Pluralistic Therapy Primer

Kate Smith qualified as a pluralistic therapist in 2009 and currently heads the Division of Health Sciences at Abertay University, the original home of pluralistic therapy training. Kate obtained her first and master's degrees at Cambridge University and went on to complete her doctoral research at the University of St Andrews on the links between autobiographical memory, life stories and mental health. She is the author of numerous academic and practitioner publications on pluralism and mental health. She is a chartered psychologist, a founder member and chair of the Pluralistic Practitioner Network and co-chair of the International Conference on Pluralistic Counselling and Psychotherapy. She maintains a small practice and supervises pluralistic practitioners and is on the board of governors of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. Kate is the mother of two sons and lives in Scotland. - Ani de la Prida is a psychotherapist, creative arts counsellor and supervisor. She has 20 years' experience working with groups, adults, children and young people in a range of settings. She currently has a small private practice and is on the Executive Committee of the Private Practice division of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. Ani is a lecturer and teaches on the pluralistic counselling programme at the University of East London, where she did her master's degree research on the use of digital media in therapy. Ani is also the founder and course director of the Association for Person Centred Creative Arts. She is author of What Works in Counselling and Psychotherapy Relationships (BACP, 2020).

'This book celebrates the creativity and resourcefulness of clients and therapists and explains how they can draw on their combined knowledge and life experience to address problems in living. The authors combine and philosophical and research-based sources, along with practical guidelines and a wealth of case examples, in a consistently readable and engaging manner. It is a book that is clear, profound and highly recommended.'-John McLeod, Emeritus Professor of Counselling, Abertay University, and Visiting Professor, Institute for Integrative Psychotherapy and Counselling, Dublin. 'Kate Smith and Ani de la Prida have provided us with an essential tool for those interested in learning about how to apply a pluralistic perspective to their counselling and helping practice. They provide a rich narrative and a range of accessible chapters, offering ways of weaving pluralistic thinking and practice skills into day-to-day counselling work. Their concept of a task taxonomy is a great way to convey central elements of working pluralistically, providing a novel tool for reviewing practice in training, supervision, and research. In a nutshell, their primer prepares practitioners for pluralistic practice. It will be essential reading for the rapidly growing international group of practitioners interested in developing a pluralistic perspective on practice.'- Lynne Gabriel, Professor of Counselling and Mental Health, York St John University.

• Introduction to the series, Preface - Mick Cooper, 1. What is pluralistic therapy?, 2. Key principles, 3. Problems in living, 4. The collaborative relationship, 5. The process of pluralistic therapy, 6. The process of change, 7. Training, professional development and supervision, 8. Common questions and answers, 9. Research on pluralistic therapy, 10. Case study, Resources for learning, Glossary, References