Skills in Person-Centred Counselling & Psychotherapy

Book excerpt: This book has already helped thousands of beginning practitioners understand the subtleties of the person-centred approach and develop skills in person-centred counselling practice. Now in its second edition, this step-by-step guide takes the reader through the counselling process, providing advice on how to structure and manage therapeutic work in ways which are thoroughly grounded in person-centred principles. Janet Tolan defines the key tenets of the approach - psychological contact, congruence, empathy and unconditional positive regard - and demonstrates how they are used effectively in a range of counsellor-client interactions. Describing all aspects of the therapeutic relationship from the initial meeting to ending the relationship well, this new edition contains new chapters - 'Debates and Developments in Practice' and 'Edgy and Ethical Issues'. This book is an ideal introduction for beginners and for more experienced therapists who want to extend their range. Janet Tolan is a Consultant and Private Practitioner in Manchester. She has worked extensively in education and training, most recently as leader of the Counselling and Psychotherapy Masters programme at Liverpool John Moores University.