Understanding Assessment in Counselling and Psychotherapy
- Sofie Bager-Charleson - Metanoia Institute
- Biljana van Rijn - Metanoia Institute
'The book is laid out well - it is accessible and easy to use, there is a synopsis of each chapter early on in the book and a summary at the end of each chapter, along with suggested further reading. There are activities and reflection points to prompt the reader to think about their role as an assessment counsellor, the hopes and expectations of assessments and the various necessary factors to be mindful of - the therapeutic alliance, the business side of the counselling frame, the client's motivation and psychological mindedness, achieving the balance between listening and containment and assessing risk. The book is relevant to therapists from various theoretical orientations - psychodynamic, humanistic, CBT and existential - which provides further fuel for thought. It is aimed at counsellors working in organisations and private practice. Towards the end of the book, generously, there is an assessment form, which readers may find useful' -
Rafiya Hanid,
Counsellor, University of West London; Head of Student Counselling
This book does what it says on the cover! It is accessible, easy to ready and yet raises important and fundamental issues around assessment in counselling and psychotherapy. The focus on professional and ethical practice as well as consideration of context makes it a text worth having for all counsellors and psychotherapists interested in learning more, or enhancing their assessment skills.
The Book has been used for students undertaking AMHP training.
An important addition to the literature on assessment and the various issues and debates this raises within counselling and psychotherapy.
It is particularly useful for those about to begin their supervised practice placements and in the early stages of their practice helping them to identify, consider and grapple with ethical and contentious issues around client assessment..
An excellent book very helpful when looking at the importance of assessments
There are some grey areas within counselling and psychotherapy training regarding assessment and diagnosis. This book helps to 'fill the gap' in this area.
excellent resource for an increasingly important skill in therapeutic practice
I used this book as a guide in discussing the issues of assessment diagnosis and referral in counselling within a mental health framework and it was extremely useful to me and my students in facilitating and framing this discussion.
Good basic book that students will quickly relate to.