Product Description

Although currently many people with dementia are not given the opportunity to receive professional counselling, this book explores the value of counselling for men and women living with this condition and how it enables them to make sense of their lives and their notions of themselves. The author explores the pervasive myth that all experiences of living with dementia are entirely negative and shows counsellors and carers how a person-centred counselling experience can have positive outcomes for those with dementia and the people who care for them.Based on the author's own experiences of counselling people with dementia, the book covers the fundamentals of the counselling process and precisely what a person-centred approach entails. The book then brings together several theories of counselling such as the role of the 'spiritual' in the counselling relationship; working with concepts of relational depth and configurations of Self; and the author's own theories of relating to a person's spiritual core. Accumulating findings from over 20 years of counselling experience in both the UK and the US, this book explores the importance of the Self and recognising each individual's worth and value. Dialogue from the author's counselling experiences is used to illustrate the person-centred counselling approach.Providing a comprehensive guide to person-centred counselling for people with dementia, this book gives an illuminating perspective on the subject and will be of value to counsellors, health and social care professionals, carers and families of people with dementia.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #166070 in Books
• Published on: 2009-01-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 122 pages

About the Author
Danuta Lipinska has worked with people with dementia in the community for many years and was Director of Nursing in a residential care home in the USA. Danuta has a BA in Psychology and MA in Counselling, both from the University of New Hampshire, USA and is an accredited member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, and the UKRC Association of Independent Practitioners. On her return to the UK she was appointed to a three year project to design and run counselling services for people with dementia and their carers. Danuta currently works with clients on a referral basis and as a training consultant in the area of mental health and older people, particularly those with dementia. She is a qualified nurse and has worked as a nurse in both the UK and the USA. She lives in Middlesex, UK.

Customer Reviews

Finding the way in a maze
On a subject like Dementia where it is so difficult to face for both family and client, Danuta has found a way through the maze to be able to reach the "person" within and this she does with such love and compassion, which according to the dictionary is "to feel the other persons pain" and this you certainly feel as you read the book. It is very easy to read for those who have experience in this field and also for the layman.
Its very evident by this book that we need to train more counsellors for this type of work.

It makes sense
Receiving a diagnosis of dementia is devastating and a life changing experience. How do you cope and make sense of it? Danuta Lipinska's book gives an inspiring insight into how some of those with dementia can be helped with counselling. The person centered model fits well in terms of theory and practice to reach those who may be losing their verbal skills and are struggling with memory loss. Lipinska describes how other methods of communication can be used so that it is possible to work at relational depth, giving the clients a safe space to experience how they feel and make sense of self. This book is a must for counsellors who want to offer dementia as a specialism. And for anybody who wishes to have genuine relationships with those who have dementia.