Reflecting on Therapy

Michael Jacobs was born in 1941. He was educated at Dulwich College and Exeter College Oxford; and then attended Chichester Theological College before being ordained in 1965. Having served in a parish in Walthamstow, he was interdenominational chaplain at the University of Sussex from 1968–1972, during which time he started practising as a therapist with support from the Student Health Service, then headed by Anthony Ryle. In 1972 he was appointed psychotherapist and counsellor at the University of Leicester Student Health Service, and trained on the clinical psychology psychotherapy course at the Tavistock Clinic in London. After twelve years in the Student Health Service, he moved to the Department of Adult Education, where he was developing a counselling training, which went on to include a psychotherapy training. Alongside this he played a significant role in the development of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and the Universities Psychotherapy and Counselling Association. He is a fellow of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, a Fellow of the National Society for Counselling and Psychotherapy and an honorary fellow of the Bath Centre for Psychotherapy and Counselling. He had his first book published in 1982 and has since written or edited over sixty books for a number of publishers. Following a stroke in 1999 he retired from the University of Leicester, and moved to Swanage where for a number of years he was Visiting Professor at Bournemouth University. Apart from his writing and teaching he conducted a small practice of therapy and supervision. He continued also to lead workshops largely devoted to his interest in the development of thinking and belief, and psychoanalysis and film. Studying for another degree he was awarded first class honours by the Open University, and went on to complete a PhD comparing psychoanalytic and literary criticism of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.Michael has been married three times, separating from his first wife Valerie in 1989, and marrying Moira Walker. They worked together on various series and teaching at Leicester and Bournemouth Universities. Following her early death in 2013, Michael married Pamela Howdle-Smith, with whom he now enjoys a more complete retirement, in which they appreciate music, literature, fine food, and reflecting on their earlier busy lives in teaching and therapy. He has two daughters by his first marriage, two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

‘Jacobs incorporates theory to lend weight to his reflections, demonstrating various therapeutic perspectives and enabling him to ask the question, “Does one size fit all?” This book would be of value to trainee and newly qualified therapists but also to established practitioners, encouraging them to take time for reflection.’

• 1. There's no hurry—how you might use these reflections2. 'How are you?'3. Being outrageous4. Saying 'No'5. Developing practice6. Emptying and opening7. What is expertise?8. Balancing the ship9. And...?10. More than a parrot11. Quick to judge12. A flexible core13. My friend failure14. Outbursts and inbursts15. Did you see...?16. As if...17. Taking the flak18. A sprinkling of CPD19. The way20. A cigar is a cigar is a cigar21. Great expectations22. What do you do?23. Fears and wishes24. Apologies25. The ambivalence of the therapist26. The ambivalence of the therapist—further thoughts27. Let be28. Silence29. Outcomes and goals30. The response31. Niggles32. There's always a flip side33. Enriching practice34. I don't like...35. Pressure36. Questions37. Difference38. Remembering39. What did you miss out?40. His (or her or their) therapist's voice41. Hope42. Gifts43. Leaving therapy44. Alone or lonely?45. Taboo46. Money47. Does one size really fit all?48. Notes49. Co-creation50. The mysterium