Person-Centred Counselling in Action

by Dave Mearns, Brian Thorne, John McLeod

This book has influenced a generation of counsellors and the new edition continues to offer insight and wisdom. - Janet Tolan, Psychotherapist and author of Skills in Person-Centred Counselling and Psychotherapy

It is now 25 years since the first edition of Person-Centred Counselling in Action appeared , offering the definitive exposition of the theory and practice of the person-centred approach. Since then the book has supported and inspired hundreds of thousands of trainees and practitioners worldwide.

This important Fourth Edition maintains the book's accessibility , clarity and verve whilst incorporating new developments in the approach. John McLeod joins authors Dave Mearns and Brian Thorne to contribute an exciting new chapter on research relevant to the person-centred field.

Person-Centred Counselling in Action Fourth Edition will be an invaluable resource for those embarking on their first stages of training. Well-established practitioners and even seasoned scholars will continue to find much to interest and stimulate them.

Genres: Counselling, Psychology, Nonfiction, College, Reference

228 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Morgan Blackledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh man.

This book is SOOOOOOO fucking good.

For all you therapists out there.

There is SO much more to person-centered counseling (PCC) than we learned in grad school.

The way the approach is rendered in this book SO rich, and SO deep and SO powerful.

SO much more than “supportive therapy”.

This book has deepened my practice, my experience of self, and my sense of relationship.

If you’re a therapist.

I simply can’t recommend this book enough.

As dry as and unappealing as it looks.

Is as good as it actually is.

5/5 stars ⭐️

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very clearly written description with numerous, helpful, real-world examples of the application of person-centred principles in counselling. I found the book both illuminating and inspiring.

This was the first book I read on any kind of counselling or psychotherapy. I had been learning about PCC (as well as CBT and psychodynamic therapies) in an introductory counselling course and I felt that the course was enough of an introduction for me to get in to this book.

The examples were all real, which prevented any sense of contrivance in the writing. I think this was why I felt very much immersed while reading it. A few examples were (for comparison) of naive responses from therapists and I found those very helpful too.

The only part of the book that I did not find easily digestible was an early chapter on configurations. It sounded like the information in that chapter had emerged from relatively recent research and was therefore not something I had learnt about.

[Dominika · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gem of a book, I've read it in virtually no time and will definitely get my own copy after returning the library one, just to be able to revisit it now and then. Truly recommend.

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book for all counselling students! My teacher said that it's a must read for students and I completely agree. :)
I particular loved listening to the examples of counselling sessions!

[Steven Berger · Rating 4 out of 5]

An important and useful text, but I felt that I got more from 'Working At Relational Depth' than this. Still though, a must for any trainee counsellor looking to develop a good understanding of PCT. Also, the central case study is both incredibly moving and powerful, and makes the book something even more than just a study of PCT.

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was recommended reading for me both through my university work and my charity counselling-training, and I am really glad I actually took the time to read it properly rather than skimming it as “another person-centred text”.

There is far more depth to person-centred counselling here than it is often given credit for. Concepts like empathy, acceptance and congruence can sometimes be presented as quite basic or obvious, but this book makes it clear how demanding and skilful they really are in practice. It challenged the idea that person-centred work is just being supportive or nice.

The explanations are clear, grounded in real examples, and easy to follow, which made it much easier to connect the theory to actual practice. It also helped me think more carefully about how people communicate distress. Many people are struggling or experiencing depression without fully recognising it themselves, and this book highlights how change can only really happen when the person is ready and feels genuinely understood.

It is not a flashy 'self-help' book, but as a foundation text that feels like a strength rather than a weakness. It has made me reflect quite a lot and deepened both my understanding of counselling relationships and my awareness of myself.

[Reuben Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really helpful, I’d say essential reading for any person centred trainee. It presents the theory in a super accessible, easy to understand way, and makes it feel easy to apply as well. Of course it’s old and nothing radical but as a pure foundation to learn it’s a really good resource.

[Abigail Faircloth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really well paced book giving an overview of the theory, application and research examples of the core conditions. There are some useful questions in the appendix too. As someone who finds Rogers very wordy, I really warm to Mearns & Thorne’s simple style.

[Kate Carrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super useful text book for anyone that is studying Person Centred Counselling :)

[Jane Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

A therapeutic read

If you want to read about human interaction at its best, read this book. Amazing insight into this form of counselling

[Nathan Hodgson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit wordy for a practical guide to PCT. Was nothing if not exhaustive.

[Mihai Matei · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes you have some pieces of a puzzle , there is a vague or almost clear partial image but the whole picture is not there .

[Andy Smith]

Great writers and book always be useful as a qualified therapist

[Caroline Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most useful books I've read about person-centred counselling. Was incredibly useful during my BA degree, would recommend to current & future counselling students.

[Kimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really useful if studying on the level 4

[Alina Orel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recomand!

[Sukhmani · Rating 3 out of 5]

.

[Harriet Shearsmith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remain convinced that PC is a great starting point but just not enough alone. I thought the thoughts on integrative practice were really interesting.

[Carolina · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who is only just starting to learn about counselling, I thought this book did an excellent job of explaining the guiding principles of the person-centred approach without ever being too academic or difficult to understand. I loved the examples of counsellor-client interactions given throughout the book and the case study in the final chapters because they made it easy to see how the ideas in the book are applied in real life, not just in an idealised version of real life where everything goes according to a straightforward script (as is sometimes the case in "practical" examples in other books)!

[Ahlam Tariq · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favourite book for Person-centred Counselling and should be a must read for psychotherapy students. The book is easy to read and very enjoyable, it explains complex ideas and situations that one may encounter in therapy. It had great snippets from clients of the authors and the most wholesome examples.

[Alison Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

currently reading.....excellent for dipping in and out of for specific information about Person Centred Counselling, but also an interesting read chapter-by-chapter.
Really helpful in developing an understanding of not only how this approach works, but also a greater understanding of the Self.

[Peter Koukoulis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only read this once you've read all of Carl Rogers's books.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent if you are interested in PC Counselling?

[Sally McRogerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would recommend this highly readable book for anyone training to be a counsellor.

[Vickie Fox- · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clear and straightforward book to read, suitable for trainees or those just interested in learning about a person-centred approach.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this whilst doing a counselling course several years again. I found it a really useful book, easy to read.

[Aveen]

I found all the 'In action' book series very helpful - clear, concise and understandable!

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent introduction to person-centred counselling and the values and beliefs behind it. Easy to read, and engaging.

[Teriteriri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for every therapist-beginner

[Alice Hazdun · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read the newer version for my counselling L4. A lot more comprehensive and useful.