The Handbook of Person-Centred Psychotherapy and Counselling

Mon, 2 Apr 2018 20:31:24 GMT

The Handbook of Person-Centred Psychotherapy and Counselling

Book being reviewed:
Cooper, M., O'Hara, M., Schmid, P. F., & Wyatt, G. (Eds.). (2007). The handbook of person-centred psychotherapy and counselling. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

Reviewer:
Lauren Chase

Curricular Areas:
Helping Relationships/Counseling Theory

Subject Headings:
Heath/Wellness, Relationships

Review:
Person-centered theory was created by Carl Rogers in the 1930’s and has become one of the most empirically supported theories of counseling. This theory is so powerful it switched the older point of view of the medical model of treating patients to the modern view of the wellness model of building relationships with clients. The Handbook of Person-Centred Psychotherapy and Counselling is a comprehensive guide to person-centered theory. The book covered the theoretical, historical, and philosophical foundations of this theory. The authors then touched on the use of person-centered theory in practice going in depth into the core conditions of person-centered theory, which are the relationship, psychological contact, client incongruence, counselor congruence, unconditional positive regard, empathy, and client perception. The handbook then discussed how person-centered theory can be used across cultures, with couples, in families, in crisis interventions, and even be applied beyond the therapeutic context.

Counselor educators, counseling students, and practicing counselors alike can appreciate this book and the organized and simple way it breaks down the theory. A theories class in a counseling training program can only teach so much. This book is especially helpful for counselors-in-training who are questioning their theory of choice and wondering if person-centered theory fits their worldview. It would be a great read for a practicum or internship class when counselors-in-training are first seeing clients. This book is a good foundation to build upon a strong theoretical foundation in person-centered theory. The handbook breaks down using person-centered theory with different populations and situations so clinicians can focus on their target population. The book touched on diversity, couples and families, and crisis interventions so it can be applicable to more than the clinician who only sees individual clients.