Assertiveness:
A Practical Approach
By Stephanie Holland & Clare Ward
This highly successful title offers an opportunity for professionals from all 
backgrounds to develop an understanding of assertiveness.
This has been shown to be therapeutically advantageous for all kinds of client groups and can be useful in many contexts. It is a highly practical working manual from which you can apply the principles of assertiveness both to yourself and to your clients.
The authors' experience of using assertiveness as a form of therapy has been mainly with the following groups: people with learning difficulties; people who feel depressed and anxious; people who stammer; and people with problem eating patterns. This list reflects their own clinical specialities but this resource can be used with any groups or individuals.
This resource makes groupwork easy with session plans and handouts that are clearly laid out. Each chapter looks at a specific aspect of assertion (which can be worked on in 10 training sessions) and encourages an experiential learning approach, for example, through brainstorming, group exercises and role-play.
Accompanying each chapter is a session plan which includes worksheets (with no photocopying restrictions), exercises and a list of equipment required. Each plan is adaptable for use with individuals or groups and can be adjusted according to the time available.
Sample session plan:Introduction to Assertiveness (PDF)
Sample handout:Handout A ~ Introduction to Assertiveness (PDF)
Whether used on its own or as part of a treatment programme, assertiveness training is valuable for therapist and client alike.
Contents
Behaviour types; Being assertive; Our right to be assertive; Owning our feelings; Refusing and requesting; Self respect; Criticism & conflict; Sexuality; The assertive option; Clinical application.
About the Authors
Stephanie Holland is a speech and language therapist who specialised in working in the adult field.
She left the NHS after twelve years and set up her own training and consultancy business Rapport – which she now runs from her base in Central France. She loves to help people manifest the kind of life that they really want.
Clare Ward is an Occupational Therapist who, after many years working in the mental health field and running a freelance training business, moved to work in Community Paediatrics. She now runs a specialist assessment clinic for children with coordination difficulties and also provides OT to a large number of children with varying limitations and needs.
Clare no longer offers training to others, but continues to believe in the value of self-esteem and assertion, both within her work and busy family life.
