Gestalt Counselling in Action

by Petruska Clarkson, Simon Cavicchia

Overview

Now 24 years old with over 40,000 copies sold worldwide, Petruska Clarkson's classic textbook offers the definitive introduction to the theory and practice of Gestalt. This fourth edition brings in the latest Gestalt theory, research and practice whilst preserving the author's lively and authoritative style.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781446211281
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	11/06/2013
Series:	Counselling in Action series
Edition description:	Fourth Edition
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.10(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Petruska Clarkson was a professor and fellow of the British Association for Counselling and Fellow of the British Psychological Society. A Consultant Psychologist, Psychotherapist Supervisor and Management Consultant, she worked and taught at universities and private institutions internationally. Petruska sadly passed away in 2006.

Simon Cavicchia divides his time between teaching, working as a psychotherapist and supervisor and as an executive coach and consultant to leadership teams in public and private sector organisations. He has held teaching roles at Metanoia Institute where he was primary tutor on the Gestalt psychotherapy programme and Joint Programme Leader for the Masters in Coaching Psychology. He is currently a member of faculty on the Masters in Executive coaching at Ashridge Hult Business School, UK. He has published a number of papers on relational coaching, and co-authored The Theory and Practice of Relational Coaching - Complexity, Paradox and Integration (Routledge, 2018) with Maria Gilbert. In all his work Simon is interested in exploring the centrality of human relationships in how individuals experience themselves, think and behave together. He is particularly interested in the role shame plays in inhibiting human connection and collaboration and how to reduce shame in order to create conditions for creative and meaningful relationships.

Table of Contents

Introduction to Gestalt
Fundamentals of the Gestalt Approach to Counselling
The Healthy Cycle and Its Application to the Counselling Process
Dysfunctions and Disturbances in the Cycle
Sensation and the Necessary Preconditions For Counselling
Awareness and the Initial Phases of the Counselling Process
Mobilisation and the Post-preliminary Phases of the Counselling Process
Action and the Middle Phases of the Counselling Process
Final Contact and the Later Phases of the Counselling Process
Satisfaction and the Penultimate Phases of the Counselling Process
Withdrawal and the Final Phases of the Counselling Process
Responsibility and Freedom in Counselling

Editorial Reviews

This popular and well written book which is now in its 4^th edition, provides an accessible and thorough introduction to the Gestalt approach. At the time she wrote this book, Petruska Clarkson brought an extensive experience both as a practitioner and trainer/supervisor to outline the theoretical and philosophical basis of Gestalt therapy. She provides an interesting framework using the cycle of awareness to explore ‘healthy’ and ‘dysfunctional’ functioning of the individual in relation to our environment. The book also outlines the developmental stages of the therapy process and provides a nice balance of theory and practice. I would recommend this as essential reading to anyone with an interest in Gestalt therapy.

Danny Porter

An introduction to theory and practice for trainees and practitioners that has been reprinted at least once every year since it was published in 1989. London psychologist and psychotherapist Clarkson outlines the theoretical and philosophical basis of Gestalt therapy, and follows the developmental stages of the counselling process, providing extensive examples for specific techniques appropriate to each stage and to different clients. The second edition takes account of recent developments in theory and practice. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

‘The book, like others in the series, follows the temporal sequence of clinical practice following an introduction to the fundermentals of the Gestalt approach' - The Journal of Critical Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy

‘The reader looking for a clear and comprehensive introduction to Gestalt counselling need look no further. This work can be recommended wholeheartedly' - British Gestalt Journal

From the Publisher