Marlis Portner, worked in theatre and as an editor and translator, before becoming a psychotherapist. After the 'family years' she studied psychology and has worked for twenty years as a psychotherapist in her own practice. She has always had in her client caseload some people with special needs. She also works as a consultant and supervisor for several social services and is often invited by communities and homes to do workshops for the staff to introduce the concept of 'Trust and Understanding'. She has published a number of books, originally in German, that have been translated into several languages, and numerous articles for professional journals. She was married for more than twenty years, has a daughter and a son, both adult, and two grandsons.

We have chosen this accessible and insightful book to be our course text, and it has proved to be a consistently valuable and challenging tool for students. It has enabled a dialogue between social care workers, managers, and the people who benefit from services; facilitating clear communication and, as the book suggests, 'trust and understanding'. The message within it is relevant to any individual or organisation offering help. Terry Daly, University lecturer, Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh Marlis Portner offers a practical vision of how to develop trust and understanding: qualities essential for a climate of empowerment and an increase in self-worth.I am pleased to recommend this book to all of you who endeavour to increase your trust and understanding in your own relationships with others. Mandy Neville, Chief Executive, Circles Network, UK

• 1 Introduction The use of language in this book 2 Creating living spaces What does it mean to work in a person-centred way? Why do we need a concept? 3 Fundamentals of person-centred work THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS A humanistic 'concept of man' The three elements of the person-centred attitude The theory of self-concept PRACTICAL FOUNDATIONS The balance between structure and freedom Clarity Experience as an essential factor Change lies in personal resources, not deficiencies Small steps The road is as important as the destination Trusting the potential for growth Personal responsibility 4 Guidelines for everyday work Listening Taking the other person seriously Comparing with 'normality' Staying with the obvious Don't let your guide be what you already know Facilitating and responding to a person's experiencing Encouragement Not constantly staring at the 'symptom' Fostering a person's own way Offering clear and manageable choices Offering support to act independently Giving clear information Looking for the concrete Finding the other person's language Recognising one's own part Reflecting the situation 5 Specific aspects of care for people with special needs Fostering a person's contact with her own experience Stimulating a person's own impulses The attitude towards being disabled Sexuality and relationships The difficult demands of living in a group 6 Consequences for carers The relationship to the clients Demands ...

Marlis Portner, worked in theatre and as an editor and translator, before becoming a psychotherapist. After the 'family years' she studied psychology and has worked for twenty years as a psychotherapist in her own practice. She has always had in her client caseload some people with special needs. She also works as a consultant and supervisor for several social services and is often invited by communities and homes to do workshops for the staff to introduce the concept of 'Trust and Understanding'. She has published a number of books, originally in German, that have been translated into several languages, and numerous articles for professional journals. She was married for more than twenty years, has a daughter and a son, both adult, and two grandsons.

We have chosen this accessible and insightful book to be our course text, and it has proved to be a consistently valuable and challenging tool for students. It has enabled a dialogue between social care workers, managers, and the people who benefit from services; facilitating clear communication and, as the book suggests, 'trust and understanding'. The message within it is relevant to any individual or organisation offering help. Terry Daly, University lecturer, Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh Marlis Portner offers a practical vision of how to develop trust and understanding: qualities essential for a climate of empowerment and an increase in self-worth.I am pleased to recommend this book to all of you who endeavour to increase your trust and understanding in your own relationships with others. Mandy Neville, Chief Executive, Circles Network, UK

• 1 Introduction The use of language in this book 2 Creating living spaces What does it mean to work in a person-centred way? Why do we need a concept? 3 Fundamentals of person-centred work THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS A humanistic 'concept of man' The three elements of the person-centred attitude The theory of self-concept PRACTICAL FOUNDATIONS The balance between structure and freedom Clarity Experience as an essential factor Change lies in personal resources, not deficiencies Small steps The road is as important as the destination Trusting the potential for growth Personal responsibility 4 Guidelines for everyday work Listening Taking the other person seriously Comparing with 'normality' Staying with the obvious Don't let your guide be what you already know Facilitating and responding to a person's experiencing Encouragement Not constantly staring at the 'symptom' Fostering a person's own way Offering clear and manageable choices Offering support to act independently Giving clear information Looking for the concrete Finding the other person's language Recognising one's own part Reflecting the situation 5 Specific aspects of care for people with special needs Fostering a person's contact with her own experience Stimulating a person's own impulses The attitude towards being disabled Sexuality and relationships The difficult demands of living in a group 6 Consequences for carers The relationship to the clients Demands ...