Product Description

`I looked forward to reading this book and was not disappointed. It reflects the best of the Gestalt approach - it is clear, challenging and refreshing. Emphasis is placed on the importance of a safe and supporting framework within which therapeutic work takes place, and this is reflected in the reader feeling a real connection with the authors.

The humanistic element of Gestalt comes through clearly in this book. Not only is this an important read for those training in Gestalt but it is equally important for trainees and established therapists in the humanistic and integrated field' - Counsellingbooks.com

`This book was put on our reading list for diploma students in humanistic counselling, and it has been snapped up by the students' - Bee Springwood, Self & Society

'Written in a clear and accessible style, this slim volume will be valued as a wise guide in attaining the necessary skills for a Gestalt flavoured clinical practice... It is in the reference material from Gestalt practitioners across the world that the authors provide a succinct integration of Gestalt theory and practice from these last fifty years. This is one of the understated but powerful aspects of the book... I recommend that all Gestalt practitioners get a copy of Skills in Gestalt Counselling & Psychotherapy for their professional library and make sure that it is mandatory reading for their students' - Dorothy E Siminovitch, A Gestalt Guide for the Journey of Skill Development

'An informative book, well worth the money, that will enrich the practice of any practitioner' - Stress News

Skills in Gestalt Counselling & Psychotherapy is a practical introduction to the different techniques used at each stage of the counselling process. The book takes the reader through the process from beginning to termination and focuses on skills which arise out of Gestalt theory as well as those invoked by the counselling relationship.

Accessibly written by experienced practitioners, the book gives clear guidelines on: establishing the relationship; assessment and goal-setting; developing the client's awareness; maintaining the relationship and bringing the counselling to an end.

The authors also examine the spiritual dimension of counselling and offer guidance on some of the special considerations affecting counsellors such as the context in which they are working, the duration of the relationship, and particular problems with which clients present. For all those training in Gestalt or who wish to sharpen their skills as practitioners, this will be essential reading.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #129832 in Books
• Published on: 2001-06-28
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 216 pages

Review
'Written in a clear and accessible style, this slim volume will be valued as a wise guide in attaining the necessary skills for a Gestalt flavoured clinical practice... It is in the reference material from Gestalt practitioners across the world that the authors provide a succint integration of Gestalt theory and practice from these last fifty years. This is one of the understated but powerful aspects of the book... I recommend that all Gestalt practitioners get a copy of Skills in Gestalt Counselling and Psychotherapy for their professional library and make sure that it is mandatory reading for their students' - Dorothy E Siminovitch, The Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, USA

'An informative book, well worth the money, that will enrich the practice of any practitioner' - Stress News

`This book was put on our reading list for diploma students in humanistic counselling, and it has been snapped up by the students' - Bee Springwood, Self & Society

Customer Reviews

A practical and very readable guide to Gestalt
A must have for any student of Gestalt Counselling and Psychotherapy. This book gives the practical tips, intervention suggestions and examples which will help you with clients at the different stages in the therapeutic relationship.

The book is well layed out with suggestion boxes and many real life examples. It covers a variety of topics, starting with Preparing for the journey (with the client), Awareness, Assessment and Diagnosis, Experimenting, Transference and Counter-transference, Body process and of course, Endings - to name only a few.

A nice change from some of the "heavier" Gestalt text books, this one is really very readable and has worked well for me as a quick reminder of the key areas in Gestalt and the issues/ "how to's" around them.

An Excellant Book
For a therapy that is, by it's creator's own admission, hard to conceptualise, the authors have done a pretty good job. They dealt with some quite 'paradoxical' points in Gestalt Therapy in plain English and got the point of them across quite brilliantly. Although the book is not meant to be an introduction, if you've read a even a little about Gestalt you will have no problem following it. It summarises the important principles succinctly and with clarity.

I would recommend it to anyone interested in Gestalt particularly to therapists who currently practice another method of therapy.