Rehabilitation Counselling in Physical and Mental Health

'The style of writing, including individual stories, makes the text easy to read and accessible. As a result this book is suitable for both academic as well as non-academic readers.'

- Book Reviews

'An easily readable and informative text. This book should be well thumbed book in all occupational therapy departments, if only to provide us with a consistent reminder of the complex interplay between the physical, emotional and psychological aspects of living, which enable each individual to achieve the balanced state of being a well person.'

- British Journal of Occupational Therapy

'This is a very engaging book which presents the topic of counselling in health care in a readable and accessible way.[It] is a good resource for occupational therapists wishing to know more about counselling in healthcare settings. It is suitable for both students and qualified staff and is written in a style that encourages further reading. It is well referenced and relevant research is referred to throughout.'

British Journal of Occupational Therapy

'This is an excellent sequel to Counsellors in Health Settings. The honesty of the accounts is inspiring as the authors explore frankly the difficulties they and their clients face, rather than simply giving idealistic accounts of how counselling should work. It cannot fail to increase awareness about a wide range of health problems that people experience and the often hidden consequences.'

- Mental Health Magazine

'What I find most interesting about this book is that counselling is considered as part of the multidisciplinary team approach and thus is an interesting example of how counselling can work when offered in the rehabilitative or primary care setting to great advantage to both the client and rehab team. The book is easy to read and offers an experiential perspective rather than a theoretical one. However, the book does have a research perspective, and examples of narrative and postmodernist approach are used to complement the stories in the book without being overbearing.'

- Heathcare Counselling and Psychotherapy Journal

Individuals experiencing rehabilitation are subject to profound life adjustments, and the contributors to this book explore how the relationship between counsellor and client can be a source of support during that time. Describing pioneering initiatives in a range of rehabilitation settings the authors draw out the historical background and theoretical implications of their work and make recommendations for good practice.

Rehabilitation experiences in both physical and psychological health care are described, including those of survivors of strokes, problematic drug or alcohol users, people who have sustained hearing loss or head injury and those affected by chronic bowel disorder and multiple sclerosis. Contributors describe the innovative work they are undertaking in NHS rehabilitation settings such as a head injury unit and a post-operative rehabilitation counselling service. Other contributions include a chapter from the perspective of a counsellor within a voluntary organisation, the Bristol Area Stroke Foundation, and a chapter by a counsellor working with clients undergoing community rehabilitation. Several chapters are written from the client's perspective by authors who have themselves received counselling as part of their programme of rehabilitation.

This pioneering book introduces the reader to creative approaches to research and counselling including the use of poetry, groupwork and narrative ideas and will inform the work of counsellors, clients, health care workers and policy makers.