In search of moral fibre 3

This book is aimed at practitioners such as teachers, doctors, community workers, nurses and social workers whose counselling role is embedded within other work functions, as well as counselling students. It outlines the abilities needed for counselling others, such as "listening carefully, self-awareness, instillation of hope, being reliable and trustworthy, a capacity to engage with emotion" and suggests how these skills may be used to help others to help themselves. Each chapter has examples and evidence from research studies.

This is a well-written and very informative book on counselling, particularly about, as the author describes in the opening sentence, "doing counselling". It is a great recipe-type book for prospective counsellors and even for experienced ones on preparing a counselling relationship, building a relationship with a client, resolving difficult feelings, emotions and so on. It is a must read for anybody considering counselling as a profession.

Who is it for? Practitioners such as teachers, doctors, community workers, nurses and social workers, whose counselling role is embedded in other work functions.

Presentation: A well-structured book, full of useful information.

Would you recommend it? I would strongly recommend this book to prospective counsellors or managers of counselling provision.

Cary L. Cooper is professor of organisational psychology and health, Lancaster University, president of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, and co-editor of Inspiring Leaders and How to Deal with Stress .