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Understanding Assessment in Counselling and Psychotherapy
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Understanding Assessment in Counselling and Psychotherapy



July 2011 | 152 pages | Learning Matters
This book offers students and trainees a thorough guide to clinical assessment. It covers different types of clinical assessment and explores the implications of the alternative views on clients' needs and treatment. It explores clinical assessment as an 'art and science' and brings the reader up to date with new requirements placed on therapists in both organisational and clinical practice based settings. In addition to outlining models for clinical assessment, it looks at the use of evidence-based practice in assessments. There are sections on doing assessments within organisations as well as from private practice.
 
Introduction
 
The Role of the Assessor in Private Practice
 
'Diagnosing' Problems
 
Treatment -Illuminating Shaded Areas?
 
Assessment in Organisations: An Overview
 
Conducting an Assessment
 
Assessment Skills
 
Appendix 1
 
References
 
Index

'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



a brilliant read

Miss Nicola Lord
department of health, preston collage
March 31, 2015

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.

Mr DIVINE CHARURA
PSYCHOLOGICAL THERAPIES, LEEDS METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
August 7, 2013

The Book has been used for students undertaking AMHP training.

Mr Robert Wu
Social Work Department, Birmingham City University
November 7, 2012

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..

Mrs Anne Smith
Counselling and Psychotherapy, Liverpool John Moores University
September 27, 2012

An excellent book very helpful when looking at the importance of assessments

Mrs Mary Sherrill
Health & Social Care, Tresham Institute
June 18, 2012

There are some grey areas within counselling and psychotherapy training regarding assessment and diagnosis. This book helps to 'fill the gap' in this area.

Dr Bill Naylor
Faculty of Development and Society, Sheffield Hallam University
March 29, 2012

excellent resource for an increasingly important skill in therapeutic practice

Ms Carol Hughes
Counselling, Swansea Metropolitan University
March 5, 2012

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.

George Brooks
Counselling (School of Education), Manchester University
January 31, 2012

Good basic book that students will quickly relate to.

Mr Bill Stanley
Counselling, Newman University College
January 31, 2012