"It is impossible to do justice to such an exhaustive, broadbased and very readable work in a short review. Professor McLeod has been meticulous, and with true scientific impartiality has looked at, studied and described the many strands and different schools of thought and methods that can lead towards successful counselling."
- Therapy Weekly

"This is a fascinating, informative, comprehensive and very readable book...McLeod has produced a text that offers a great deal no matter what your level of competence or knowledge."
- Journal of Interprofessional Care

"...one of the book's strengths is McLeod's willingness to go beyond a history of the development of counselling or a beginner's technical manual...{and to} consider the political dimensions of counselling and the relevance of power to counselling relationships. A worthwhile acquisition for therapeutic community members, whatever their discipline or background."
- Therapeutic Communities

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Product Description

Reviews of the second edition:

"It is impossible to do justice to such an exhaustive, broadbased and very readable work in a short review. Professor McLeod has been meticulous, and with true scientific impartiality has looked at, studied and described the many strands and different schools of thought and methods that can lead towards successful counselling."
Therapy Weekly

"This is a fascinating, informative, comprehensive and very readable book...McLeod has produced a text that offers a great deal no matter what your level of competence or knowledge."
Journal of Interprofessional Care

"...one of the book's strengths is McLeod's willingness to go beyond a history of the development of counselling or a beginner's technical manual...{and to} consider the political dimensions of counselling and the relevance of power to counselling relationships. A worthwhile acquisition for therapeutic community members, whatever their discipline or background."
Therapeutic Communities

This thoroughly revised and expanded version of the bestselling text, An Introduction to Counselling, provides a comprehensive introduction to the theory and practice of counselling and therapy. It is written in a clear, accessible style, covers all the core approaches to counselling, and takes a critical, questioning approach to issues of professional practise. Placing each counselling approach in its social and historical context, the book also introduces a wide range of contemporary approaches, including narrative therapy, systemic, feminist and multicultural.

This third edition includes a new chapter on the important emerging approach of philosophical counselling, and a chapter on the counselling relationship, as well as expanded coverage of attachment theory, counselling on the internet, and solution-focused therapy. The text has been updated throughout, with additional illustrative vignettes and case studies.

Current, comprehensive and readable, with exhaustive references, An Introduction to Counselling is a classic introduction to its subject.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #73595 in Books
• Published on: 2003-02-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 640 pages

Review
"If you are considering a career in counseling or using counseling, or would like to know about contemporary debates within the profession then this book is ideal. ...an excellent and up-to-date coverage of post modern and critical trends." - Emma Jacobs (Journal of Critical Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy )

About the Author
John McLeod is Professor of Counselling at the University of Abertay Dundee, having previously taught at Keele University and Wolverhampton University. He has practised in a range of counselling settings, as well as being involved in training, research and consultancy with many occupational groups, including nurses, social workers and emergency services personnel. The author of six books and more than fifty articles and chapters on various aspects of counselling and psychotherapy, he is currently editor of Counselling and Psychotherapy Research.

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Customer Reviews

Fantastic - my 'bible'!
Through my years of study at Certificate and then Diploma level in counselling, this book was my steadfast companion - even though it was not on the college's reading list! A thorough, easy-to-read, and enjoyable book which gently guides you through the various theories and theorists. I recommend it to those studying in this field.

Excellent resource for the beginner
Starting out I wanted an easy to read, theoretical, yet pragmatic introduction to counselling. McLeod's book was it. It wasn't a recommended book, but it provided me with a professional insight into the concepts taught on my course in easy to understand, and interesting language. The set questions at the end of each chapter were most welcome, and supplemented the course content brilliantly.

It is a hefty tome, but definitely well worth the outlay for the student counsellor and the interested researcher alike. As a complete beginner, I needed something clear, something that would provide a basic understanding of the approaches and issues involved in counselling. I couldn't have picked a better companion.

Highly recommended, covers all bases, a 'must read'.
Anyone with an interest in Counselling needs this book on their shelf and to dip into it regularly.McLeod has produced a book that is written in a warm friendly style,it demonstrates a great deal of good sense. It goes much further than the title would suggest. All the major theories are explainly clearly and I particularly liked his case studies in boxes.This book invites the reader to actively consider the issues rather than passively accepting the authors opinion, it never preaches. I have found that it complements the excellent Gerald Corey's 'Theory and Practice of Counseling And Psychotherapy',giving a perspective from this side of the Atlantic that is refreshing and welcome.Beg,borrow or steal (or preferably buy) this book,it's worth it's weight in gold.