Understanding Assessment in Counselling and Psychotherapy

Sofie Bager-Charleson is a psychotherapist, supervisor and writer. She draws from psychoanalytic, existential and cognitive behavioural theory with a particular interest in postmodern influences on therapy. She holds a PhD from Lund University in Sweden, where she specialised in attachment issues within families and reflective practice amongst teachers. She writes both fiction and non-fiction. She works as the Director of Studies on the MPhil/PhD at Metanoia Institute and Module Leader on the DPsych. She runs workshops and courses in therapeutic practice, reflective and creative writing, in both Sweden and England.Dr Biljana van Rijn, TSTA (Psychotherapy), UKCP Registered Psychotherapist and HCPC Registered Counselling Psychologist. Biljana is a TA psychotherapist and a supervisor involved  in the development of research both at Metanoia Institute in the UK,  and in the wider professional field. She led the development of research as a Chair of the European Association for Transactional Analysis (EATA) Theory Development and Research committee. She is currently a President of the UK Chapter of the Society for Psychotherapy Research. Biljana is also a recipient of the 2019 ITAA research award for her contributions to research in Transactional Analysis.Biljana has published a body of research within transactional analysis, psychotherapy process, and clinical supervision, as well as chapters and books on reflective practice, clinical assessment and formulation.

′The book is laid out well - it is accessible and easy to use, there is a synopsis of each chapter early on in the book and a summary at the end of each chapter, along with suggested further reading. There are activities and reflection points to prompt the reader to think about their role as an assessment counsellor, the hopes and expectations of assessments and the various necessary factors to be mindful of - the therapeutic alliance, the business side of the counselling frame, the client′s motivation and psychological mindedness, achieving the balance between listening and containment and assessing risk. The book is relevant to therapists from various theoretical orientations - psychodynamic, humanistic, CBT and existential - which provides further fuel for thought. It is aimed at counsellors working in organisations and private practice. Towards the end of the book, generously, there is an assessment form, which readers may find useful′ - Rafiya Hanid, Counsellor, University of West London; Head of Student Counselling

• IntroductionThe Role of the Assessor in Private Practice′Diagnosing′ ProblemsTreatment -Illuminating Shaded Areas?Assessment in Organisations: An OverviewConducting an AssessmentAssessment SkillsAppendix 1ReferencesIndex