Dave Mearns

I loved this book! Whilst dealing with a technical aspect of person-centered theory (examining Rogers' notion of presence and advocating the blending of the seperate 'core conditions' into an holistic therapist attitude), the presentation is immediate and personable, the chapter divisions building one upon the other, but discrete enough to facilitate individual referencing later on.

The core of the book for me are the two chapters of client-therapist transcripts, which clearly illustrate the show more concept in vivo. Comfortingly for the trainee counsellor I presently am, Mearns is not afraid to show where he gets it 'wrong'. When the therapeutic relationship is there, when client and counsellor have trust in each other, getting it 'wrong' isn't a catastrophe and, if acknowledged and worked with, can act to deepen the relationship (just as long as it's not too often wrong). Phew!

This is undoubtedly one of the books I will be returning to again and again. show less

A brilliant book, building upon and extending Rogerian theory while remaining true to Rogers's vision.

I found something of worth in all of the chapters, but particularly those introducing the concepts of configurations of self and of social mediation, together with Margaret Warner's 'guest chapter' regarding difficult process. Essential reading for those progressing/progressed beyond the initial stages of studying person-centred theory.

Counselling

Counselling