Counseling Issues

Book excerpt: Here is a comprehensive handbook of twenty-two chapters covering all the major issues a counsellor or psychotherapist might meet in the counseling room. The book is very practical and is based on sound psychological principles. It provides a wealth of ideas for counseling and for structuring a series of counseling sessions. It is particularly accessible to the inexperienced counsellor or psychotherapist who is often looking for some guidance on a particular topic without having to read a whole book on the subject or read something more technical. The book covers basic emotional issues such as anger, shame, anxiety, stress, grief, depression, anxiety disorders, and suicide risk, and behavioural issues like addiction, phobias, and compulsive behaviours such as self-harm and obsessive compulsive disorder. There are also chapters on relationship issues such as divorce, abuse of various kinds, dysfunctional relationships, adoption, blended families, and strategies for couple counseling. There are two chapters on personality disorders. A biblical viewpoint is added at the end of each chapter for the Christian counsellor and pastor. There is an extensive list of about 500 references along with internet references throughout, providing a rich source for further reading. The chapters are mainly independent with minimum cross-referencing.