Leisure counselling is defined as the systematic exploitation of a client's past, existing or prospective hobbies, activities and interests for broad psychotherapeutic purposes. It functions as a powerful agent in the invigoration of a range of existing but inadequate coping skills, and can also act in an innovatory style when such key skills are…

Drawing on contemporary evidence in the counselling and psychotherapy research field, this paper argues that there is growing support for a relationship-orientated approach to therapeutic practice. The paper reviews findings from a range of meta-analytical and individual studies which provide strong evidence for the centrality of relational…

Drawing on literature from different psychotherapeutic traditions, the meaning of money is reviewed, and the psychological and practical issues which arise from the setting, changing, and payment of fees in counseling and psychotherapy are discussed. A person-centered approach is offered as a framework for the counselor's understanding of fees in…

Interviews 19 Quaker counselors or psychotherapists to explore the impact their spiritual beliefs have on their work. Their faith impacted their work in several ways: it helped them understand their clients' spiritual journey, underpinned their work, and gave them inspiration and spiritual preparation before sessions. For a minority of respondents…

Reproduces the transcript of one of Carl Rogers' filmed therapeutic sessions with Miss Mun, followed by an empirical and clinical-qualitative analysis. Five task oriented processes are examined in detail: the evocative impact of reflections of feeling; empathic affirmation as a marker of intense vulnerability; focusing reflections; working with…

An important development within counseling and psychotherapy has been the emergence of narrative perspectives in theory and practice. Counselors are viewed as responsible for helping clients "re-author" parts of their life-story. Discusses the origins of this approach within psychology and social science. Identifies the central elements…

Outlines a model of the development of therapists' theoretical orientation and clinical practice, based on the integration of data from 161 Portuguese therapists with the extant literature. Indicates that therapists from different persuasions appear to emphasize different variables. Indicates clinical experience plays a central role, and…

Discusses and demonstrates that person-centered practice and theory are psychodynamic in a general psychoanalytic sense because they refer to unconscious processes. Proposes that person-centered practice could be enriched by reconsidering the differences from and similarities with psychodynamic therapy. (Author/GCP)

Makes an argument for the value of addressing, understanding, and learning from critiques of psychotherapy and counseling. Offers framework for viewing disparate critiques. Suggests that valid criticism can be welcomed as a spur to fresh thought. States that practitioners must be proactive in examining their profession if the field is to remain…

Considers five factors as to why research on the therapeutic process has little impact on the counseling profession. These factors are (1) reliance on experiential/personal knowledge; (2) reliance on non-axiomatic truths; (3) lack of theoretical rigor; (4) tendency to work within a theory and defend it; and (5) personalization of theory. Results…

Defines and gives historical background concerning the process-experiential approach to counseling. Describes a model for training counselors in this approach and discusses the difficulties that need to be dealt with during training, along with the merits of this model for counselor education. (MKA)

Draws parallels between the rush to professionalization and the process of psychoanalysis in the United States in earlier decades. Offers account of what is happening in terms of the sociology of the counseling profession and suggests that expert systems are being substituted for local knowledge. Considers and rejects argument that this process is…

Examines anti-objectivist arguments made by constructivists using their therapeutic approach. Concludes that none of the arguments are cogent. Considers whether acceptance of a constructivist, non-objectivist epistemology is likely to affect constructivists' therapeutic practice. (Author/JDM)

This paper documents one of several themes arising from a larger research study which invited trainees' views on their experience in a weekly, 2 year, dance movement therapy (DMT) personal development group. This group formed part of their post-graduate training. The study used a phenomenological, grounded theory and collaborative methodology…

Considers criticisms made in the previous article including the failure to define "applied science," inaccuracy in reporting study results, incorrect use of terminology, and ignoring certain relevant areas of literature. Explores possible motivations for the attacks. (RB)