Mick Cooper – författare

What does it mean to practice therapy in an existential way? What are the different existential approaches? What are their strengths and limitations?

Focusing on practical, face-to-face work with clients, the book introduces students to six existential therapies, highlighting areas of commonality and difference, and discusses key figures and their contributions, including Yalom, van Deurzen, Spinelli, Frankl and Laing. It outlines the critical perspectives and key debates, and presents implications for practice, reflection and further reading.

Fully updated to reflect current issues, this book now includes:

·         Sections presenting research evidence for each approach

·         An extended case study running through the book, demonstrating how different therapies might approach the same case

·         Chapter overviews, questions for reflection, and additional case studies of actual existential practice.

`I thoroughly recommend this book. I found it challenging, provocative, exciting and full of delights. (It makes such a change to be told that ideal personality characteristics would include a Monty Pythonesque sense of humour and a tolerance of mind-altering drugs!) While reading it I often felt nourished and refreshed' - The Journal of Critical Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy

With the emergence of postmodern thinking, the notion of a unified, singular `self' appears increasingly problematic. Yet for many, postmodernism's proclamation of `the death of the subject' is equally problematic. As a response to this dilemma, there has been a rise of interest in pluralistic models of the `self' in which the person is conceptualized as a multiplicity of subpersonalities, as a plurality of existential possibilities or as a `being' which is inextricably in-dialogue-with-others.

Bringing together many disciplines, and with contributions from foremost writers on self-pluralism, The Plural Self overviews and critiques this emerging field. Drawing together theory, research and practice, the book expands on both the psychological and philosophical theories underlying and associated with self-pluralism, and presents empirical evidence in support of the self-pluralistic perspective, exploring its application within a clinical and therapeutic setting.

`I thoroughly recommend this book. I found it challenging, provocative, exciting and full of delights. (It makes such a change to be told that ideal personality characteristics would include a Monty Pythonesque sense of humour and a tolerance of mind-altering drugs!) While reading it I often felt nourished and refreshed' - The Journal of Critical Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy

With the emergence of postmodern thinking, the notion of a unified, singular `self' appears increasingly problematic. Yet for many, postmodernism's proclamation of `the death of the subject' is equally problematic. As a response to this dilemma, there has been a rise of interest in pluralistic models of the `self' in which the person is conceptualized as a multiplicity of subpersonalities, as a plurality of existential possibilities or as a `being' which is inextricably in-dialogue-with-others.

Bringing together many disciplines, and with contributions from foremost writers on self-pluralism, The Plural Self overviews and critiques this emerging field. Drawing together theory, research and practice, the book expands on both the psychological and philosophical theories underlying and associated with self-pluralism, and presents empirical evidence in support of the self-pluralistic perspective, exploring its application within a clinical and therapeutic setting.

What can child and adolescent counsellors and therapists learn from research? What evidence is there for the effectiveness of different therapies and techniques? How can developmental or neuroscience research inform or inspire therapeutic work with young people?

This book provides the answers to these questions, and more. Leading experts in the field take you through the latest research findings in child and adolescent therapy, discussing how each is relevant to the work of practitioners. Today, both therapists and trainees need to be aware of, and engage with, research findings.  The book presents, accessibly, the current best knowledge and its implications for practice.

What can child and adolescent counsellors and therapists learn from research? What evidence is there for the effectiveness of different therapies and techniques? How can developmental or neuroscience research inform or inspire therapeutic work with young people?

This book provides the answers to these questions, and more. Leading experts in the field take you through the latest research findings in child and adolescent therapy, discussing how each is relevant to the work of practitioners. Today, both therapists and trainees need to be aware of, and engage with, research findings.  The book presents, accessibly, the current best knowledge and its implications for practice.

What does it mean to practice therapy in an existential way? What are the different existential approaches? What are their strengths and limitations?

Focusing on practical, face-to-face work with clients, the book introduces students to six existential therapies, highlighting areas of commonality and difference, and discusses key figures and their contributions, including Yalom, van Deurzen, Spinelli, Frankl and Laing. It outlines the critical perspectives and key debates, and presents implications for practice, reflection and further reading.

Fully updated to reflect current issues, this book now includes:

·         Sections presenting research evidence for each approach

·         An extended case study running through the book, demonstrating how different therapies might approach the same case

·         Chapter overviews, questions for reflection, and additional case studies of actual existential practice.

This book is for trainees and practitioners across the orientations who wish to incorporate an existential approach into their practice. Using a pluralistic perspective that recognises the diversity of clients and their individual needs, it shows trainees how and when existential concepts and practices can be used alongside other approaches.

A wealth of resources and the author’s writing style make this is one of the most accessible and inspiring introductions to existential therapy. Videos of existential counselling in practice and written case studies ensure existential theory is illustrated in practice, while reflective questions and exercises help trainees relate notoriously complex existential themes to their own knowledge and experience. A companion website offers relevant journal articles, video tutorials on existential counselling skills, the results of the author’s survey of the ‘Top 10’ existential films, novels and songs, and much more.

This passionate and insightful book is the ideal guide to help your trainees understand existential therapy and learn how to integrate its ideas and practices into their therapeutic work.

Mick Cooper is Professor of Counselling Psychology at University of Roehampton.

This book is for trainees and practitioners across the orientations who wish to incorporate an existential approach into their practice. Using a pluralistic perspective that recognises the diversity of clients and their individual needs, it shows trainees how and when existential concepts and practices can be used alongside other approaches.

A wealth of resources and the author’s writing style make this is one of the most accessible and inspiring introductions to existential therapy. Videos of existential counselling in practice and written case studies ensure existential theory is illustrated in practice, while reflective questions and exercises help trainees relate notoriously complex existential themes to their own knowledge and experience. A companion website offers relevant journal articles, video tutorials on existential counselling skills, the results of the author’s survey of the ‘Top 10’ existential films, novels and songs, and much more.

This passionate and insightful book is the ideal guide to help your trainees understand existential therapy and learn how to integrate its ideas and practices into their therapeutic work.

Mick Cooper is Professor of Counselling Psychology at University of Roehampton.

What is a therapeutic alliance? How do I create a bond? What might lead to the alliance breaking down? What do I do when the relationship feels stuck?

These are just some of the questions addressed in this important new book for trainee and qualified therapists wanting to understand, engage in and make the most of the therapeutic relationship.

Taking you through each stage of the therapeutic process, from initial boundary setting to effective endings, the book considers a number of different settings and client groups such as working in an online environment and with children and young people. Structured around ‘Frequently Asked Questions’, an accessible and engaging narrative guides you though the skills and considerations for an effective therapeutic relationship, as well as the potential challenges it might face. 

Bringing to the forefront the mutuality of the relationship and the client as a proactive agent, this book will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to develop trusting and productive relationships with your clients.

What is a therapeutic alliance? How do I create a bond? What might lead to the alliance breaking down? What do I do when the relationship feels stuck?

These are just some of the questions addressed in this important new book for trainee and qualified therapists wanting to understand, engage in and make the most of the therapeutic relationship.

Taking you through each stage of the therapeutic process, from initial boundary setting to effective endings, the book considers a number of different settings and client groups such as working in an online environment and with children and young people. Structured around ‘Frequently Asked Questions’, an accessible and engaging narrative guides you though the skills and considerations for an effective therapeutic relationship, as well as the potential challenges it might face. 

Bringing to the forefront the mutuality of the relationship and the client as a proactive agent, this book will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to develop trusting and productive relationships with your clients.

A practical resource that your students can return to again and again to guide and coordinate their pluralistic practice, it provides:

Each chapter offers definitions of key terms, several case studies, exercises and points for reflection, further reading, chapter introductions and summaries of key learning points, and overviews of relevant research.

A practical resource that your students can return to again and again to guide and coordinate their pluralistic practice, it provides:

Each chapter offers definitions of key terms, several case studies, exercises and points for reflection, further reading, chapter introductions and summaries of key learning points, and overviews of relevant research.

How important is the therapeutic relationship? Which therapists are most effective? How should therapy be personalised for individual clients?

Essential Research Findings in Counselling and Psychotherapy answers these questions and many more by introducing contemporary research findings within the therapy field. The book sets out, in a jargon-free way, the evidence for the effectiveness of therapy and the factors associated with positive therapeutic outcomes, providing a comprehensive overview of research findings and their implications for clinical practice.

Included are suggestions for further reading, implications for practice, and questions for discussion, making this an ideal text for use in training and for qualified practitioners wishing to develop and enhance their practice.

How important is the therapeutic relationship? Which therapists are most effective? How should therapy be personalised for individual clients?

Essential Research Findings in Counselling and Psychotherapy answers these questions and many more by introducing contemporary research findings within the therapy field. The book sets out, in a jargon-free way, the evidence for the effectiveness of therapy and the factors associated with positive therapeutic outcomes, providing a comprehensive overview of research findings and their implications for clinical practice.

Included are suggestions for further reading, implications for practice, and questions for discussion, making this an ideal text for use in training and for qualified practitioners wishing to develop and enhance their practice.

Eagerly awaited by many counsellors and psychotherapists, this new edition includes an updated preface, new content on recent research and new developments and debates around relational depth, and new case studies.

This groundbreaking text goes to the very heart of the therapeutic meeting between therapist and client. Focusing on the concept of 'relational depth', the authors describe a form of encounter in which therapist and client experience profound feelings of contact and engagement with each other, and in which the client has an opportunity to explore whatever is experienced as most fundamental to her or his existence. The book has helped thousands of trainees and practitioners understand how to facilitate a relationally-deep encounter, identify the personal ‘blocks’ that may be encountered along the way, and consider new therapeutic concepts – such as 'holistic listening' – that help them to meet their clients at this level.

This classic text remains a source of fresh thinking and stimulating ideas about the therapeutic encounter which is relevant to trainees and practitioners of all orientations.

Eagerly awaited by many counsellors and psychotherapists, this new edition includes an updated preface, new content on recent research and new developments and debates around relational depth, and new case studies.

This groundbreaking text goes to the very heart of the therapeutic meeting between therapist and client. Focusing on the concept of 'relational depth', the authors describe a form of encounter in which therapist and client experience profound feelings of contact and engagement with each other, and in which the client has an opportunity to explore whatever is experienced as most fundamental to her or his existence. The book has helped thousands of trainees and practitioners understand how to facilitate a relationally-deep encounter, identify the personal ‘blocks’ that may be encountered along the way, and consider new therapeutic concepts – such as 'holistic listening' – that help them to meet their clients at this level.

This classic text remains a source of fresh thinking and stimulating ideas about the therapeutic encounter which is relevant to trainees and practitioners of all orientations.

How can therapists integrate theories and practices from across the psychological therapies?  This book presents a framework for understanding distress and change that can unite different orientations, along with sociopolitical perspectives.

Its starting point is that therapy aims to help clients move towards the things they most deeply want.  It shows how the actualisation of these ‘directions’ leads to greater well-being, and how this can be brought about through the development of internal and external synergies. 

Using in-depth cases, the book provides detailed guidance on how this framework can be applied. After reading this book, you’ll feel better equipped to understand, and work with, your clients’ directions—tailoring the therapy to their unique wants.

How can therapists integrate theories and practices from across the psychological therapies?  This book presents a framework for understanding distress and change that can unite different orientations, along with sociopolitical perspectives.

Its starting point is that therapy aims to help clients move towards the things they most deeply want.  It shows how the actualisation of these ‘directions’ leads to greater well-being, and how this can be brought about through the development of internal and external synergies. 

Using in-depth cases, the book provides detailed guidance on how this framework can be applied. After reading this book, you’ll feel better equipped to understand, and work with, your clients’ directions—tailoring the therapy to their unique wants.

Essential Research Findings in Counselling and Psychotherapy answers these questions and many more, providing trainees, practitioners and researchers with a comprehensive introduction to the latest findings in the field. The book sets out in a jargon-free way the evidence for the effectiveness of therapy and the factors associated with positive therapeutic outcomes. It gives suggestions for further reading, definitions of key terms and questions for discussion, making this an ideal text for use in training.

The book is also designed for practitioners who increasingly need to justify their therapeutic work on empirical grounds. Essential Research Findings in Counselling and Psychotherapy gives them the knowledge and confidence to do just that. More than that, it makes research findings accessible and provides information on how to practice counselling and psychotherapy in an effective way.

Essential Research Findings in Counselling and Psychotherapy answers these questions and many more, providing trainees, practitioners and researchers with a comprehensive introduction to the latest findings in the field. The book sets out in a jargon-free way the evidence for the effectiveness of therapy and the factors associated with positive therapeutic outcomes. It gives suggestions for further reading, definitions of key terms and questions for discussion, making this an ideal text for use in training.

The book is also designed for practitioners who increasingly need to justify their therapeutic work on empirical grounds. Essential Research Findings in Counselling and Psychotherapy gives them the knowledge and confidence to do just that. More than that, it makes research findings accessible and provides information on how to practice counselling and psychotherapy in an effective way.

As accessible and engaging as ever, Cooper and McLeod argue that there is no one right way of doing therapy and that different clients need different things at different times. By identifying and demonstrating the application of a range of therapeutic methods, the book outlines a flexible framework for practice within which appropriate methods can be selected depending on the client's individual needs and the therapist's knowledge and experience.

This is a must-read for anybody training or practising in the counselling or helping professions - it should not be missed!