Spiritual Issues in Therapy: Relating Experience to Practice - Softcover

West, William N.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0333990412 ISBN 13: 9780333990414

Publisher: Palgrave, 2004

Synopsis

Issues of spirituality are gaining increasing prominence within the therapeutic professions. Written by a leading figure in this emerging domain, this book provides a unique and creative focus for therapists wishing to consider how spirituality may inform or shape their own practice. William West innovatively draws together narratives from personal experience (both his own and that of other leading figures in the world of therapy), research and practice to address such vital questions as "how can the therapeutic encounter be a safe place for spirituality to be considered" and "how can the spiritual life of the therapist be engaged in their work?" Students and practitioners will find this book both thought-provoking and inspiring, but ultimately highly practical and as such an essential practice companion.

About this title

About the Author

WILLIAM WEST is a Senior Lecturer in Counselling Studies and Director of Counselling Courses at the University of Manchester. He is a Fellow of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and has written extensively on therapy and spirituality, qualitative research, supervision, humanistic therapy and culture.

From the Back Cover

The important and engaging book encourages counsellors, psychotherapists, pastoral care workers and others involved in the helping professions to consider the significance of spirituality and spiritual experiences both for their clients and for the practice of therapy.

Drawing on the author's wide experience of researching, teaching and practicing therapy and spirituality within therapeutic, healing, religious and educational settings, it addresses:
- the challenge of being present to our clients' spirituality and spiritual issues
- making sense of psychospiritual therapeutic practice
- cross-cultural work including learning from traditional healing
- how to research therapy and spirituality
- the implications of this emerging way of working with clients which the author refers to as 'soul attending'

Students and practitioners will find this book both thought-provoking and inspiring, but ultimately highly practical and as such an essential practice companion.

Edition details

• Publisher: Palgrave
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0333990412
• ISBN 13: 9780333990414
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 188