This book presents accounts of the practice of the person-centred approach (PCA) with people suffering from a range of severe and enduring conditions. Comprehensively refuting the notion that person-centred therapy is suitable only for the 'worried well', it backs up contemporary practice with appropriate theory. For students, academic and professional audiences. Contributions include: Person-centred therapy with post-traumatic stress (Stephen Joseph and David Murphy); Tenuous contact - Person-centred therapy with adolescent process (Peter Pearce and Ros Sewell); Pre-Therapy with psychotic clients (Dion van Werde); Refutation of myths of inappropriateness of person-centered therapy at the difficult edge (Lisbeth Sommerbeck); Difficult processes (Margaret Warner) and several other chapters from leading theorists and practitioners.

Why do not more client-centred therapists work in psychiatric settings? Whatever the answer, this book is a solid attempt to pave the way for a greater involvement. Lisbeth Sommerbeck brings over 25 years' experience of working as a client-centred therapist in psychiatric contexts to her explanation of the psychiatric system and how to forge a working relationship with other staff. This is a positive bridge-building book, aiming to bring together two helping cultures that otherwise might see each other as hostile. With diploma and masters students in sight it should both widen placement possibilities, and encourage therapists to work in multi-disciplinary teams with confidence.

There are many reasons why the practice of person-centred therapy can become difficult. An issue that is frequently brought to supervision is when the therapist's limits are challenged. It is therefore surprising that there is very little in the client-centred literature about therapist limits in counselling and psychotherapy with adult clients. This provides the rationale for this book as it attempts to redress that omission, offers a review of the existing literature and provides a starting point for discussion.Lisbeth Sommerbeck writes from her many years' experience as a psychotherapist working in the Danish psychiatric care system with clients with severe and enduring mental health problems. Many therapists fear that this client group will challenge their limits and Sommerbeck provides a straightforward appreciation of the problems and offers solutions.