Professional Skills for Counsellors Series – serie

`Geraldine Shipton and Eileen Smith's contribution goes a long way towards filling a gap in the literature. As such it is invaluable for counsellors, trainers and supervisors working in an area of counselling which is now more usually to be found in the private sector but which, the authors argue on grounds of humanity and economics, should be available for all who need it... a valuable source for all those working with clients long term' - Counselling, The Journal of the British Association for Counselling

`The strength of this book comes from the authors' obvious extensive experience of undertaking long-term counselling. It is crammed with insights, observations and anecdotes that could only have come from people who really do know the tribulations and occasional joys of this type of work' - Clinical Psychology Forum

`The book pivots on six imaginary and convincing case studies, describing counselling within a variety of voluntary and statutory agencies, a range of client backgrounds, presenting problems, counsellor ability and outcome. These case presentations successfully lift the book out of the ordinary run of earnest contemplation of the counselling scene. The brain stays working; challenged and intrigued.... Rather like the best traditions in counselling, the book represents an astute balancing act. The structure, style and attitude of the book give the impression of an easy read but has has broad and deep ambitions. The co-authors achieve a digestible combination of new and old; intellect and feelings, skills and theory; good humour and hard work. They offer food for thought and development to readers from differing backgrounds and needs' - Sally Day, Psychodynamic Counselling

Counselling can be a long-term process, whether by initial design or because of the emergence of new concerns within work originally planned as short-term or focused. Occasionally, counselling is long-term by default, when the counsellor or client cannot face ending or when the counsellor cannot enviSAGE other ways of working with a client. This book examines the complex and varied issues which can arise, with an emphasis throughout on skilled, professional and ethical practice.

Encouraging trainees and practitioners to think about the day-to-day realities and issues of long-term work, the book considers working parameters and issues of definition, setting and orientation. It also focuses on assessing and managing the work, and discusses the practical and emotional concerns which will require thought as the relationship between the counsellor and client is established, develops, or falters and ends. Detailed case histories illustrate who might benefit from long-term counselling and give some sense of the nature of the relationships which may arise in long-term work.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the tasks and the processes of learning and writing required on counselling training courses and in the practice of counselling. The authors cover the entire period of training, from choosing a course to the early stages of professional practice.

The first part of the book discusses learning skills, methods and approaches, looking at, for example, the context for learning, motivation and experiential learning. Part Two focuses on course requirements, the form of written assignments - how to complete them and the difficulties that can be encountered - as well as the basics of writing, including language, form and style. The final part looks at the involvement of practising counsellors in continued learning and the kinds of writing that they may develop throughout their careers.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the tasks and the processes of learning and writing required on counselling training courses and in the practice of counselling. The authors cover the entire period of training, from choosing a course to the early stages of professional practice.

The first part of the book discusses learning skills, methods and approaches, looking at, for example, the context for learning, motivation and experiential learning. Part Two focuses on course requirements, the form of written assignments - how to complete them and the difficulties that can be encountered - as well as the basics of writing, including language, form and style. The final part looks at the involvement of practising counsellors in continued learning and the kinds of writing that they may develop throughout their careers.

The author provides straightforward advice and guidelines about how a business can be set up and thereafter maintained successfully. Tax, VAT and accounting are explained clearly, and examples of budgets illustrate how to make the business perform. Business research, marketing and promotion, finding and using suitable premises, working from home, forming partnerships, dealing with insurance, legal and safety issues and other essential considerations are all covered in detail. The book also encourages a comprehensive assessment of the practitioner's emotional needs and physical health as well as financial security.

The author provides straightforward advice and guidelines about how a business can be set up and thereafter maintained successfully. Tax, VAT and accounting are explained clearly, and examples of budgets illustrate how to make the business perform. Business research, marketing and promotion, finding and using suitable premises, working from home, forming partnerships, dealing with insurance, legal and safety issues and other essential considerations are all covered in detail. The book also encourages a comprehensive assessment of the practitioner's emotional needs and physical health as well as financial security.

It is now widely accepted that the therapeutic relationship - referred to here as the counselling relationship - may be the most significant element in effective practice. Understanding the Counselling Relationship presents contrasting views of the relationship between the counsellor or therapist and the client, as held by practitioners from diverse theoretical orientations.

Each chapter clarifies and considers the elements of the counselling relationship which have most bearing on therapeutic practice. The strengths of each position are highlighted in terms of understanding, theory and skills. The relevance of certain psychological, sociological and research-based issues for practitioners from a variety of theoretical backgrounds are also considered.

It is now widely accepted that the therapeutic relationship - referred to here as the counselling relationship - may be the most significant element in effective practice. Understanding the Counselling Relationship presents contrasting views of the relationship between the counsellor or therapist and the client, as held by practitioners from diverse theoretical orientations.

Each chapter clarifies and considers the elements of the counselling relationship which have most bearing on therapeutic practice. The strengths of each position are highlighted in terms of understanding, theory and skills. The relevance of certain psychological, sociological and research-based issues for practitioners from a variety of theoretical backgrounds are also considered.

`Beautifully written and well researched and full of useful structured exercise for therapists and clients, this is a combination of psychology textbook and counselling handbook - theoretical a, yet practical' - Healthcare Counselling and Psychotherapy Journal

Counselling and the Life Course introduces counsellors to the concept of the life course as a multidimensional and multidisciplinary framework for thinking about clients' lives within and beyond the counselling setting. It aims to give counsellors an understanding of human development, and how it impacts practically upon their work with clients.

The book engages with the tension between, on the one hand, recognizing age and life stage as important dimensions of difference, and on the other, avoiding the pitfalls of age stereotyping and ageist discrimination. At the same time, Counselling and the Life Course shows how the concept of the life course can be used as a framework for considering the commonalities between different life stages. This provides a focus for counsellors of how to draw on their existing skills and expertise when working with clients of a different age and life stage to those with whom they generally meet. The impact of both counsellor and client age on the counselling relationship is also considered.

The book includes an `Activity Trail' of structured exercises in order to encourage reflection on the concepts discussed and their relevance to clients, the readers themselves, and their counselling practice.

`Beautifully written and well researched and full of useful structured exercise for therapists and clients, this is a combination of psychology textbook and counselling handbook - theoretical a, yet practical' - Healthcare Counselling and Psychotherapy Journal

Counselling and the Life Course introduces counsellors to the concept of the life course as a multidimensional and multidisciplinary framework for thinking about clients' lives within and beyond the counselling setting. It aims to give counsellors an understanding of human development, and how it impacts practically upon their work with clients.

The book engages with the tension between, on the one hand, recognizing age and life stage as important dimensions of difference, and on the other, avoiding the pitfalls of age stereotyping and ageist discrimination. At the same time, Counselling and the Life Course shows how the concept of the life course can be used as a framework for considering the commonalities between different life stages. This provides a focus for counsellors of how to draw on their existing skills and expertise when working with clients of a different age and life stage to those with whom they generally meet. The impact of both counsellor and client age on the counselling relationship is also considered.

The book includes an `Activity Trail' of structured exercises in order to encourage reflection on the concepts discussed and their relevance to clients, the readers themselves, and their counselling practice.

This book will help school counsellors respond more effectively to the challenging sexual issues of adolescence and to better understand the crucial role that such issues play in shaping teenagers' lives. Drawing on their years of experience in roles as varied as parent, teacher, coach, counsellor and administrator, the authors help translate knowledge into effective counselling intervention.

Find out how making yourself available to parents can mean a better life for students and their families. Includes a list of additional resources for further study.

For educators on the front line

Violence in schools is everyone's problem—when teachers can't teach and students can't learn, the community loses. Few educators, however, are prepared to respond adequately to violent and aggressive youth, let alone understand the strategies for creating a safe learning environment for students and faculty.

Bemak and Keys draw from their extensive national experience to offer innovative prevention and intervention programs for aggression and violence at school. In this comprehensive book, the authors provide practical principles and guidelines educators can put to work immediately in all types of school settings—urban, suburban, and rural.

This book offers a big-picture perspective as it provides specific in-depth explanation of:

This book is for school counselors, teachers, and administrators on the front line in the battle against escalating violence in today's schools.

Stressing ethical issues and the need to be aware of limits of competency, Anne Leigh provides straightforward guidelines. The sensitive, ethical handling of termination is also an important part of this book, backed up by clear examples and recognition of the emotional consequences of referral or termination for both counsellor and client. She examines the situations most frequently calling for referral, and the ways in which referral may take place responsibly and satisfactorily. The volume covers whether, how, to whom and when to refer on, as well as how best to receive referrals from outside agencies.

Stressing ethical issues and the need to be aware of limits of competency, Anne Leigh provides straightforward guidelines. The sensitive, ethical handling of termination is also an important part of this book, backed up by clear examples and recognition of the emotional consequences of referral or termination for both counsellor and client. She examines the situations most frequently calling for referral, and the ways in which referral may take place responsibly and satisfactorily. The volume covers whether, how, to whom and when to refer on, as well as how best to receive referrals from outside agencies.

`The comprehensive series of essays... is a timely contribution.... This book is about being professional and effective... a valuable multimodal life inventory for use with clients is provided' - Counselling, The Journal of The British Association for Counselling

What information will help you assess the therapeutic needs of a client? Could you identify a suicidal client? How can you tell whether or not you are working with appropriate clients? Answering these and other questions, this book sheds light on a crucial, but often neglected, area of counselling. The authors provide clear guidelines, backed up by practice points, which clarify the assessment, monitoring and evaluation of clients.

The book adopts a broad approach, transcending specific counselling theories and covering the main issues involved at key stages in the client/counsellor relationship - from the initial contact, through monitoring of the therapeutic programme, to ending the counselling process. Areas examined include: assessing the best type of therapy for each client; identifying the client's therapeutic goals; history taking; referral; and evaluating goal achievement.

Gladeanna McMahon is presenter of the ITV programme Dial A Mum.

`The comprehensive series of essays... is a timely contribution.... This book is about being professional and effective... a valuable multimodal life inventory for use with clients is provided' - Counselling, The Journal of The British Association for Counselling

What information will help you assess the therapeutic needs of a client? Could you identify a suicidal client? How can you tell whether or not you are working with appropriate clients? Answering these and other questions, this book sheds light on a crucial, but often neglected, area of counselling. The authors provide clear guidelines, backed up by practice points, which clarify the assessment, monitoring and evaluation of clients.

The book adopts a broad approach, transcending specific counselling theories and covering the main issues involved at key stages in the client/counsellor relationship - from the initial contact, through monitoring of the therapeutic programme, to ending the counselling process. Areas examined include: assessing the best type of therapy for each client; identifying the client's therapeutic goals; history taking; referral; and evaluating goal achievement.

Gladeanna McMahon is presenter of the ITV programme Dial A Mum.

This book provides a comprehensive examination of theories and concepts relating to group counselling and shows how differing theoretical frameworks can be used as a basis for practice.

Organized around the counselling process, the book considers the practicalities of establishing and running a group, raising awareness of its life cycle, its cultural location and many other diverse issues. Special emphasis is placed on the importance of therapeutic attitudes and philosophies as a basis for practice, and humanistic and existential approaches to group counselling are given particular attention. The author encourages readers to be aware of their conceptual framework and how it influences their work.

This book provides a comprehensive examination of theories and concepts relating to group counselling and shows how differing theoretical frameworks can be used as a basis for practice.

Organized around the counselling process, the book considers the practicalities of establishing and running a group, raising awareness of its life cycle, its cultural location and many other diverse issues. Special emphasis is placed on the importance of therapeutic attitudes and philosophies as a basis for practice, and humanistic and existential approaches to group counselling are given particular attention. The author encourages readers to be aware of their conceptual framework and how it influences their work.

Counsellors and other mental health professionals will inevitably encounter clients who are difficult to work with because they do not comply with the basic requirements of forming a trusting relationship and accepting help or advice. Such clients can place an enormous strain on those who try to help them. This book sets out practical guidelines, backed up by examples and a sound theoretical base, for the management of these difficult, disturbed or disturbing clients.

The authors concentrate on the everyday difficulties of the transaction between practitioner and client in their respective social contexts, rather than locating the problems solely within the client, and indicate ways in which these difficulties can be successfully overcome.

Counsellors and other mental health professionals will inevitably encounter clients who are difficult to work with because they do not comply with the basic requirements of forming a trusting relationship and accepting help or advice. Such clients can place an enormous strain on those who try to help them. This book sets out practical guidelines, backed up by examples and a sound theoretical base, for the management of these difficult, disturbed or disturbing clients.

The authors concentrate on the everyday difficulties of the transaction between practitioner and client in their respective social contexts, rather than locating the problems solely within the client, and indicate ways in which these difficulties can be successfully overcome.

Time-limited counselling - that is, the provision of effective counselling with limited resources and under strict time pressures - is becoming increasingly important as the demand for counselling increases, and the management of waiting lists and costs becomes a crucial concern.

In this clearly written book, which incorporates useful, illustrative examples, Colin Feltham outlines the specific practical and technical skills, strategies and knowledge counsellors must have in order to undertake time-limited counselling. Following an examination of the client's induction into counselling, he describes the most appropriate models for different clients and problems. Further chapters assess the management of time-limited counselling in different settings - including private practice - and look at research, training and supervision issues.

Squarely addressing the objections to the use of, and real problems in, the practice of this short-term therapeutic paradigm, the author argues that time-limited counselling can be justified not only on economic grounds but also ethically, philosophically, clinically and with reference to consumer preferences. He also identifies the common factors in successful short-term work that span different theoretical orientations.

Time-limited counselling - that is, the provision of effective counselling with limited resources and under strict time pressures - is becoming increasingly important as the demand for counselling increases, and the management of waiting lists and costs becomes a crucial concern.

In this clearly written book, which incorporates useful, illustrative examples, Colin Feltham outlines the specific practical and technical skills, strategies and knowledge counsellors must have in order to undertake time-limited counselling. Following an examination of the client's induction into counselling, he describes the most appropriate models for different clients and problems. Further chapters assess the management of time-limited counselling in different settings - including private practice - and look at research, training and supervision issues.

Squarely addressing the objections to the use of, and real problems in, the practice of this short-term therapeutic paradigm, the author argues that time-limited counselling can be justified not only on economic grounds but also ethically, philosophically, clinically and with reference to consumer preferences. He also identifies the common factors in successful short-term work that span different theoretical orientations.

Topics examined include: implications of funding; budgeting; staffing; location and furnishing of premises; daily working routines; how to ensure a competent, professional, safe and ethical working practice; and the sheer complexities of being a manager of therapists.

Topics examined include: implications of funding; budgeting; staffing; location and furnishing of premises; daily working routines; how to ensure a competent, professional, safe and ethical working practice; and the sheer complexities of being a manager of therapists.