Counselling and Helping

This new edition is an indispensable introduction to the core principles of counselling for those interested in counselling and those considering training. It describes the main styles of counselling, provides an excellent framework for helping, and introduces some of the approaches and key tools used within a counselling relationship

• Offers a stimulating and highly accessible introduction to the key aspects of counselling
• Recurring case studies to illustrate clearly the practical application of the range of styles and approaches in counselling and experiential exercises are included in each chapter to facilitate the reader's learning and understanding
• Guides the reader, in a straightforward, readable style, through the main issues that arise within counselling/helping relationships
• A book to enthuse, excite and empower those contemplating counselling training, or those who have embarked on a course and want a broad introduction

Foreword vii

Preface ix

Acknowledgements xiv

1 Introduction: What This Book is About 1

Part I: Foundations and Core Processes for Counselling and Helping 11

2 Counselling and Helping 15

3 The Basic Features of Counselling Relationships 29

4 Being Helped: Creating the Right Conditions and Expectations 53

5 Helping the Helpers 68

Part II: The Range of Styles and Approaches 85

6 Helping People to Cope 91

7 Helping People to Do Things Differently 109

8 Helping People with their Thinking 127

9 Helping People with their Feelings 147

10 Helping People with their Bodies 165

11 Helping People with their Unconscious Processes 182

12 Helping People with their Spirituality 197

13 Helping People by Coaching 213

Part III: Social Processes 229

14 Helping People to Use their Networks 233

15 Helping People in Groups 251

16 Summary and Conclusions 268

Notes 273

Further Reading, Websites and Organisations 274

Index 283

"I think that the authors have clearly and skilfully illuminated the basic principles and processes of counselling. I found it a valuable way to remind myself of the basics and make some small amendments to my own mental map of the counselling journey." (NZAC Counselling Today, 1 December 2010)

Richard Velleman is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist with Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, and Professor of Mental Health Research at the University of Bath. He has a keen interest in evidencebased service development, and has founded and led statutory addictions services, a family and psychosis service, developed a national scheme to train volunteer counsellors, and worked as an NHS Trust Board Director. Dr Velleman has published over 200 books, chapters, and journal papers on a range of counselling and other mental health topics.

Sarajane Aris is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Head of Clinical Psychology for Adult Services South Derbyshire Business Unit, Derbyshire Mental Healthcare Services NHS Trust, and is also an Associate for the Healthcare Commission. She founded the Transpersonal Network for Clinical and Counselling psychologists and therapists in the UK, has been involved in organisational change and development work for Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust and other organisations, and has worked in an advisory and consultative capacity to the Cancer Help Centre, Bristol. She has contributed chapters to books on Consciousness, and Spirituality in Mental Health.

Counselling and Helping

"Wonderfully illustrated with case examples, this book is clearly written and down-to-earth. A must-read for beginners and experienced counsellors alike." Robin Davidson, Queens University Belfast

What exactly is counselling and how does it differ from other helping relationships? What skills are needed and can they be taught? Counselling and Helping answers these and other fundamental questions, offering an accessible introduction to the core principles of the subject.

The book provides a broad framework for helping, introducing the main styles and approaches to counselling, and describes some of the tools used within a counselling relationship. New chapters for the second edition cover topics such as coping, coaching, spirituality, and the body. In addition, more material on counselling processes, outcomes, and models has been incorporated. Counselling in both one-to-one and group situations is also covered, and recurring case studies are used throughout.

This indispensable introduction to the subject will enable potential counsellors to decide whether or not they wish to pursue a career in the area. It will also be of real benefi t to those employed in nursing, medicine, and social work and those in human resources, educational and voluntary settings, for whom basic counselling skills are often invaluable. "This book enables us to revisit a number of counselling fundamentals. First, that it is the quality of the relationship between two people which is paramount. Second, that one hat does not fit all – we must tailor our approach to each individual. And third, that counselling doesn't cure people, it simply facilitates naturally occurring psychological change processes. Wonderfully illustrated with case examples, this book is clearly written and down-to-earth. A must-read for beginners and experienced counsellors alike."
—Professor Robin Davidson, Queens University Belfast