Counselling and Therapy Techniques: Theory & Practice

This is the first book on counselling skills to look in detail at the practical interventions and tools used to establish the therapeutic relationship. Step-by-step, the text teaches the reader exactly how to use these skills with clients to address their concerns and achieve therapeutic change. Integrative and pluralistic in approach, the text covers the key techniques from all the major therapeutic models, placing them in their historical and theoretical contexts. Techniques covered include empathic responding, experiential focusing, Gestalt, metaphors, task-directed imagery, ego state therapy, solution focused therapy, cognitive behvioral therapy, narrative therapy and self-in-relationship therapy. The book: - presents each technique from the perspective of its underlying theory; - gives practical instruction on how to deliver each intervention; - provides extracts from counselling sessions to demonstrate the technique in action. This book is crucial reading for all trainees on counselling and psychotherapy courses or preparing to use counselling techniques in a range of other professional settings. It is also helpful for professionals who wish to acquire additional skills. Augustine Meier, certified clinical psychologist, professor Emeritus, Faculty of Human Sciences, Saint Paul University, Ottawa, Ontario and Founder and President of the Ottawa Institute for Object Relations Therapy. Micheline Boivin, certified clinical psychologist, Psychological Services of the Family, Youth and Children's Program at the Centre for Health and Social Services, Gatineau, Quebec.

Table of Contents:
Theoretical Bridges and the Psychotherapy Process Introduction Epistemological Foundations Psychotherapeutic Content - Client Experiences Encoding Experiences Psychic Organisations and Processes Target of Change: Behaviour or Reworking and Rebuilding Psychic Organizations Phases of the Change Process and Techniques Techniques and the Therapeutic Relationship Therapist - Client Collaboration Discriminate Use of a Technique Ethical Considerations and the Use of Techniques References Empathic Responses Introduction Empathy: Origin and Definitions Theoretical Aspects Measuring Accurate Empathy The Technique of Empathic Responding Guidelines for Formulating and Communicating Empathic Responses Common Problems and Empathic Inhibitors Illustration: Tania References The Experiential Focusing Technique Introduction Theoretical Aspects The Practice of Experiential Focusing Illustration: Simone References The Gestalt Empty-Chair and Two-Chair Techniques Introduction Part 1: Personality Organization and Processes Primary Motivating Factor Contact and Contact Boundary Stages of Personality Development Subsystems of Personality Processes of Personality Development Organismic Self-Regulation Boundary Disturbances Therapeutic Goals, Role of Therapist and Techniques Part 2: The Gestalt Empty-Chair Technique Unfinished Business The Gestalt Empty-Chair Technique in Action Illustration: Robert Part 3: The Gestalt Two-Chair Technique Theoretical Aspects Procedures Using the Gestalt Two-Chair Technique Illustration: Rick Conclusion References The Use of Metaphors in Therapy Introduction Metaphor: Definition, Structure, and Power Client-Generated Metaphors Types of Client-Generated Metaphors Techniques to Unravel Metaphors Eliciting and Exploring Client-Generated Metaphors Pitfalls in Using Metaphors Ethical Considerations Illustration: Karen References Task-Directed Imagery Introduction Imagery in Context Task-Directed Imagery Illustration: Maylyn References Ego-State Therapy Introduction Ego States: Major Concepts, Development, and Activation The Practice of Ego-State Therapy Illustration: Sonja References Solution-Focused Therapy Introduction Theoretical Aspects The Practice of Solution-Focused Therapy Procedures for Doing Solution-Focused Therapy Illustration: Colleen References Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy Introduction Part 1: Theoretical Aspects Theory of Personality Theory of Psychopathology Part 2: Psychotherapy Procedures and Techniques Goal of Therapy Fundamental Clinical Processes Psychotherapeutic Techniques Part 3: Working with Automatic Thoughts Procedures Illustration: Sébastien Part 4: Working with Schemas Classification of Schemas Schema Processes Procedures Illustration: Sébastien References Narrative Therapy Introduction Theoretical Influences Theoretical Aspects The Practice of Narrative Therapy Method in Working with Narratives Ethical Considerations Illustration: Sonja References Self-in-Relationship Psychotherapy Introduction Major Concepts and Processes Therapeutic Process Illustration: Sofía References

Review :
′This original and sophisticated book provides advanced students with a focused introduction to the main schools of counselling, offering detailed, accurate and highly specific information about each counselling technique. Ideal reading for postgraduate psychology students, counselling psychology trainees or trainee counsellors, I would recommend this book for my students.′ - Dr Fiona Starr, Chartered Clinical Psychologist and Principal Lecturer, School of Health and Social Sciences, Middlesex University ′This book is a pleasure to read. Written in an easy-to-follow format the contents provide the reader with not only the theory of each technique but more importantly the ways in which it can be used. Therapists will find this a useful addition to their bookshelves and to their therapeutic work in general. As someone who taught on Diploma and Masters programmes in Counselling, this book will also be of considerable use to trainee therapists and tutors alike.′ - Gladeana McMahon, Co-Director, Centre for Stress Management and Chair of the Association for Coaching UK