Colin Feltham

This book argues that despite the many real advantages that industrial modernity has yielded—including large gains in wealth, longevity, and (possibly) happiness—it has occurred together with the appearance of a variety of serious problems. Chief among these are probable losses in subjective existential purpose and increases in psychopathology. A highly original theory of the ultimate basis of these trends is advanced, which unites prior work in psychometrics and evolutionary science. This theory builds on the social epistasis amplification model to argue that genetic and epigenetic changes in modernizing and modernized populations, stemming from shifts in selective pressures related to industrialization, have lowered human fitness and wellness.

This book argues that despite the many real advantages that industrial modernity has yielded—including large gains in wealth, longevity, and (possibly) happiness—it has occurred together with the appearance of a variety of serious problems. Chief among these are probable losses in subjective existential purpose and increases in psychopathology. A highly original theory of the ultimate basis of these trends is advanced, which unites prior work in psychometrics and evolutionary science. This theory builds on the social epistasis amplification model to argue that genetic and epigenetic changes in modernizing and modernized populations, stemming from shifts in selective pressures related to industrialization, have lowered human fitness and wellness.

Depressive Realism argues that people with mild-to-moderate depression have a more accurate perception of reality than non-depressives. Depressive realism is a worldview of human existence that is essentially negative, and which challenges assumptions about the value of life and the institutions claiming to answer life’s problems. Drawing from central observations from various disciplines, this book argues that a radical honesty about human suffering might initiate wholly new ways of thinking, in everyday life and in clinical practice for mental health, as well as in academia.Divided into sections that reflect depressive realism as a worldview spanning all academic disciplines, chapters provide examples from psychology, psychotherapy, philosophy and more to suggest ways in which depressive realism can critique each discipline and academia overall. This book challenges the tacit hegemony of contemporary positive thinking, as well as the standard assumption in cognitive behavioural therapy that depressed individuals must have cognitive distortions. It also appeals to the utility of depressive realism for its insights, its pursuit of truth, as well its emphasis on the importance of learning from negativity and failure. Arguments against depressive realism are also explored.This book makes an important contribution to our understanding of depressive realism within an interdisciplinary context. It will be of key interest to academics, researchers and postgraduates in the fields of psychology, mental health, psychotherapy, history and philosophy. It will also be of great interest to psychologists, psychotherapists and counsellors.

Depressive Realism argues that people with mild-to-moderate depression have a more accurate perception of reality than non-depressives. Depressive realism is a worldview of human existence that is essentially negative, and which challenges assumptions about the value of life and the institutions claiming to answer life’s problems. Drawing from central observations from various disciplines, this book argues that a radical honesty about human suffering might initiate wholly new ways of thinking, in everyday life and in clinical practice for mental health, as well as in academia.Divided into sections that reflect depressive realism as a worldview spanning all academic disciplines, chapters provide examples from psychology, psychotherapy, philosophy and more to suggest ways in which depressive realism can critique each discipline and academia overall. This book challenges the tacit hegemony of contemporary positive thinking, as well as the standard assumption in cognitive behavioural therapy that depressed individuals must have cognitive distortions. It also appeals to the utility of depressive realism for its insights, its pursuit of truth, as well its emphasis on the importance of learning from negativity and failure. Arguments against depressive realism are also explored.This book makes an important contribution to our understanding of depressive realism within an interdisciplinary context. It will be of key interest to academics, researchers and postgraduates in the fields of psychology, mental health, psychotherapy, history and philosophy. It will also be of great interest to psychologists, psychotherapists and counsellors.

Failure, success's ugly sister, is inevitable - cognitively, biologically and morally. We all make mistakes, we all die, and we all get it wrong. A chain of flaws can be traced through all phenomena, natural and human. We see impending and actual failures in individual lives, in marriages, careers, in religion, education, psychotherapy, business, nations, and in entire civilizations. And there are chronic and imperceptible failures in everyday domains that most of the time we barely notice, often until it is too late. Colin Feltham expores what constitutes failure across a number of domains. He takes guidance from the work of such diverse philosophers and thinkers as Diogenes, Epictetus, Augustine, Schopenhauer, Kierkegaard, Heidegger, Sartre, Camus, Cioran and Ricoeur, while also drawing on the insights of artists and writers such as van Gogh, Arthur Miller, Philip Larkin, Samuel Beckett, Charles Bukowski and Philip Roth. Precursors and partial synonyms for failure can be seen in the concepts of hamartia, sin, fallenness, non-being, false consciousness and anthropathology. Philosophy can help us but is itself, in its reliance on language and logic, subject to inherent flaws and failures. It is the very pervasiveness yet common denial of failure which makes it a compelling topic that cries out for honest analysis. We live in a time when the cliche of failed Marxism may be segueing frighteningly (for some) into the failure of 'selfish capitalism', in a time of geopolitical uncertainty and failure to address the dire need for agreement and action on climate change. But many of us are also painfully aware of our own shortcomings, our own weakness of will and lack of authenticity. Trying to identify where the lines may be drawn between individual responsibility, social policy, and historical and biological dark forces is a key challenge in this fascinating book.

Failure, success's ugly sister, is inevitable - cognitively, biologically and morally. We all make mistakes, we all die, and we all get it wrong. A chain of flaws can be traced through all phenomena, natural and human. We see impending and actual failures in individual lives, in marriages, careers, in religion, education, psychotherapy, business, nations, and in entire civilizations. And there are chronic and imperceptible failures in everyday domains that most of the time we barely notice, often until it is too late. Colin Feltham expores what constitutes failure across a number of domains. He takes guidance from the work of such diverse philosophers and thinkers as Diogenes, Epictetus, Augustine, Schopenhauer, Kierkegaard, Heidegger, Sartre, Camus, Cioran and Ricoeur, while also drawing on the insights of artists and writers such as van Gogh, Arthur Miller, Philip Larkin, Samuel Beckett, Charles Bukowski and Philip Roth. Precursors and partial synonyms for failure can be seen in the concepts of hamartia, sin, fallenness, non-being, false consciousness and anthropathology. Philosophy can help us but is itself, in its reliance on language and logic, subject to inherent flaws and failures. It is the very pervasiveness yet common denial of failure which makes it a compelling topic that cries out for honest analysis. We live in a time when the cliche of failed Marxism may be segueing frighteningly (for some) into the failure of 'selfish capitalism', in a time of geopolitical uncertainty and failure to address the dire need for agreement and action on climate change. But many of us are also painfully aware of our own shortcomings, our own weakness of will and lack of authenticity. Trying to identify where the lines may be drawn between individual responsibility, social policy, and historical and biological dark forces is a key challenge in this fascinating book.

This innovative new textbook examines the critical debates around key topics in counselling and psychotherapy. In nine sections including Everyday Counselling Practice, Training and Curriculum Issues, and Counselling, Society and Culture, Colin Feltham explores 60 provocative questions central to counselling training and practice. Ranging from more mainstream subjects like unconditional positive regard, ethics and supervision to broader social or philosophical issues such as employment concerns and the debate on assisted suicide, entries include: - Why have we focused on core theoretical models? - What are the pros and cons of short-term, time-limited counselling? - What's wrong with CBT? - Where is research taking us? - Is statutory regulation a good and inevitable development? - Are there limits to personal change in counselling? Each section includes questions for reflection, case studies and student exercises. This comprehensive, student-friendly text is a useful resource for lecturers to stimulate seminar discussion, and for all trainees wishing to write essays or generally develop their critical thinking in counselling and psychotherapy.

This innovative new textbook examines the critical debates around key topics in counselling and psychotherapy. In nine sections including Everyday Counselling Practice, Training and Curriculum Issues, and Counselling, Society and Culture, Colin Feltham explores 60 provocative questions central to counselling training and practice. Ranging from more mainstream subjects like unconditional positive regard, ethics and supervision to broader social or philosophical issues such as employment concerns and the debate on assisted suicide, entries include: - Why have we focused on core theoretical models? - What are the pros and cons of short-term, time-limited counselling? - What's wrong with CBT? - Where is research taking us? - Is statutory regulation a good and inevitable development? - Are there limits to personal change in counselling? Each section includes questions for reflection, case studies and student exercises. This comprehensive, student-friendly text is a useful resource for lecturers to stimulate seminar discussion, and for all trainees wishing to write essays or generally develop their critical thinking in counselling and psychotherapy.

Praise for the previous edition:“…an excellent resource for all trainee and beginning counsellors irrespective of theoretical orientation. I regard it as a core text for Professional and Clinical Practice components of counsellor education and training courses.”Ian Horton, formerly Principal Lecturer, University of East LondonPraise for the current edition:"This book is a must. It informs the beginner and experienced counsellor howto undertake brief counselling, step by step, from orienting the client tocounselling, to termination of counselling."Professor Stephen Palmer, City University, London and Director for the Centre for Stress Management.Almost two thirds of counsellors and psychotherapists work with clients in up to twenty sessions each: this book reflects that reality and the challenges involved. The bestselling first edition of this book, by two of the UK's leading counsellor trainers and academics, was praised by trainers and tutors for its accessibility, comprehensiveness and practicality. It was also a leading contribution to the movement towards time-conscious counselling and to an understanding of the therapeutic alliance across time. The second edition has been thoroughly updated to include significant recent professional developments and new thinking in the counselling field. Additions include more detailed discussion of:Assessment ContractingVery brief counsellingClinical reasoningClients' modalitiesTechnical repertoireDepression and realismSupervision of brief counsellingIn the rapidly maturing profession of counselling, this book's sensitivity to time as a precious resource, clients' perceptions, evidence-based guidelines and integration of some of the best thinking from several counselling models make it an ideal core text for beginners and reflective practitioners. Thoughtful and busy practitioners in primary care, employee counselling, educational, voluntary and private practice settings will find many immediately helpful ideas and examples in this classic text.

This book provides concise definitions of more than 1000 terms used in the field of counselling. As well as covering theory and practice, the book also includes client concerns and problems which may be helped by counselling, issues of professional and ethical interest to practitioners and clients, and words used in everyday language which have a particular meaning in the counselling context.

`Excellent... [the book] explores the "provision of effective counselling with limited resources and under strict time pressures"... with some excellent writing on the nature of time and attitudes to time in counselling and psychotherapy... the evidence in favour [of short-term counselling] is put strongly. Colin Feltham favours it as an approach of choice for certain clients, which should co-exist with (rather than adversarially seek to oust and replace) longer-term therapy... he draws from a wide range of literature, while identifying those key ingredients, skills and strategies that he has found especially significant. He also discusses some of the different contexts in which this work operates... Many of the questions and issues he poses... will be picked up most productively in training and supervision sessions' - Counselling, The Journal of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy Time-limited counselling - that is, the provision of effective counselling with limited resources and under strict time pressures - is becoming increasingly important as the demand for counselling increases, and the management of waiting lists and costs becomes a crucial concern. In this clearly written book, which incorporates useful, illustrative examples, Colin Feltham outlines the specific practical and technical skills, strategies and knowledge counsellors must have in order to undertake time-limited counselling. Following an examination of the client's induction into counselling, he describes the most appropriate models for different clients and problems. Further chapters assess the management of time-limited counselling in different settings - including private practice - and look at research, training and supervision issues. Squarely addressing the objections to the use of, and real problems in, the practice of this short-term therapeutic paradigm, the author argues that time-limited counselling can be justified not only on economic grounds but also ethically, philosophically, clinically and with reference to consumer preferences. He also identifies the common factors in successful short-term work that span different theoretical orientations.

`Excellent... [the book] explores the "provision of effective counselling with limited resources and under strict time pressures"... with some excellent writing on the nature of time and attitudes to time in counselling and psychotherapy... the evidence in favour [of short-term counselling] is put strongly. Colin Feltham favours it as an approach of choice for certain clients, which should co-exist with (rather than adversarially seek to oust and replace) longer-term therapy... he draws from a wide range of literature, while identifying those key ingredients, skills and strategies that he has found especially significant. He also discusses some of the different contexts in which this work operates... Many of the questions and issues he poses... will be picked up most productively in training and supervision sessions' - Counselling, The Journal of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy Time-limited counselling - that is, the provision of effective counselling with limited resources and under strict time pressures - is becoming increasingly important as the demand for counselling increases, and the management of waiting lists and costs becomes a crucial concern. In this clearly written book, which incorporates useful, illustrative examples, Colin Feltham outlines the specific practical and technical skills, strategies and knowledge counsellors must have in order to undertake time-limited counselling. Following an examination of the client's induction into counselling, he describes the most appropriate models for different clients and problems. Further chapters assess the management of time-limited counselling in different settings - including private practice - and look at research, training and supervision issues. Squarely addressing the objections to the use of, and real problems in, the practice of this short-term therapeutic paradigm, the author argues that time-limited counselling can be justified not only on economic grounds but also ethically, philosophically, clinically and with reference to consumer preferences. He also identifies the common factors in successful short-term work that span different theoretical orientations.

`The text... flows comfortably and confidently, leading the reader by the hand through the problems associated with defining counselling, counselling's cousins to the emergence of contemporary counselling... and what a stimulating, enjoyable and challenging text it is. Having read the book I experienced the same sense of buoyant optimism with which I leave my supervision sessions... Unlike live supervision, the book will sit on my shelf and be available when I need the nurture. To other practitioners I would say "go on, treat yourself"... every word is relevant and necessary. I have enjoyed reading it, learned much from it and found little to disagree with' - Counselling, The Journal of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy For those seeking an honest appraisal of the activity and profession of counselling, the author of this rigorous examination of the talking therapies asks such key questions as: How has counselling evolved and why is it flourishing now in Western society? What are the limits on its applications? What social functions does it serve? Who benefits from it and who does not? What is its intellectual standing? Colin Feltham brings contemporary counselling into focus by comparisons with other modern and historical helping services, religious and philosophical analyses of the human condition, and the present socio-economic context. He also discusses the topical issue of professionalization, and examines the arguments concerning the alleged differences between counselling and psychotherapy. He demonstrates that it is extremely difficult to define counselling in a way which fairly, unambiguously and accurately places it beyond misunderstanding and which reasonably distinguishes it from other similar activities.

`The text... flows comfortably and confidently, leading the reader by the hand through the problems associated with defining counselling, counselling's cousins to the emergence of contemporary counselling... and what a stimulating, enjoyable and challenging text it is. Having read the book I experienced the same sense of buoyant optimism with which I leave my supervision sessions... Unlike live supervision, the book will sit on my shelf and be available when I need the nurture. To other practitioners I would say "go on, treat yourself"... every word is relevant and necessary. I have enjoyed reading it, learned much from it and found little to disagree with' - Counselling, The Journal of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy For those seeking an honest appraisal of the activity and profession of counselling, the author of this rigorous examination of the talking therapies asks such key questions as: How has counselling evolved and why is it flourishing now in Western society? What are the limits on its applications? What social functions does it serve? Who benefits from it and who does not? What is its intellectual standing? Colin Feltham brings contemporary counselling into focus by comparisons with other modern and historical helping services, religious and philosophical analyses of the human condition, and the present socio-economic context. He also discusses the topical issue of professionalization, and examines the arguments concerning the alleged differences between counselling and psychotherapy. He demonstrates that it is extremely difficult to define counselling in a way which fairly, unambiguously and accurately places it beyond misunderstanding and which reasonably distinguishes it from other similar activities.

When people decide they need help for personal or emotional problems, they are faced with a range of psychotherapy and counselling. This book guides readers through the maze of considerations in the choice of therapists and therapies. Based on research into consumers' views, experiences as well as case histories, this book presents helpful definitions and negotiating strategies which should prevent readers being financially exploited, abused or misled. Together the authors have written "Psychotherapy and its Discontents", "Brief Counselling", "Dictionary of Counselling" and "Developing Counsellor Supervision".

Seminars by Professor Windy Dryden. See the man live and in action. To find out more and to book your place go to www.cityminds.com ________________________________________ `The format is easy to access and stimulates reflection on practice' - International Review of Psychiatry This volume contains 30 useful hints and reminders to help both trainee and practising counsellors examine and improve key areas of their work. The book encourages counsellors to focus on areas that they may feel need special attention, covering topics such as the formation of an ethical and productive alliance, working with effective tasks and goals, identifying and addressing clients' obstacles to change, and developing professional knowledge and self-reflection.

Seminars by Professor Windy Dryden. See the man live and in action. To find out more and to book your place go to www.cityminds.com ________________________________________ `The format is easy to access and stimulates reflection on practice' - International Review of Psychiatry This volume contains 30 useful hints and reminders to help both trainee and practising counsellors examine and improve key areas of their work. The book encourages counsellors to focus on areas that they may feel need special attention, covering topics such as the formation of an ethical and productive alliance, working with effective tasks and goals, identifying and addressing clients' obstacles to change, and developing professional knowledge and self-reflection.

Seminars by Professor Windy Dryden. See the man live and in action. To find out more and to book your place go to www.cityminds.com ________________________________________ `It is a fairly well established clich[ac]e that while supervision is recognised as a crucial component of good practice in psychotherapy and counselling, there is correspondingly little written about it... [this book is] a good step in redressing the balance... It is a practical, didactic and generic view of how to do supervision... giving a fairly comprehensive account of 30 of the formal skills that all supervisors probably use whether consciously or not... The book discusses each of the skills, giving examples as well as practical suggestions as to how to approach difficult issues... directed principally at counsellors, it is a book to dip into when faced with a panic about a specific issue' - Therapeutic Communities Supervision is a professional and ethical necessity for all counsellors, providing them with consultative and supportive aid while protecting clients from potential abuse - yet relatively little has been written on the subject. This volume aims to redress that balance. Encouraging, yet sensitive to the difficult issues that frequently arise in supervision, the book contains practical suggestions, plus useful appendices, to help practising and trainee supervisors develop and enhance the skills they need to be successful in their work. The authors cover such key areas as creating a supervisory alliance, fostering the supervisory relationship, the use of tape-recording, highlighting supervisees' strengths and weaknesses, and protecting the client and counsellor.

Seminars by Professor Windy Dryden. See the man live and in action. To find out more and to book your place go to www.cityminds.com ________________________________________ `It is a fairly well established clich[ac]e that while supervision is recognised as a crucial component of good practice in psychotherapy and counselling, there is correspondingly little written about it... [this book is] a good step in redressing the balance... It is a practical, didactic and generic view of how to do supervision... giving a fairly comprehensive account of 30 of the formal skills that all supervisors probably use whether consciously or not... The book discusses each of the skills, giving examples as well as practical suggestions as to how to approach difficult issues... directed principally at counsellors, it is a book to dip into when faced with a panic about a specific issue' - Therapeutic Communities Supervision is a professional and ethical necessity for all counsellors, providing them with consultative and supportive aid while protecting clients from potential abuse - yet relatively little has been written on the subject. This volume aims to redress that balance. Encouraging, yet sensitive to the difficult issues that frequently arise in supervision, the book contains practical suggestions, plus useful appendices, to help practising and trainee supervisors develop and enhance the skills they need to be successful in their work. The authors cover such key areas as creating a supervisory alliance, fostering the supervisory relationship, the use of tape-recording, highlighting supervisees' strengths and weaknesses, and protecting the client and counsellor.