Bringing together leading scholars, scientists, and clinicians, this compelling volume explores how therapists can cultivate wisdom and compassion in themselves and their clients. Chapters describe how combining insights from ancient contemplative practices and modern research can enhance the treatment of anxiety, depression, trauma, substance abuse, suicidal behavior, couple conflict, and parenting stress. Seamlessly edited, the book features numerous practical exercises and rich clinical examples. It examines whether wisdom and compassion can be measured objectively, what they look like in the therapy relationship, their role in therapeutic change, and how to integrate them into treatment planning and goal setting. The book includes a foreword by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Bringing together leading scholars, scientists, and clinicians, this compelling volume explores how therapists can cultivate wisdom and compassion in themselves and their clients. Chapters describe how combining insights from ancient contemplative practices and modern research can enhance the treatment of anxiety, depression, trauma, substance abuse, suicidal behavior, couple conflict, and parenting stress. Seamlessly edited, the book features numerous practical exercises and rich clinical examples. It examines whether wisdom and compassion can be measured objectively, what they look like in the therapy relationship, their role in therapeutic change, and how to integrate them into treatment planning and goal setting. The book includes a foreword by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

In Practicing Psychotherapy in Constructed Reality: Ritual, Charisma, and Enhanced Client Outcomes, Stephen Bacon charts a radical and provocative new direction forward for psychotherapy. Based on the research finding that techniques have no inherent power, and the insights of constructionism, Bacon explores new ways of understanding therapeutic rituals, therapist charisma, and client-centered therapy. Special emphasis is given to an analysis of the work of master therapists, and all of the concepts are illustrated with numerous clinical examples. Finally, Bacon develops a geography of constructed reality which pragmatically supports deliberate practice and therapist mindfulness.

This sixth edition provides an essential introduction to the major theoretical approaches in counselling and psychotherapy today. Comprehensive and accessible, it now includes two brand new chapters on Mindfulness and Positive Therapy, as well as additional content on ethics, on new developments in each approach, including the latest research and updated references. Following a clearly-defined structure, each chapter describes the origin of the therapeutic approach, a biography of its originator, its theory and practice, discusses case material and further developments, and suggests further reading. Each chapter also contains review and personal questions. Richard Nelson-Jones′ authoritative and practical textbook is the ideal companion for students on introductory courses and those embarking on professional training.

As both a practicing psychotherapist and, Buddhist priest-teacher, Dr. Diane Shainberg uniquely integrates Buddhist spiritual wisdom with the practice of western psychological healing. She demonstrates how rather than searching for health through external solutions, one can look to his or her own internal potentials for healing and transformation. The author gives us specific practices for psychological Healing to happen and be sustained. “Chasing Elephants clearly describes how Dzogchen Buddhist practice can help in working with our psychological issues and in healing them through natural processes . . . how lo create an inner transformation with open-hearted awareness. The author’s personal, spiritual and clinical examples, make this an important contribution to therapy and spiritual work. I highly recommend this to-all those on the path of liberation. ” — Lama Surya-Das. Author of Awakening the Buddha Within, Awakening to the Sacred. “A wonderful book on how Buddhist teachings can inform the process of healing psychologically. Like a Zen Koan, Shainberg’s writings sparkle with wit and insight, pointing to the spaciousness found in the intimacy with this moment. I hope professionals and lay people alike will mine this rich resource.” — Pat Enkyo O’Hara, Sensei, Village Zendo. “This book will change not just psychotherapy as we know it now, but also the hopes and expectations of anyone who needs to heal. For it shows that love, spiritual practice, and self-discovery, are essentially the same path, coming together in the Now of Not-knowing.” — Roshi Bernie Glassman. Author of Instructions to the Cook, Bearing Witness. “Chasing Elephants reveals the source of love from which healing arises. This book is a perfect companion for our journey as individual, client, or therapist.” — Judith Sarah Schmidt, Ph.D., Co-founder, Center for Intentional Living. “A wise and moving book. Diane Shainberg distills a lifetime of experience to show us how the paths of psychotherapy, spiritual practice and daily life can be integrated into the one clear path of awakening. Therapist or client, spiritual student or curious beginner — read this book and learn how to heal!" — Kenneth Porter, M.D. Co-Director, Center for Spirituality and Psychotherapy, National Institute for the Psychotherapies

Research into the beneficial effect of developing compassion has advanced enormously in the last ten years, with the development of inner compassion being an important therapeutic focus and goal. This book explains how Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) – a process of developing compassion for the self and others to increase well-being and aid recovery – varies from other forms of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. Comprising 30 key points this book explores the founding principles of CFT and outlines the detailed aspects of compassion in the CFT approach. Divided into two parts – Theory and Compassion Practice – this concise book provides a clear guide to the distinctive characteristics of CFT. Compassion Focused Therapy will be a valuable source for students and professionals in training as well as practising therapists who want to learn more about the distinctive features of CFT.

Everybody wants to be happier and fulfil their potential, and for years many self-help books have claimed they know the answer. Only in the last two decades has Positive Psychology started to provide evidence-based ideas that have been scientifically shown to work. In this book psychotherapist, lecturer and life coach Tim LeBon shows you how you can use the tools of Positive Psychology to achieve your goals. You will discover how ideas from CBT, mindfulness and practical philosophy can produce a more balanced, wiser version of Positive Psychology. Learn how to: * flourish and be happier * maintain and sustain positive relationships * find more meaning in life and accomplish more * become wiser and more resilient * discover the real benefits that a genuine understanding of positive psychology can bring. "This book has a wealth of information and fascinating case studies which will take you on a fulfilling journey through the relatively new perspective of positive psychology. Tim LeBon does not leave you to fend alone but encourages us to take responsibility for ourselves through guided action plans, diagnostic tests and key ideas leading to newer and fresher outlooks. I would encourage anyone interested in positive psychology to soak this book up and take a step towards a better life." Ilona Boniwell, Associate Professor at Ecole Centrale Paris and author of Positive Psychology in a Nutshell

Compassion-Based Approaches in Loss and Grief introduces clinicians to a wide array of strategies and frameworks for engaging clients throughout the loss experience, particularly when those experiences have a protracted course. In the book, clinicians and researchers from around the world and from a variety of fields explore ways to cultivate compassion and how to implement compassion-based clinical practices specifically designed to address loss, grief, and bereavement. Students, scholars, and mental health and healthcare professionals will come away from this important book with a deepened understanding of compassion-based approaches and strategies for enhancing distress tolerance, maintaining focus, and identifying the clinical interventions best suited to clients’ needs.

The book professionalises counselling through the scientific application of appropriate knowledge and skills at various stages of the counselling process. With the aim of equipping readers with fundamental and advanced counselling skills, this book: Examines a range of key skills from various theories and models of counselling to enable students and professionals to understand the underlying techniques which need to be applied from the time the client approaches the counsellor until the conclusion of the counselling process Sheds light on the complex psychological state of clients to discuss training for a holistic assessment in terms of emotions, cognition, motivation, and behaviour Presents extensive materials that train the students in skills to provide emotional relief to the client, to help the client change from self- defeating negative thoughts to promising positive thinking, enhancing motivation and self- confidence to initiate action Integrates discussions on case studies, live as well as hypothetical examples, traditional and contemporary theories on counselling with the art of communication An invaluable guidebook on developing counselling skills, this volume will be of immense interest to students, researchers, teachers, professionals, and practitioners of psychology, behavioural sciences, mental health, counselling, and education.

This practical book has given tens of thousands of clinicians and students a comprehensive introduction to mindfulness and its clinical applications. The book describes the philosophical underpinnings of mindfulness and reviews the growing body of treatment studies and neuroscientific research. Leading practitioners and researchers present clear-cut procedures for implementing mindfulness techniques and teaching them to patients experiencing depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and other problems. Also addressed are ways that mindfulness practices can increase acceptance and empathy in the therapeutic relationship. User-friendly features include illustrative case examples and practice exercises. New to This Edition *Incorporates significant empirical advances--mindfulness has become one of the most-researched areas in psychotherapy.ÿ *Most chapters extensively revised or rewritten. *Chapters on practical ethics, trauma, and addictions. *Greater emphasis on the role of acceptance and compassion in mindfulness. See also Sitting Together: Essential Skills for Mindfulness-Based Psychotherapy, by Susan M. Pollak, Thomas Pedulla, and Ronald D. Siegel, a hands-on guide to incorporating mindfulness practices into psychotherapy.