The Dynamics of Power in Counselling and Psychotherapy: Ethics, politics and practice

Politically incisive and iconoclastic, Gillian Proctor's updated second edition of The Dynamics of Power in Counselling and Psychotherapy draws on her extensive research and personal experience as practitioner and client to scrutinise the balance of power in the therapy relationship. Drawing on sources from Hobbes and Machiavelli to Foucault, Ferenczi, Masson and Arendt, Proctor seeks answers to some fundamental questions: are not counselling and psychotherapy, in their very essence, potentially abusive? Is there always an unequal dynamic of power in the relationship between the professional and the client in need of their expertise? Accessible, political and critical of her own profession, Proctor's book alerts the student, practitioner and researcher to be ever-mindful of the values and ethics of social justice and accountability.

Table of Contents:
Introduction; Why does power in therapy matter?; Isn't therapy always dangerous or abusive?; What is power? Structural theories; How does power work? Post-structural theories; Cognitive Behaviour Therapy: the obscuring of power in the name of science; Person-Centred Therapy: equality in the therapy relationship?; The Psychodynamic Approach: isn't the power all in the transference?; Conclusions: So what can we do about power?

About the Author :
Dr Gillian Proctor is an independent clinical psychologist and person-centred psychotherapist and supervisor. She is a lecturer in counselling at the University of Leeds and a research supervisor. She has a particular interest in ethics, politics and power, using insights from sociology and philosophy to broaden and deepen our understanding of the relationships and ethics in counselling practice.

Review :
'Power is always present in any therapeutic relationship, but often overlooked until something goes disastrously wrong. Gillian Proctor has written an informative and thought-provoking book that will help practitioners to use power for the benefit of our clients and to be more aware of the many ways that power is present throughout our work.' Tim Bond, Emeritus Professor, University of Bristol and author of Standards and Ethics for Counselling in Action; 'In this welcome second edition, Gillian Proctor has updated her thoughtful analysis of the therapy scene in Britain today, where the power dynamics have been massively altered in the last decade by the arrival of state therapy (known as IAPT). Her thinking on power issues in society and in the therapy relationship remains among the most profound available. Its balance between therapy and politics makes this book critical reading for practitioners and students alike.' Professor Andrew Samuels, author of A New Therapy for Politics?; 'Yet again, Gillian Proctor has provided us with a compelling and engrossing book. Her depth of experience and knowledge is evident as she skilfully deconstructs dynamics of power within the structures and systems of therapy. Crucially, she provides an essential challenge to the received wisdom within the counselling professions in relation to power premises, roles, contexts and dynamics. This textbook should be required reading on all training courses and is a must-have for therapy and supervision practitioners.' Lynne Gabriel, PhD, Director of York St John University Counselling & Mental Health Clinic; 'In this scholarly analysis and discussion of power dynamics in therapy, Gillian Proctor argues convincingly that it is the duty and responsibility of every therapist, trainer and therapeutic organisation to reflect deeply on their ethical stance and on the espoused values and beliefs underpinning their practice. In recognising power as a ubiquitous elephant in the therapy room, Proctor highlights the complex interrelationship between individual agency and political, structural and cultural factors. She challenges the profession to actively embrace a multidisciplinary approach, and to eschew theories and practices that ignore, trivialise or profit from imbalances in power relations. This is a provocative, informative and inspiring read for all therapists, trainees, trainers and supervisors and one I would recommend highly as essential reading for all.' Belinda Harris, Associate Professor, School of Education, University of Nottingham