Therapy and Beyond

by Martin Milton (Editor)

Therapy and Counselling Psychology Contributions to Therapeutic and Social Issues presents an overview of the origins, current practices, and potential future of the discipline of counselling psychology. 

348 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me in my doctoral course by a former student. He described it as being the most valuable text for this journey and I think he was probably right about this, although there are so many good texts out there. This book provides more than just the usual overview of Counselling Psychology and instead gives the reader a deep sense of the philosophical roots of the field and of its ethos and direction. What is also brilliant about this book is that it provides thorough descriptions of how models can be integrated and how we can see them as less opposed. What I particularly pleased to see was a chapter talking about CBT in a more knowledgeable and positive light. Sometimes it can be disappointing to hear constantly how mechanised and directive this therapy can be and almost lose the real value and historical development of this model. And I was reminded that models really can work in different ways for different people, particularly with a humanistic or person centred underpinning.

There are many good examples of therapeutic work from other perspectives too and particularly from an existential perspective, something that I feel offers a great deal of hope and tackles much deeper issues. The example of therapy given in the book actually made me feel quite emotional, such powerful reading.

There is a lot of information collected in this book and it offers a great deal of knowledge. Race and sexuality is talked about in different, illuminating ways. Often, even in psychological texts these areas are simple skimmed. This has given me a lot to think about in my own practice.

I fully recommend this text as always to psych students but also to anybody. To those who are curious about human nature and about how we connect to others and the world around us. And to the dreamers and the doers who want to make a difference.