Gaie Houston – författare

`Anybody with the slightest interest in brief therapy should read this book. Now that the initial controversy over brief therapy has begun to subside it is great to see how brief therapy works in practice. Gaie Houston's book is part of a series published by SAGE which sets out to do this - and hers is particularly illuminating and accessible.

As she points out Gestalt is better equipped than many mainstream therapies to be applied to situations with extreme time constraints because it is both flexible and it acknowledges the part that can be played by other therapies. But what propels Houston's book out of the hum drum - or indeed the defensive (or offensive) diatribes about short therapy which have appeared over the past few years - is her vivid accounts of real-life sessions, both one to one and group, which punctuate the text' - Amazon Review

Brief Gestalt Therapy demonstrates how the Gestalt approach can be used effectively in brief interventions with clients. Gestalt's distinctively integrative nature and emphasis on a highly co-operative working alliance, make it particularly suited to brief work.

The book sets out the basic theory and principles of Gestalt and looks at each phase of the therapeutic process from initial assessment through the beginning and middle stages to the ending of the work. It presents clear, practical strategies for therapists to follow and in particular examines:

} aspects of Gestalt which are especially relevant to brief work

-} the elements of successful therapy

-} ways of improving skills.

Brief Gestalt Therapy includes vignettes and detailed case studies which bring the theory alive. It will contribute much to both existing literature on Gestalt therapy and also brief therapy, and will be invaluable to trainee and practising Gestalt therapists.

`Anybody with the slightest interest in brief therapy should read this book. Now that the initial controversy over brief therapy has begun to subside it is great to see how brief therapy works in practice. Gaie Houston's book is part of a series published by SAGE which sets out to do this - and hers is particularly illuminating and accessible.

As she points out Gestalt is better equipped than many mainstream therapies to be applied to situations with extreme time constraints because it is both flexible and it acknowledges the part that can be played by other therapies. But what propels Houston's book out of the hum drum - or indeed the defensive (or offensive) diatribes about short therapy which have appeared over the past few years - is her vivid accounts of real-life sessions, both one to one and group, which punctuate the text' - Amazon Review

Brief Gestalt Therapy demonstrates how the Gestalt approach can be used effectively in brief interventions with clients. Gestalt's distinctively integrative nature and emphasis on a highly co-operative working alliance, make it particularly suited to brief work.

The book sets out the basic theory and principles of Gestalt and looks at each phase of the therapeutic process from initial assessment through the beginning and middle stages to the ending of the work. It presents clear, practical strategies for therapists to follow and in particular examines:

} aspects of Gestalt which are especially relevant to brief work

-} the elements of successful therapy

-} ways of improving skills.

Brief Gestalt Therapy includes vignettes and detailed case studies which bring the theory alive. It will contribute much to both existing literature on Gestalt therapy and also brief therapy, and will be invaluable to trainee and practising Gestalt therapists.

`The book is comprehensive, and extensively researched and referenced. ….[The] last chapter contains some excellent training resources for trainers of counsellors/psychotherapists. I would therefore endorse it as a useful textbook, especially as there is an excellent in-depth example of an assessment form, and guidance on how this can be used for trainees. These were useful revision points to me as an experienced counsellor' - The Independent Practitioner

`The book would be useful to practitioners who want to start thinking 'outside the box' of a particular orientation. It is also aimed at students and trainers - the last 40 pages in particular are full of practical training exercises. Overall, I would recommend it as a well-reasoned argument for therapy to be rooted in an integrative base' - Therapy Today

`Throughout the book it is assumed that we can learn from each other and that we need to, whatever orientation we were trained in, in the service of the client. I find this pragmatic approach open and refreshing in a period when some of us have polarised around the 'what works best' debate. Both authors are experienced practitioners and trainers and their commitment to integrative counselling and psychotherapy shines through' - AUCC Journal

Integration rather than a single theory has become accepted and widely recommended as a way forward in psychotherapy and counselling. Integrative Therapy, Second Edition, a timely and innovative guide for practitioners, is based on the view that training and practice methods should be evaluated for their usefulness to the client instead of their adherence to a particular model.

Drawing from research on therapy process and outcome, and on human development respectively, the authors highlight striking similarities between the change processes involved in these two areas of study. The findings provide a basis for an adaptable framework for integrative practice.

The authors pinpoint what is common as well as what is different in various approaches, using case illustrations to make comparisons throughout between the three major models: psychodynamic, humanistic-existential and cognitive-behavioural. What emerges is the central importance of the therapeutic relationship in the process of change - 'how to be with clients' as opposed to 'what to do'.

Fully revised and updated, this Second Edition includes new material on neuroscience and practitioner-oriented research methodology showing how the processes of doing research and doing therapy have many things in common.

The book aims to cultivate a spirit of willingness amongst therapists trained in one model to learn from colleagues trained in others. It also features exercises to support its use on courses and will thus be invaluable to trainees of counselling, psychotherapy and counselling psychology.

Maja O'Brien is a chartered counselling psychologist and psychotherapist, supervisor and trainer based in Oxford and a Principal Lecturer on the Doctorate in Psychotherapy by Professional Studies run jointly by the Metanoia Institute and Middlesex University. Gaie Houston is a writer, UKCP-registered psychotherapist and senior lecturer at The Gestalt Centre, London.

`The book is comprehensive, and extensively researched and referenced. ….[The] last chapter contains some excellent training resources for trainers of counsellors/psychotherapists. I would therefore endorse it as a useful textbook, especially as there is an excellent in-depth example of an assessment form, and guidance on how this can be used for trainees. These were useful revision points to me as an experienced counsellor' - The Independent Practitioner

`The book would be useful to practitioners who want to start thinking 'outside the box' of a particular orientation. It is also aimed at students and trainers - the last 40 pages in particular are full of practical training exercises. Overall, I would recommend it as a well-reasoned argument for therapy to be rooted in an integrative base' - Therapy Today

`Throughout the book it is assumed that we can learn from each other and that we need to, whatever orientation we were trained in, in the service of the client. I find this pragmatic approach open and refreshing in a period when some of us have polarised around the 'what works best' debate. Both authors are experienced practitioners and trainers and their commitment to integrative counselling and psychotherapy shines through' - AUCC Journal

Integration rather than a single theory has become accepted and widely recommended as a way forward in psychotherapy and counselling. Integrative Therapy, Second Edition, a timely and innovative guide for practitioners, is based on the view that training and practice methods should be evaluated for their usefulness to the client instead of their adherence to a particular model.

Drawing from research on therapy process and outcome, and on human development respectively, the authors highlight striking similarities between the change processes involved in these two areas of study. The findings provide a basis for an adaptable framework for integrative practice.

The authors pinpoint what is common as well as what is different in various approaches, using case illustrations to make comparisons throughout between the three major models: psychodynamic, humanistic-existential and cognitive-behavioural. What emerges is the central importance of the therapeutic relationship in the process of change - 'how to be with clients' as opposed to 'what to do'.

Fully revised and updated, this Second Edition includes new material on neuroscience and practitioner-oriented research methodology showing how the processes of doing research and doing therapy have many things in common.

The book aims to cultivate a spirit of willingness amongst therapists trained in one model to learn from colleagues trained in others. It also features exercises to support its use on courses and will thus be invaluable to trainees of counselling, psychotherapy and counselling psychology.

Maja O'Brien is a chartered counselling psychologist and psychotherapist, supervisor and trainer based in Oxford and a Principal Lecturer on the Doctorate in Psychotherapy by Professional Studies run jointly by the Metanoia Institute and Middlesex University. Gaie Houston is a writer, UKCP-registered psychotherapist and senior lecturer at The Gestalt Centre, London.

New to the bestselling Counselling in a Nutshell Series, this pocket-sized book is the beginners guide to the essentials of Gestalt Therapy, from its principles to practice. Assuming no previous knowledge of the subject, the book introduces:

- the origins of the approach

- the key theory and concepts

- the skills and techniques important to practice.

Written in an accessible, jargon-free style, this book includes vivid case examples, end of chapter exercises and a glossary of terms to help aid understanding.

Gaie Houston is a writer, UKCP-registered psychotherapist and senior lecturer at The Gestalt Centre, London.