct aspiring clinicians on his field and the lessons he had learned over the years. The story of the author as a caring and committed healthcare professional is brought out vividly and motivates the reader. I highly recommend Guidance for New Clinicians in a Chaotic World to any future mental health worker who aspires to make a difference in the lives of people. An amazing and honest book!