Dave Mearns

Eagerly awaited by many counsellors and psychotherapists, this new edition includes an updated preface, new content on recent research and new developments and debates around relational depth, and new case studies. This groundbreaking text goes to the very heart of the therapeutic meeting between therapist and client. Focusing on the concept of 'relational depth', the authors describe a form of encounter in which therapist and client experience profound feelings of contact and engagement with each other, and in which the client has an opportunity to explore whatever is experienced as most fundamental to her or his existence. The book has helped thousands of trainees and practitioners understand how to facilitate a relationally-deep encounter, identify the personal ‘blocks’ that may be encountered along the way, and consider new therapeutic concepts – such as 'holistic listening' – that help them to meet their clients at this level. This classic text remains a source of fresh thinking and stimulating ideas about the therapeutic encounter which is relevant to trainees and practitioners of all orientations.

Eagerly awaited by many counsellors and psychotherapists, this new edition includes an updated preface, new content on recent research and new developments and debates around relational depth, and new case studies. This groundbreaking text goes to the very heart of the therapeutic meeting between therapist and client. Focusing on the concept of 'relational depth', the authors describe a form of encounter in which therapist and client experience profound feelings of contact and engagement with each other, and in which the client has an opportunity to explore whatever is experienced as most fundamental to her or his existence. The book has helped thousands of trainees and practitioners understand how to facilitate a relationally-deep encounter, identify the personal ‘blocks’ that may be encountered along the way, and consider new therapeutic concepts – such as 'holistic listening' – that help them to meet their clients at this level. This classic text remains a source of fresh thinking and stimulating ideas about the therapeutic encounter which is relevant to trainees and practitioners of all orientations.

Audio book out now. 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. Dave Mearns is professor of counselling and retired Director of the Counselling Unit of the University of Strathclyde. He has written seven books including Working at Relational Depth in Counselling and Psychotherapy (with Mick Cooper) and is co-editor of the international journal, Person-Centered and Experiential Psychotherapies. Brian Thorne is Emeritus Professor of Counselling at the University of East Anglia, Norwich where he was previously Director of Counselling and of the Centre for Counselling Studies. He is also a Co-founder of the Norwich Centre and continues to work there as a Professional Fellow. John McLeod is Emeritus Professor of Counselling at the University of Abertay Dundee and adjunct Professor of Psychology at the University of Oslo, Norway.

Audio book out now. 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. Dave Mearns is professor of counselling and retired Director of the Counselling Unit of the University of Strathclyde. He has written seven books including Working at Relational Depth in Counselling and Psychotherapy (with Mick Cooper) and is co-editor of the international journal, Person-Centered and Experiential Psychotherapies. Brian Thorne is Emeritus Professor of Counselling at the University of East Anglia, Norwich where he was previously Director of Counselling and of the Centre for Counselling Studies. He is also a Co-founder of the Norwich Centre and continues to work there as a Professional Fellow. John McLeod is Emeritus Professor of Counselling at the University of Abertay Dundee and adjunct Professor of Psychology at the University of Oslo, Norway.

`This is a useful book for those who use person-centred counselling in their practice, or who are training to become person-centred counsellors' - Counselling and Psychotherapy, the Journal of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy Developing Person-Centred Counselling, Second Edition is designed to help counsellors improve their skills within the person-centred approach. Written by Dave Mearns, leading person-centred expert and bestselling author, the Second Edition has been fully revised and updated taking account of developments in person-centred practice. With new chapters on growth and transference, the book covers the subjects which are central to person-centred training: } the core conditions } therapeutic alliance } development of the counsellor } therapeutic process } the person-centred approach in relation to psychopathology. Supported by case material and examples from practice, each part of the book presents the counsellor with practical, and often challenging ideas, which encourage him/her to think carefully about his/her practice and how to improve it. Developing Person-Centred Counselling, Second Edition is a highly practical and inspiring resource for trainees and practitioners alike.

`This is a useful book for those who use person-centred counselling in their practice, or who are training to become person-centred counsellors' - Counselling and Psychotherapy, the Journal of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy Developing Person-Centred Counselling, Second Edition is designed to help counsellors improve their skills within the person-centred approach. Written by Dave Mearns, leading person-centred expert and bestselling author, the Second Edition has been fully revised and updated taking account of developments in person-centred practice. With new chapters on growth and transference, the book covers the subjects which are central to person-centred training: } the core conditions } therapeutic alliance } development of the counsellor } therapeutic process } the person-centred approach in relation to psychopathology. Supported by case material and examples from practice, each part of the book presents the counsellor with practical, and often challenging ideas, which encourage him/her to think carefully about his/her practice and how to improve it. Developing Person-Centred Counselling, Second Edition is a highly practical and inspiring resource for trainees and practitioners alike.

`This is a book that is rooted in the origins of person-centred therapy but stands at the cutting edge of new ideas developing in this tradition. It will reinvigorate those of us already immersed in this tradition. It should convince newcomers of the vitality and potential of this approach to therapy' - Tim Bond, University of Bristol `This book is clearly a labour of love by two authors with unique abilities and unparalleled experience: readers will be educated, inspired and encouraged in their own dialogue with the person-centred approach'- Charles J O'Leary, Denver, Colorado `Mearns and Thorne have done Rogers proud in suggesting how person-centred theory and practice can, without losing its essence, evolve in new directions' - Richard Nelson-Jones, Director of the Humanistic Cognitive Institute, Chiang Mai Person-Centred Therapy Today represents a significant contribution to the development of the person-centred approach. It will be read by teachers and students of counselling and psychology who wish to keep their knowledge of the approach fully up to date and by all who consider themselves to be person-centred in their approach to helping clients.

`This is a book that is rooted in the origins of person-centred therapy but stands at the cutting edge of new ideas developing in this tradition. It will reinvigorate those of us already immersed in this tradition. It should convince newcomers of the vitality and potential of this approach to therapy' - Tim Bond, University of Bristol `This book is clearly a labour of love by two authors with unique abilities and unparalleled experience: readers will be educated, inspired and encouraged in their own dialogue with the person-centred approach'- Charles J O'Leary, Denver, Colorado `Mearns and Thorne have done Rogers proud in suggesting how person-centred theory and practice can, without losing its essence, evolve in new directions' - Richard Nelson-Jones, Director of the Humanistic Cognitive Institute, Chiang Mai Person-Centred Therapy Today represents a significant contribution to the development of the person-centred approach. It will be read by teachers and students of counselling and psychology who wish to keep their knowledge of the approach fully up to date and by all who consider themselves to be person-centred in their approach to helping clients.

`This thoughtful and thought-provoking book is essential reading not only for those involved in the training of counsellors within the person-centred approach, but also for individuals who may have simplistic, dismissive or otherwise ill-informed notions of the depth of self-awareness required of the person-centred practitioner and the far-reaching challenges offered by the approach. For counsellors who define themselves as "person-centred" but who have had no substantial training, it should be compulsory reading' - British Journal of Guidance & Counselling Person-centred counselling probably requires more training - and a greater intensity of training - than most other mainstream counselling approaches, but until now no one book has concentrated solely on the principles, practices and requirements of training person-centred counsellors. Dave Mearns has drawn on the lived experiences of both trainers and trainees to demonstrate the potential range and importance of training in this field. The material covered includes selecting and supporting trainers, selecting course members, skills development, supervision and other professional issues - essential features of all counsellor training, but of particular relevance to the person-centred approach. Written expressly for both trainees and trainers, this book also extends and develops current thinking within the approach, and will be a valuable resource for all person-centred practitioners.

`This thoughtful and thought-provoking book is essential reading not only for those involved in the training of counsellors within the person-centred approach, but also for individuals who may have simplistic, dismissive or otherwise ill-informed notions of the depth of self-awareness required of the person-centred practitioner and the far-reaching challenges offered by the approach. For counsellors who define themselves as "person-centred" but who have had no substantial training, it should be compulsory reading' - British Journal of Guidance & Counselling Person-centred counselling probably requires more training - and a greater intensity of training - than most other mainstream counselling approaches, but until now no one book has concentrated solely on the principles, practices and requirements of training person-centred counsellors. Dave Mearns has drawn on the lived experiences of both trainers and trainees to demonstrate the potential range and importance of training in this field. The material covered includes selecting and supporting trainers, selecting course members, skills development, supervision and other professional issues - essential features of all counsellor training, but of particular relevance to the person-centred approach. Written expressly for both trainees and trainers, this book also extends and develops current thinking within the approach, and will be a valuable resource for all person-centred practitioners.