Product Description

This timely book explores the interface between the Person-Centred Approach and radical political theory and activity. Specifically, it explores the contribution that a critical analysis of social and political factors can make to the practice of person-centred therapy, and to examine the contribution that person-centred theory and practice can make to the wider sphere of socio-political theory and activity. An international collection of chapters offers critical analysis of the PCA and difference and diversity; class; culture and racism; sexuality; power and feminism. Other contributions present a range of work involving social change as a necessary and sufficient condition for therapeutic personality growth; emotional literacy; sociotherapy; work with refugees and asylum seekers; peace groups; ecopolitics and spirituality. "Politicising the Person-Centred Approach" is primarily aimed at practitioners and, to some extent, students, of the person-centred approach who have an interest in political issues and concerns, but will also be of interest to service users, practitioners and theorists in the field of critical psychiatry and critical psychology, who may be interested in developing the theoretical foundations of their work and expanding their theoretical and practical horizons.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #428236 in Books
• Published on: 2006-05-16
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 328 pages

Review
Should we be changing the world, or changing ourselves? Arguments about the politics of therapy often revolve around this question, and so asks Clive Perrett, one of the contributors to this thoughtful and thought provoking book. It is a fruitful question, but a false antithesis, since the self is part of a world that can only be apprehended by the self. There are other thoughtful essays, by Gillian Proctor and Pete Sanders especially on the political functions of therpists: should we help people adjust to a mad world, or join them in questioning its madness? As we used to say in the 60's, there is a fault in reality, do not adjust your mind. But we can no longer pretend therapy is apolitical, and this reflective book explains why. --Brendon McMahon, Mental Health Today

For those who have never considered that politics and person-centred therapy have anything to do with each other, this book provides many answers, whilst leaving some things unanswered. For those actively involved in the political scene and wanting to know more, I see this book as essential. As therapists we challenge ourselves frequently through the diverse nature of our client work. This book provides a different type of challenge, to do with looking at our own political standpoint and the need for social change. The political issues at times left me uncomfortable, as I'm sure they will others. Yet, isn't that what therapy can be about - a feeling of being uncomfortable until a clearer picture emerges? --Harry Stoyles, Therapy Today

About the Author
Gillian Proctor is a Doctor in Clinical Psychology, currently working as part of the mental health therapy team for North Bradford Primary Care Trust and an honorary lecturer with the Centre for Citizenship and Community Mental Health at Bradford University, West Yorkshire, UK. Her particular interests are in ethics and power, and my exploration of power in therapy resulted in The Dynamics of Power in Counselling and Therapy: Ethics, politics and practice. Whilst the Person-Centred Approach helps her to concentrate on the uniqueness and potential for growth and creativity of each individual, feminism brings her focus to the commonalities within dominant and marginalised groups and the effects of socially constructed positions and limitiations on people. Mick Cooper is a Professor of Counselling at the University of Strathclyde and a UKCP-registered psychotherapist, whose work is informed by person-centred, existential, interpersonal and postmodern ideas. Mick has co-authored, with Dave Mearns, Working at Relational Depth in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Sage, 2005), is author of Existential Therapies (Sage, 2003) and has written several papers and chapters on person-centred, existential and self-pluralistic approaches to therapy. Mick lives in Glasgow with his partner and three daughters. Mick Cooper is a Professor of Counselling at the University of Strathclyde and a UKCP-registered psychotherapist, whose work is informed by person-centred, existential, interpersonal and postmodern ideas. Mick has co-authored, with Dave Mearns, Working at Relational Depth in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Sage, 2005), is author of Existential Therapies (Sage, 2003) and has written several papers and chapters on person-centred, existential and self-pluralistic approaches to therapy. Mick lives in Glasgow with his partner and three daughters. Mick Cooper is a Professor of Counselling at the University of Strathclyde and a UKCP-registered psychotherapist, whose work is informed by person-centred, existential, interpersonal and postmodern ideas. Mick has co-authored, with Dave Mearns, Working at Relational Depth in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Sage, 2005), is author of Existential Therapies (Sage, 2003) and has written several papers and chapters on person-centred, existential and self-pluralistic approaches to therapy. Mick lives in Glasgow with his partner and three daughters. Mick Cooper is a Professor of Counselling at the University of Strathclyde and a UKCP-registered psychotherapist, whose work is informed by person-centred, existential, interpersonal and postmodern ideas. Mick has co-authored, with Dave Mearns, 'Working at Relational Depth in Counselling and Psychotherapy' (Sage, 2005), is author of 'Existential Therapies' (Sage, 2003) and has written several papers and chapters on person-centred, existential and self-pluralistic approaches to therapy. Mick lives in Glasgow with his partner and three daughters. Pete Sanders completed his full-time diploma in counselling at the University of Aston in 1974. He worked as a counsellor, trainer and supervisor in further education and private practice for over 25 years. Pete was the lead tutor in three BACP recognised training courses and was instrumental in the Trainer Accreditation Scheme. He has written, edited and/or contributed to over a dozen books on counselling and psychotherapy, specialising in person-centred therapy.

Customer Reviews

save the earth and the human species
it is great book tracing the psychological and environmental damage caused by past and current political systems and presenting an agenda for social change. Prof. Mick Cooper of the strathclyde university, glasgow, scotland, presents an interesting paper with his personal experience mapping the political systems from Marx, Lenin to american indivudualism also showing the reasons for the failure of the activists in various environmental and political issues.
this is a must for all greens, reds, bules and even yellows -mahes punchihewa