`Sue Culley does a good job in providing a rationale for an approach in counselling that goes beyond the merely eclectic and shows how the skills she describes can be organized into what she calls a `consistent and meaningful whole'. There are meticulous descriptions of the microskills of counselling, examples of the strategies that can be used when faced with particular issues within counselling relationships and discussion of the aims and goals of the counselling process... a very worthy and thorough book about counselling as an understandable and rational application of specific skills and the counselling process as a generally predictable sequence of events or stages... A worthwhile book, clear, concise, almost a `How to do it' book (which will) appeal to those undertaking skills training or looking for a straightforward non-jargon approach' - Self & Society
`really practical and will be helpful to many engaged in counselling at work. The skills and techniques are accompanied throughout by excellent case material' - Insight
`successfully presents a very clear, eclectic stage model of counselling, with each stage described in relation to a specific set of counsellor aims, strategies and skills... The book is short, readable, well-written, well-organized and very clear. The helping process is well-described in a practical and useful way. The framework instils confidence in the reader, and the basic skills are portrayed in concrete, meaningful, interesting and accessible ways. The reader is given clear guidance about what to do, as a basis for practising the skills to be learnt.The book has a great deal to offer the trainee counsellor and it is a valuable resource for the counselling or psychotherapy tutor. It is also potentially very valuable to other professions, such as medicine, nursing or teaching, as a way of enhancing their communication skills' - British Journal of Medical Psychology
`can scarcely be bettered for discussion of foundation skills' - British Book News
`This excellent book describes a three-stage model of counselling compatible with similar models (Carkhuff, Egan, etc) but using simple, everyday language which allows the ideas and structures suggested to be readily accessible to many people... The section on questions is particularly useful - a difficult skill rarely so clearly explained... A valuable addition to the existing books on counselling skills, the greatest value of this book will be to new students of counselling, helping them to identify and practice the skills they are learning. However, its very easy, accessible style will make it a welcome addition to many a bookshelf' - British Psychological Society Counselling Psychology Review
`Students and doctors alike need to be able to use listening/counselling skills in relating to patients. Culley provides an excellent basic introductory text outlining these skills, which can undoubtedly be both learnt and taught. A practical three stage approach to the counselling process is also described' - British Medical Journal
