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Understanding Counselling and Psychotherapy Meg-John Barker

Understanding Counselling and Psychotherapy By Meg-John Barker

Understanding Counselling and Psychotherapy by Meg-John Barker


Summary

This book provides a comprehensive, clear and accessible introduction to counselling and psychotherapy theory and practice

Understanding Counselling and Psychotherapy Summary

Understanding Counselling and Psychotherapy by Meg-John Barker

Understanding Counselling and Psychotherapy focuses on common problems such as anxiety and depression, exploring how different therapeutic approaches understand and work with them. Counselling and psychotherapy are considered within the wider context of their history and the mental health systems in which they are often located. In addition to this, the book introduces key aspects of the theory and practice of counselling and psychotherapy, and the increasing relevance of research in this area.

- Section 1 introduces counselling and psychotherapy and the history of these professions, considering how current understandings of 'mental health problems' have been influenced by psychiatric diagnosis, biomedical approaches and psychoanalysis.

- Section 2 covers four key therapeutic approaches - humanistic, existential, cognitive-behavioural and mindfulness - exploring how they work with problems relating to fear and sadness.

- Section 3 focuses on therapeutic perspectives that specifically address problems in a wider context, such as relationships, families, cultural groups and society.

- Section 4 considers practice and research issues in counselling and psychotherapy, including the different contexts and settings in which these take place, the therapeutic relationship, and outcome and process research.

This accessible and stimulating text uses innovative activities and case illustrations to demonstrate how people experience common problems, and how counsellors and psychotherapists work with these.

Understanding Counselling and Psychotherapy Reviews

'I enjoyed reading this book, finding it stimulating, well written, and provocative. I thought it would make an excellent introductory read, especially if this was augmented by critical debate and discussion. For me it is an engaging read and provides both a clear and contextually relevant background to its subject' -
Journal of The Society for Existential Analysis

'This is probably one of the most useful books I am ever likely to own. It is the nearest thing to a complete Bible for all aspects of my work as a counsellor, trainer and supervisor that I have had the privilege to read...For those who cannot afford to invest in a whole library, [this] is the book to buy' -
Therapy Today

About Meg-John Barker

Meg-John Barker is a senior lecturer in psychology at the Open University and a UKCP accredited psychotherapist. Meg-John has published many academic books and papers on topics including mindfulness, relationships, sexuality and gender, as well as co-editing the journal Psychology & Sexuality. They chaired production of the main counselling course at the Open University and co-edited the accompanying textbook Understanding Counselling and Psychotherapy, as well as writing further books on Mindful Counselling and Psychotherapy, and on Sexuality and Gender for Mental Health Professionals. Their main focus is on writing for the general public, drawing on academic and psychotherapeutic theories and research. They published the mindfulness-influenced self-help relationship book Rewriting the Rules in 2013, and 2016 saw the publication of The Secrets of Enduring Love (with Jacqui Gabb), a comic introduction to queer (with Julia Scheele), and a practical guide to sex (with Justin Hancock). Meg-John also informs UK policy and practice around sexuality and gender, and they are involved in running many public events including Critical Sexology. They blog about all these topics on www.megjohnbarker.com. Twitter: @megjohnbarker. Andreas Vossler is Director of the Foundation Degree in Counselling and Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the Open University. He is also a systemic trained couple and family psychotherapist. His current research activities focus on therapeutic work with couples and families, infidelity, Internet infidelity, and counselling and psychotherapy. Andreas is co-editor of the Counselling and Psychotherapy Research Handbook (2014) and Understanding Counselling and Psychotherapy (2010; both Sage). He has authored three textbooks and published 17 book chapters and 19 articles in peer-reviewed papers on topics related to counselling and psychotherapy (family therapy, infidelity, online counselling, health psychology, psychiatry) and research methods. Andreas is on the editorial board of Counselling Psychology Quarterly and Forum Community-Psychology.

Table of Contents

Introduction - Meg Barker, Andreas Vossler and Darren Langdridge PART ONE: COUNSELLING, PSYCHOTHERAPY AND 'MENTAL HEALTH' The Diagnosis of Mental-Health Problems - David Pilgrim Understanding Drug Treatments: A Biopsychosocial Approach - Frederick Toates Psychoanalysis: The 'Talking Cure' - Ian Parker PART TWO: INDIVIDUAL THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES Humanistic Approaches - Fiona Ballantine Dykes Existential Psychotherapy - Darren Langdridge Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - Paul M Salkovskis Mindfulness Approaches - Meg Barker PART THREE: BEYOND THE INDIVIDUAL Systemic Approaches - Andreas Vossler Sociocultural Issues - Meg Barker PART FOUR: PRACTISING AND EVALUATING COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY Context and Setting - Andreas Vossler The Therapeutic Relationship - Darren Langdridge, Meg Barker and Mick Cooper Outcomes Research - Michael Barkham and Meg Barker Process Research: Using Qualitative Methods to Explore Therapeutic Practice around Issues of Fear and Sadness - John McLeod Conclusions - Meg Barker, Andreas Vossler and Darren Langdridge

Additional information

GOR002574205
9781849204767
1849204764
Understanding Counselling and Psychotherapy by Meg-John Barker
Used - Very Good
Paperback
SAGE Publications Ltd
2010-03-22
320
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in very good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us

Customer Reviews - Understanding Counselling and Psychotherapy