If you are thinking of becoming a counsellor, you may be wondering if you could put to good use your own life experience by offering support and understanding to those trying to cope with difficulties that you may have encountered and worked through yourself.The ancient Greek aphorism "know thyself" is immensely important in this regard. For unless counsellors are in harmony with themselves they cannot truly relate to the needs of those they seek to help. It is not enough for the counsellor to play the role of the therapist. He or she has to be the therapist - a very different concept.This book explores the journeys of self-discovery that prompted the pioneering practitioners to direct their skills in particular ways and the influence exerted by their backgrounds, ambitions, and personal histories. The overall objective is to help intending therapists to arrive at an understanding of the inner resources they will need to embark on a counselling career, and to help them determine which approach might best accord with their temperament and lifetime's experience. The strategies these practitioners devised are investigated, and case studies used to demonstrate how the different modalities are applied, and how clients may benefit from them.

About the Author
Jonathan Ingrams came to counselling following twenty-five years of making medical educational programmes for doctors and general audiences in the United States and Europe. Over the past fourteen years he has practiced as a psychotherapist with a broad spectrum of clients from the "worried well" to those suffering a range of mental illnesses of varying severity. His work has included counselling for young offenders and taking referrals from GPs, insurance companies, and employee assistance programmes.

Reviews
'This book provides what it says on the tin. Written for those contemplating training as a counsellor, it is a plain-speaking introduction to psychotherapy and counselling and the main modalities, and aims to help the potential trainee decide if they are a) suited to the work and b) what approach would best suit their particular skills and aptitudes.[...] I would recommend the book as a useful introduction to those completely new to counselling and one that will help them decide if it really is for them (and they are for it).'- Marc Brammer, counsellor and freelance journalist, Therapy Today



Book Information
ISBN 9781780490168
Author Jonathan Ingrams
Format Paperback
Page Count 176
Imprint Karnac Books
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd