The theory behind Co-Counselling argues that emotional expression should be welcomed and that human beings can help each other recover from past distress by taking turns giving and receiving attention. Benefits of the method include the acceleration of personal growth and the reduction of the stresses inherent in the practitioner's role. This accessible book offers a serious challenge to much of what is currently considered good practice in mental health services, and succeeds in developing a dialogue between co-counselling and other therapeutic approaches. It provides a thorough introduction to the method, incorporating recent developments in the field and providing a comprehensive account of both the theory and practice. The reader also benefits from inclusion of clinical material outlining the experiences of people from a range of backgrounds offering evidence of the value of Co-Counselling. Co-Counselling offers a model that has many implications for anyone struggling with emotional problems, particularly those recovering from discrimination, prejudice and oppression. Counsellors and psychotherapists will find this book to be an invaluable resource which both challenges and stimulates.

Annotation This comprehensive account of Co-Counselling theory presents valuable insights into subjects including human vulnerability to distress, the societal context of emotional problems and emotional discharge in relation to the healing process.

Becoming a Counsellor is a one-stop reference book for all new counselling trainees. Whether starting out on an introductory course or tackling a postgraduate diploma, this book will make the journey to professional qualification that little bit easier. It addresses the complexities and challenges of counselling training by confronting and unpicking the many potentially daunting issues and questions faced by students throughout their training. The book covers a comprehensive range of topics, including - choosing a course and theoretical orientation - clarifying roles - who′s who on the course? - explaining common pedagogical activities and expectations, including the personal development journal - assessment, supervision and support - ethical and legal issues. While earlier chapters introduce methods of learning and developing for those new to the field, later sections addressing research, supervision and placements will be of interest to students who are studying at a higher level. This engaging, straightforward introduction to counselling will be an essential companion for students new to counselling throughout their training, whether on basic introductory or postgraduate diploma courses.

Humanistic Psychology ranges far and wide into education, management, gender issues and many other fields. Ordinary Ecstasy, first published in 1976, is widely regarded as one of the most important books on the subject. Although this new edition still contains much of the original material, it has been completely rethought in the light of postmodern ideas, with more emphasis on the paradoxes within humanistic psychology, and takes into account changes in many different areas, with a greatly extended bibliography. Ordinary Ecstasy is written not only for students and professionals involved in humanistic psychology - anyone who works with people in any way will find it valuable and interesting.

Applies the principles of conversation analysis to AIDS counselling situations.

This two volume text provides a comprehensive introduction to the issues, theories and methods of psychology, including both classic approaches and recent research. The areas covered range from the intellectual, social and emotional development of the child to the ways in which adults perceive, attend, remember and communicate; from Freud's psychoanalytic framework to the work of present day psychologists; from debates about the scientific status of psychology to the special problems which the study of people poses for psychologists. Each chapter presents important issues in depth, highlighting controversies while showing that they rarely have neat solutions. Throughout, emphasis is given to the contrasting levels of analysis which contribute to the understanding of psychological functioning, from fundamental biological processes to complex social interactions. While prepared for the Open University course "Introduction to Psychology" these volumes will provide an excellent introduction to students of psychology at other universities and colleges. The text incorporates the best of the Open University's tried and tested teaching methods, and particular importance is placed on encouraging the reader's active participation, making the books enjoyable and stimulating as well as informative. The text is divided into eight sections comprising eighteen

`This is one of the most comprehensive books that I have read that addresses the relationship between therapies, the social and the political. Comprehensive in the sense that it covers many areas in short but succinct chapters which focus on particular relationships in the field. It is, in some way, a textbook, rather than a monograph and I would imagine that students of the field would find it a useful source of reference that they would return to time and again′ - Psychotherapy & Politics `SAGE′s invariably stimulating book series ′Perspectives in Psychotherapy′, edited by Colin Feltham, is certainly fortunate to be graced by the latest addition from Nick Totton, who offers us a tour de force of the diverse and manifold ways in which therapy and politics interpenetrate and inform each other′ - Richard House, Self & Society `This is a truly outstanding book. In a world riven with anger, hatred, fear and aggression it provides a window of rationality, inspired by intelligence, understanding and humanistic principles′ - The Journal of Critical Psychology, Counselling & Psychotherapy `This stimulating addition to SAGE′s catalogues aims to give the practising counsellor/therapist a multi-dimensional overview of the various ways in which the political and psychotherapeutic worlds interface′ - Association for University and College Counselling Newsletter This stimulating book explores the long-standing relationship between psychotherapy and politics and argues that from the beginning psychotherapy has had a political face. Documenting instances where ideas from psychotherapy have been incorporated into the political agenda, the book demonstrates the practical value of psychotherapy as an instigator of social and political change. Related to this, attempts to understand and evaluate political life through the application of psychotherapeutic concepts are examined. The author poses a number of key questions, including: What is human nature? Are aggression and violence innate in us? Is the therapeutic relationship inherently unequal? And, is the political an appropriate topic for therapy and counselling?