Reviews of the second edition: "It is impossible to do justice to such an exhaustive, broadbased and very readable work in a short review. Professor McLeod has been meticulous, and with true scientific impartiality has looked at, studied and described the many strands and different schools of thought and methods that can lead towards successful counselling." Therapy Weekly "This is a fascinating, informative, comprehensive and very readable book...McLeod has produced a text that offers a great deal no matter what your level of competence or knowledge." Journal of Interprofessional Care "...one of the book's strengths is McLeod's willingness to go beyond a history of the development of counselling or a beginner's technical manual...{and to} consider the political dimensions of counselling and the relevance of power to counselling relationships. A worthwhile acquisition for therapeutic community members, whatever their discipline or background." Therapeutic Communities This thoroughly revised and expanded version of the bestselling text, An Introduction to Counselling, provides a comprehensive introduction to the theory and practice of counselling and therapy.
It is written in a clear, accessible style, covers all the core approaches to counselling, and takes a critical, questioning approach to issues of professional practise. Placing each counselling approach in its social and historical context, the book also introduces a wide range of contemporary approaches, including narrative therapy, systemic, feminist and multicultural. This third edition includes a new chapter on the important emerging approach of philosophical counselling, and a chapter on the counselling relationship, as well as expanded coverage of attachment theory, counselling on the internet, and solution-focused therapy. The text has been updated throughout, with additional illustrative vignettes and case studies. Current, comprehensive and readable, with exhaustive references, An Introduction to Counselling is a classic introduction to its subject.
Table of Contents
Preface An introduction to counselling The cultural and historical origins of counselling Counselling theories: diversity and convergence Themes and issues in the psychodynamic approach to counselling From behaviourism to constructivism: the cognitive-behavioural approach to counselling Theory and practice of the person-centred approach Working with systems Feminist approaches: the radicalization of counselling Narrative approaches to counselling:working with stories Multiculturalism as an approach to counselling Philosophical counselling The counselling relationship The process of counselling The politics of counselling: empowerment, control and difference Morals, values and ethics in counselling practice The organizational context of counselling Alternative modes of delivery The role of research in counselling and therapy The skills and qualities of the effective counsellor Training and supervision in counselling Beyond an introduction: continuing the conversation References Index.
Author Biography
John McLeod is Professor of Counselling at the University of Abertay Dundee, having previously taught at Keele University and Wolverhampton University. He has practised in a range of counselling settings, as well as being involved in training, research and consultancy with many occupational groups, including nurses, social workers and emergency services personnel. The author of six books and more than fifty articles and chapters on various aspects of counselling and psychotherapy, he is currently editor of Counselling and Psychotherapy Research.
