The new edition of this text has been revised in the light of the developments that have taken place in the preparation of health care professionals since 1984. Health psychology has been consolidated with a massive literature and the nursing, medical and therapist professions now value the mind and body approach to patient care more consciously. In addition to the inclusion of the practical outcomes of the developments in professional awareness, the author includes a new chapter, Support for Yourself, which discusses and gives guidelines for the practice of staff support. This is of particular importance after a decade or more of far reaching organizational change in the Health Service. Change in the preparation of health care professionals, which includes greater emphasis on communication skills, have not only improved patient care and job satisfaction but can produce new problems for the carer. Greater involvement calls for more sophisticated management skills. This new edition should serve as a personal reading and for preparation for seminars on communication skills in every discipline, particularly for those who are in continuous contact with patients and clients in the course of their practice. This book should be of interest to health professionals.