Staff burnout and work-related stress in mental health professionals cost the National Health Service not only millions of pounds each year, but also impact upon the welfare of those being cared for. Staff Support Groups in the Helping Professions takes the lead from recent Department of Health initiatives, promoting the use of staff support groups to foster emotional resilience, deal with potential conflict and support reflective practice.

In this book Hartley, Kennard and their contributors explore the influences that help and hinder the setting up and running of staff support groups, and attempt to counter the often negative reactions that the term 'staff support' can evoke. They demonstrate that such support groups can be a sophisticated and valuable intervention that needs careful preparation and skilful management to succeed, and will in turn not only benefit the individual, but also the department as a whole and those that they care for.

Contributors share their experiences of facilitating support groups in a number of settings including:

• psychiatric wards
• therapeutic communities
• social services
• schools
• children's homes.

Containing a wealth of case material, Staff Support Groups in the Helping Professions will provide much-needed guidance for those professionals attending, managing, or in the process of setting up a staff support group.

Staff burnout and work-related stress in mental health professionals cost the National Health Service not only millions of pounds each year, but also impact upon the welfare of those being cared for. Staff Support Groups in the Helping Professions takes the lead from recent Department of Health initiatives, promoting the use of staff support groups to foster emotional resilience, deal with potential conflict and support reflective practice.

In this book Hartley, Kennard and their contributors explore the influences that help and hinder the setting up and running of staff support groups, and attempt to counter the often negative reactions that the term 'staff support' can evoke. They demonstrate that such support groups can be a sophisticated and valuable intervention that needs careful preparation and skilful management to succeed, and will in turn not only benefit the individual, but also the department as a whole and those that they care for.

Contributors share their experiences of facilitating support groups in a number of settings including:

• psychiatric wards
• therapeutic communities
• social services
• schools
• children's homes.

Containing a wealth of case material, Staff Support Groups in the Helping Professions will provide much-needed guidance for those professionals attending, managing, or in the process of setting up a staff support group.

Commended in the Mental Health category of the 2008 BMA Medical Book Competition. This book offers an insight into the experience of psychiatric in-patient care, from both a professional and a user perspective. The editors highlight the problems in creating therapeutic environments within settings which are often poorly resourced, crisis driven and risk aversive. The contributors argue that for change to occur there needs first of all to be a genuine appreciation of the experiences of those involved in the unpredictable, anxiety-arousing and sometimes threatening environment of the psychiatric ward. Each chapter comprises a personal account of in-patient care by those in the front line: people who have been admitted to a psychiatric ward; their relatives; or those that provide the care. These accounts are followed by two commentaries written from different perspectives, suggesting lessons that can be learnt to improve the quality of care. Experiences of Mental Health In-patient Care will be useful for all mental health professionals, including mental health nurses, psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, occupational therapists, arts therapists, social workers and trainees, as well as service users and carers organisations.

Commended in the Mental Health category of the 2008 BMA Medical Book Competition. This book offers an insight into the experience of psychiatric in-patient care, from both a professional and a user perspective. The editors highlight the problems in creating therapeutic environments within settings which are often poorly resourced, crisis driven and risk aversive. The contributors argue that for change to occur there needs first of all to be a genuine appreciation of the experiences of those involved in the unpredictable, anxiety-arousing and sometimes threatening environment of the psychiatric ward. Each chapter comprises a personal account of in-patient care by those in the front line: people who have been admitted to a psychiatric ward; their relatives; or those that provide the care. These accounts are followed by two commentaries written from different perspectives, suggesting lessons that can be learnt to improve the quality of care. Experiences of Mental Health In-patient Care will be useful for all mental health professionals, including mental health nurses, psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, occupational therapists, arts therapists, social workers and trainees, as well as service users and carers organisations.

At last, a book on therapy which is easy to read and jargon-free, yet manages to convey the richness of the group experience.' - Penelope Campling, British Journal of Psychiatry 'It is vitalising reading - and should be on the shelves of any psychotherapy department and of any therapist with an interest in groups.' - Chris Evans, British Journal of Medical Psychology 'The purpose of this short, highly readable and extremely informative book is "to provide the reader with a practical insight into the group-analytic method of group therapy". The book achieves this goal through a format that is interactive with the reader.' - Jerome S. Gans, International Journal of Group Psychotherapy A Workbook of Group-Analytic Interventions is designed to complement the academic and experiential training of therapists. Written by experienced practitioners, it gives trainees a practical insight into the ways in which group analysts may tackle difficult situations, allowing them to understand more fully the nature of intervention right from the beginning of their training. Eight situations drawn from real psychotherapy groups are presented in detail so that readers may exercise their own skills in taking decisions and judging appropriate interventions. Each situation is then analysed in depth by one of the authors, who describe and comment on the thinking behind the interventions suggested by a panel of group analysts. The book gives the trainee a wide and informed appreciation of different situations arising in groups and appropriate ways of handling them. It provides an excellent base from which to start to practise.

Charismatic David Kennard lives a life most people can only dream about. Farming on a spectacularly beautiful part of the Devon coast he has an almost telepathic bond with nature and with his working sheepdogs. His is a life filled with daily challenges, from the battles with wild Atlantic weather to the dramas of clifftop rescue, but it is also a life full of the richness of rebirth, and the Herriotesque delight in a way of life that has remained almost untouched by the modern world. Part diary, part homage to the countryside and the canine family that is so much a part of his life, David Kennard's extraordinary book is designed to touch the hearts and minds of city and country dwellers alike.

'There is no good flock without a good shepherd, and no good shepherd without good dogs.' These age-old words of wisdom have always guided Devon sheep farmer David Kennard. But as he battles to save his farm from extinction, they resonate more loudly - and unexpectedly - than ever. The storm clouds are already gathering when Borough Farm suffers a succession of potentially disastrous setbacks. Suddenly the Kennard family's idyllic life is under threat. Will David achieve the seemingly impossible and make a living through farming sheep in the 21st century? As he fights for survival, David knows he will be able to rely - as always - on his faithful sheepdogs but even he is surprised when the dogs prove to be Borough Farm's secret weapon...