The Existential Counselling Primer

by Mick Cooper

Each book in the Primer Series is ideal for students who wish to understand the essence of a theory (with pointers for further reading), or want focused input for comparative essays and integrative theory assignments.

Genres: Psychology

111 pages, Paperback

First published April 7, 2012

Reviews

[Bridie Tulloch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great little book on existential therapy by Mick Cooper. Existential therapists are relational, the emphasis is on the authentic therapeutic relationship. It’s a phenomenological approach within which the therapist attempts to ‘bracket off’ there own ‘theories, assumptions, interpretations, prejudices and wants’ to meet the client with openness and a state of ‘not knowing’, coming from a state of ‘clear space’ in their minds. Phenomenological approaches consider the meaning and meaning making of their clients processes. Therapists aim to help their clients describe their experiences and how they experience their world, helping them to develop their awareness of their lived experience. The focus isn’t necessarily on past or present issues, but how the client experiences them in the moment whilst linking this to their past. The existential approach is humanistic, using exploring as a method of helping the client describe their inner experiences, in detail, in the moment. The re-telling of experiences is encouraged, as is focusing on bodily sensations as in focusing methods to explore what is present in the body. Dream interpretation can include a humanistic-psychodynamic method whereby the therapeutic relationship is at the forefront of the interpretation process.

[Evi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Een miniscuul klein boekje met een zware lading. Duur voor zijn dikte, maar te kostbaar voor woorden. Dankzij Mick Cooper, waar ik overigens mee danste op het wereldcongres CCT, ben ik helemaal voorbereid op de start van de jaaropleiding existentiële therapie!

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good at what it promises on the tin to be good for. I found it a helpful little book to speed-read ahead of my end-of-term papers to help me remember the major landmarks of this modality. It's not a book you read for nuance, it's one you read for mnemonics.

[Sippy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable and good and concise intro to existential therapy/counselling. Fit for rereading later on.

[Allan Claydon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting connecting the theoretical nature of existentialism and phenomenology with its practicality in improving and helping people live