How psychotherapists handle difficult clients: Lessons for librarians

Although librarians occasionally encounter difficult patrons in the course of their work, psychologists work with difficult clients much more frequently. This raises an interesting question-how is it that psychologists are able to manage these trying individuals, and in some instances even help them improve? This study attempts to answer that question by investigating how psychotherapists define, cope with, and treat difficult patients. It explains the psychology of difficult clients, techniques psychologists useinworking with them, and how these might be utilized by librarians. The importance of seeing difficult clients as a means of personal growth is also emphasized.