Product Description

". . . a wonderfully readable overview of the developmental principles underlying psychodynamic counseling."--Jan Grant, Ph.D., senior lecturer, Edith Cowan University, Western Australia

A person's past is ever present, from infancy to old age, and it always affects the dynamics of therapy and the therapist-patient relationship. Written by one of the most-cited counseling authors in Europe, the bestselling The Presenting Past gives practicing therapists and students keen insight into the subject. The theories of Freud,Winnicott, Klein, and others are organized into three main categories: trust and attachment; authority and autonomy; and cooperation and competitiveness.

Lavishly illustrated and updated to give the most complete picture available on the subject, this edition of The Presenting Past gives more attention to therapy models such as attachment theory. Known for his straightforward and accessible writing style, Michael

Jacobs provides clinical examples of issues concerning the past as they are presented to clients in counseling and psychotherapy and coherently makes the connection between theory and practice.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15559 in Books
• Published on: 2005-12-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

About the Author
Michael Jacobs is Visiting Professor at The Institute of Health and Community Studies, Bournemouth University, and also works in independent practice in Swanage, Dorset; where he supervises counsellors, as well as seeing clients, writing and editing. He was formely Director of the Counselling and Psychotherapy programme at the University of Leicester. His books on psychodynamic counselling and therapy are used as key texts on many training courses – notably The Presenting Past (2nd edition) published by Open University Press, Psychodynamic Counselling in Action, 3rd edition (2004, Sage), Still Small Voice, 2nd edition (1993, SPCK). Other publications include The Therapist’s Use of Self, written with John Rowan (2002 – Open University Press), and Supervision – Questions and Answers for Counsellors and Therapists, co-written with Moira Walker (Whurr, 2003). Michael is a Fellow of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, and a psychodynamic and integrative psychotherapist registered with UKCP.

Customer Reviews

a wonderfully readable overview of psychodynamic counselling
This book is a wonderfully readable overview of the developmental principles underlying psychodynamic counselling. Theories of Freud, Klein, Winnicott, Kohut and others are organized into three broad developmental themes - dependency, autonomy and interdependence, and illuminated with rich clinical examples. Jacobs' lucid, lively style makes the connection between theory and practice clear and accessible. It is as if he is having an engaging conversation with the reader about how to use complex developmental theories to enhance clinical practice. This outstanding book will appeal to established clinicians as well as students training in counselling and sychotherapy.

demonstrates how the past is a living part of here & now.
Everyone who works with clients will welcome Michael Jacobs eminently readable and stimulating new book. Drawing on the works of Erikson, Winnicott, and other relational theorists, Jacobs articulates the three major development themes that weave their way through both counseling and psychotherapy. The author's case studies leap off the page, drawing the reader into the intricacies of the therapy relationship to demonstrate how the past becomes a living part of the here-and-now. A boon for beginning therapists as well as a refreshing source of new ideas for more experienced clinicians.

Essential for anyone interested in counselling skills.
This step by step introduction to counselling is essential for anyone commencing on the path to counselling or just wishing to improve their counselling and listening skills. Whether this is for professional or personal reasons, "The Presenting Past" is at a level that appeals to everyone.

Whilst reading The Presenting Past, you feel Jacobs is personally taking you by the hand and leading you one step at a time into the amazing world of counselling, making you analyse your own life on the way...

I particularly enjoyed the way the book encourages you to write notes and answer the tasks provided, although this appears daunting at first, it is well worth the effort.