Psychodynamic Counselling in a Nutshell (Paperback)

Susan Howard… has struck an easy balance here between theory and practice. She neatly illustrates key concepts such as transference, counter transference, making interpretations and so on, with succinct case examples. [The] 'mysteries' of psychodynamic counselling are unpacked with a clarity that has been lacking from many texts in this field. All [topics] are covered without jargon or oversimplification. Indeed, this is probably one of the clearest and therefore most informative texts I have read on the subject' - The Psychologist

`This is a more than useful little book. The pitch and voice are unpretentious; content, quality of information and degree of educative material, balanced, interesting. Addressed to a reader with no information or experience of the psychodynamic approach, Howard begins with a clinical example and from this goes on to elucidate key concepts, the history of psychodynamic ideas and ways in which they work in practice. She takes the reader into the consulting room on their first visit, desciribing therapeutic formality and neutrality in accessible language, and, in so doing, offers the reader something to hang on to as they begin their individual approach to the unconscious' - Journal of Analytical Psychology

`Size-wise, these books span an open palm and have a very handy flap on the back and front as an integral feature of the cover which can be used as a bookmark. They are concise, yet thorough, providing introductions to the key elements of the theory and practice underpinning major therapeutic approaches… [An] ideal 'intro'… I would recommend these books because, 'in a nutshell', they work' - Therapy Today

Psychodynamic Counselling in a Nutshell explains in clear, jargon-free style, the concepts at the heart of the psychodynamic approach and, drawing on case material, describes the therapeutic practice which rests on those ideas.

Assuming no previous knowledge of the subject, the book introduces:

o the history of the approach;

o key concepts; and

o practical techniques used by practitioners.

In the first chapter the author introduces a client, John, whose case is revisited throughout the book connecting together theory and practice for the reader. For anyone reading about the psychodynamic approach for the first time, Psychodynamic Counselling in a Nutshell is the ideal place to start.

Susan Howard is Senior Clinical Tutor at the University of Surrey. She is also Consultant Clinical Psychologist with South West London St Georges Primary Care Trust, and a psychoanalytic psychotherapist in private practice.