"An ideal companion for any therapy programme." Dr. Marcella Finnerty, IICP College President, Dublin, Ireland "This text really is a must-have for all involved in working with others; to empower and enable through a collaborative process." Prof Andrew Reeves, Professor in Counselling Professions and Mental Health, University of Chester and BACP Senior Accredited Counsellor/Psychotherapist, UK "For students of counselling and psychotherapy this is an invaluable resource that you will keep returning to during and beyond training." Nicola Blunden, Director of Studies, Person-Centred Pluralist Counselling, Metanoia Institute, UK "Essential reading for any student, trainee, or experienced professional in the field." Hanne Weie Oddli, PhD, Clinical psychologist and Associate professor at the Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway Counselling Skills: Theory, Research and Practice provides comprehensive coverage of all aspects of the development of interpersonal helping skills used by counsellors, psychotherapists, life coaches, mental health workers, and practitioners in allied fields of practice. Distinctive features of its approach to this topic include: * Attention to the cultural and historical aspects of counselling skills * Tailored support for evidence-based practice * Grounding in training models such as self-practice and deliberate practice This new edition contains a wide range of learning tasks and reflection points to enable readers to work individually or with learning partners to deepen self-awareness, theoretical understanding, and practical skills. Specific chapters focus on: * Theoretical frameworks for making sense of counselling skills * Listening, empathy and shared understanding * Nonverbal and embodied presence * Dealing with difficult situations in counselling This book is a must-have for students and trainees who are in the process of acquiring and developing counselling, psychotherapeutic and helping skills, as well as a staple resource for experienced practitioners wishing to review and consolidate their skills. Julia McLeod is Lecturer in Counselling at Abertay University, Dundee, UK. She has been a counselling trainer and tutor with students from many different backgrounds, as well as having extensive experience as a therapist and supervisor. John McLeod is Emeritus Professor of Counselling at Abertay University Dundee, and Visiting Professor at the Institute for Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy in Dublin, Ireland. A leading figure in the field of counselling and psychotherapy research, his recent work has focused on the development of a flexible, pluralistic approach to therapy.

“This book should be read by everyone working in a helping profession.� Laura Burns, Training Lead for Hostage and Crisis Negotiation (2017-2020) and Inspector, Police Scotland, UK “This is a superb book in every single respect: beautifully written, relevant, supportive and providing an accessible framework for all those in the helping professions to develop and enhance relationships with people.� Professor Andrew Reeves, Professor in Counselling Professions and Mental Health, University of Chester, UK “This is an excellent resource for anyone who requires an element of embedded counselling in a professional capacity.� Dr William N. Scott, Lecturer in Biomedicine, Atlantic Technological University, Ireland Embedded Counselling in the Helping Professions offers a practical framework for understanding how frontline human service practitioners can respond effectively to the emotional support needs of those around them, by incorporating counselling skills and knowledge into their everyday professional work.  Taking a broad, interdisciplinary perspective, McLeod and McLeod provide comprehensive coverage of key areas of practice that can lead to improved outcomes for service users, including: • Capitalising on how embedded counselling complements and builds on other interventions and forms of support • Developing skills and activities for facilitating helpful counselling episodes that enable clients to move forward in their lives • Using evidence from research studies to enhance practice • Designing caring services that promote positive practitioner values and attributes, and take account of organisational challenges and opportunities • Ongoing personal reflection, supervision and consultation to consolidate learning and awareness. As well as tackling critical reflections and enforcing ethical practice this new book helps human service practitioners to make sense of frequently occurring client issues including crisis, trauma, emotional pain, life transitions, bereavement and loss, and behaviour change. Embedded Counselling in the Helping Professions is essential reading for all students entering the human service field. It also acts as a valuable continuing professional development resource for qualified and experienced practitioners and for managers and policy-makers who are committed to creating caring and responsive organisations. Julia McLeod is Lecturer in Counselling at Abertay University, Dundee, UK. She has been a counselling trainer and tutor with students from many different backgrounds, as well as having extensive experience as a therapist and supervisor. John McLeod is Emeritus Professor of Counselling at Abertay University Dundee, UK and Visiting Professor at the Institute for Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy in Dublin, Ireland. A leading figure in the field of counselling and psychotherapy research, his recent work has focused on the development of a flexible, pluralistic approach to therapy.

This book provides a comprehensive, accessible and research-informed approach to personal development issues associated with the role of a counsellor, therapist or mental health practitioner. Written by leading authors in the field, the book is designed to help both trainees and experienced therapists to be more effective in their work with clients by: Deepening and consolidating their understanding of all aspects of personal and professional developmentMaking use of their personal strengths, resources and life experience Drawing on colleagues, mentors and the wider professional community as sources of learning, support and inspiration. The first part of the book explains the nature of the personal and professional development issues that are experienced by therapists. The second part provides a set of learning tasks that invite reflection on all aspects of therapist development."This engaging and accessible book reminds us that, like our clients, counsellors are works in progress. Through its 10 lively chapters, John McLeod and Julia McLeod take us on a compelling journey of self-discovery. En route, they invite us to press the pause button and reflect on our lives in all their messy complexity ... Although written primarily for trainee counsellors, there is much here for the experienced therapist, supervisor, group leader or counselling course trainer to admire and to learn from." Therapy Today, July 2014"John and Julia McLeod have written a superb text that not only presents a strong and coherent case for the importance of personal development for therapists, but also provides a range of activities to stimulate the reader's own reflective development process. A scholarly examination of the developmental path of the practitioner which is firmly grounded in research, this book is a rich personal development resource for students, practitioners and lecturers." Mark Widdowson, Lecturer in Counselling and Psychotherapy, University of Salford, UK"This is a great resource textbook for trainee practitioners, trainers, supervisors in counselling, psychotherapy and mental health - and for anyone interested in personal and professional development in the helping professions. The breadth and depth of John and Julia McLeod's encyclopaedic knowledge is evident in this book. Wise sages indeed, they offer 'voices of wisdom and reason' for those entering the helping professions. Their guidance will help still the inner angst that is an inevitable part of practitioner training and working as a helper. The book offers an excellent resource for counselling, psychotherapy and mental health trainers, with rich resources to inform student and tutor work. I highly recommend this valuable addition to the resource and knowledge base." Lynne Gabriel, Associate Professor, York St John University, UK"A fantastic book! This is a comprehensive, engaging and valuable resource that integrates theory and research in an accessible and relevant way. This book approaches a complex and often poorly articulated facet of professional training both practically and effectively. The personal learning tasks bring an added dimension to the book, inviting the reader on a journey of self-discovery and challenge.This book has relevance for a broad range of psychotherapeutic orientations and mental health roles and is an essential read for practitioners at all stages of their professional journey." Steff Revell, Lecturer, Counselling and Psychotherapy, University of Cumbria, UK"This book offers an invaluable resource for counselling trainers and students alike. It succinctly maps out the terrain of personal and professional development and the importance of these concepts for practice. As a counselling trainer, I found the exercises and learning tasks contained in the book an excellent source of ideas for encouraging student reflection. As a practitioner, it reminded me of the importance of attending to my own 'stuff', of the continuing process of learning to be more in touch with my flawed humanity such that I can be more available to my clients." Brian Rodgers, Lecturer in Counselling, The University of Queensland, Australia