Description
Book SynopsisWhat is it like to live with a chronic illness? How can counselors support those living with one? Allan Hugh Cole Jr. offers answers to these two questions and so many more in Counseling Persons with Parkinson''s Disease. In ten succinct chapters, Cole offers a glimpse into life with Parkinson''s and presents an insightful approach to counseling someone living with a chronic illness. Cole was diagnosed with Parkinson''s Disease in 2016, and--though it hardly happened overnight--he has since discovered a new passion and drive for life. A teacher of social workers and counselors for many years, Cole has unique insight into chronic illness and the care required to help someone diagnosed with one. He delves into the importance of accepting a chronic illness and how this can create an opportunity for personal transformation, newfound meaning, and rejuvenated purpose. In addition to emphasizing the importance of self-reflection, he also offers evidence-based approaches to counseling. Cole''s approaches to counseling draw on task-centered social work practice. Throughout the book, he engages with five purposeful actions tied to principles of constructivism, Aristotelian thought, American pragmatism, and theories of interpretation (hermeneutics). At once informative, realistic, humorous, and hopeful, this is a thoughtful guide for clinicians who give counsel, educators who teach counseling, people supporting someone else, and anyone living with a chronic illness.
Trade ReviewThis book provides a thoughtful balance between personal narrative and clinical guidance on how to help someone through the losses associated with Parkinson's disease. * T. A. Babb, CHOICE *
This book provides a comprehensive introduction to Parkinson's disease (PD) and is a detailed manual for Loss-Based Counseling (LBC) for working with persons with Parkinson's disease (PwP). [It] also includes powerful, inspiring, and extremely informative first-person accounts of Dr. Cole's personal journey following his diagnosis of young-onset (i.e., <50 years of age) PD in late 2016. The book alternates between chapters that provide these personal accounts and chapters that provide the foundations and details of LBC. Dr. Cole's unique, dual perspectives as a social work educator and as a PwP make this book exceptionally well-suited for preparing social work professionals to assist people with PD or other chronic and progressive illness as they cope with a series of life-altering losses. * Namkee G. Choi, Steve Hicks School of Social Work University of Texas at Austin, Journal of Gerontological Social Work *
In this unique and enlightening book, Professor Allan Cole tells his story of life with young-onset Parkinson's disease while guiding counselors on how best to understand, support, and empower persons living with this illness. His adept knowledge of both Parkinson's and counseling approaches, paired with his honesty, vulnerability, strength, and hope, models work in the health humanities at its best. I highly recommend this book to physicians, counselors, persons living with Parkinson's, and to those who offer them support and care. * Bastiaan R. Bloem, M.D., Ph.D., Medical Director, Department of Neurology at Radbound University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands *
Inspired by decades of existential searching and emotional learning, Allan Cole turns inward as he reflects on the meaning of a new diagnosis for him, Parkinson's disease, and what it might mean for others as well. This book is as personal as it is informative. More than a pathography, readers will learn the latest information on this disease as well as effective strategies for counseling people with it. It is insightful, heart-breaking, authentic, and hopeful. * Nathan Carlin, Ph.D, Samuel Karff Chair and Professor at McGovern Medical School in Houston, Texas *
Dr. Allan Cole has written a poignant first-person account of living with Parkinson's full of intimacy and insight. His personal story and professional wisdom as a social worker combine to offer the reader an unprecedented guide through the life of a person with Parkinson's (PwP). This book should be essential reading for all counselors and caregivers wishing to support PwP. The personal narrative is inspirational and pulls you directly into the lived experience of a young man facing a new diagnosis and trying to create meaning for himself and his family. Cole then introduces us to a new short-term counseling approach, which is both evidence-based and deeply personal. This book is hard to put down, beautifully written and full of vulnerability, humor, and wisdom. I will be recommending this book to all of my staff and students. * Barbara L. Jones, PhD, MSW, FNAP, Chair, Department of Health Social Work, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin *
A distinct, practical, and philosophically sound approach to counseling those with Parkinson's disease. As a seasoned teacher of counselors who also lives with Parkinson's, Allan Cole knows firsthand of what he writes. Equal parts memoir and professional resource, his authenticity is refreshing; his insights, profound; his writing, elegant. An important book for clinicians who provide counsel and for educators who teach counseling. * Harold G. Koenig, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry at Duke University School of Medicine *
Parkinson's disease is the fastest growing neurological illness in the world. This thoughtfully written, must-read book effectively provides a framework for those that may be in a position to counsel people impacted by living with Parkinson's or any chronic, progressive illness. Allan Cole is able to personalize the theory being taught in a way that is extremely engaging, touching, and relevant. By sharing his personal experiences in such an honest, candid way, he gives all of us insights into the lived experience and emotional toll this disease takes, as well as the perseverance and the hope we need for the future. * Soania Mathur, M.D., Co-Chair, Patient Council, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research *
Counseling Persons with Parkinson's Disease is a book that is a necessary addition to one's professional library. It is also a volume that patients can read, reflect upon, underline, and go back to when they feel a bit disoriented by what they are going through. As I relaxed with, and reflected upon, its content and spirit I thought to myself: This is what sound psychosocial information should be all about—simple, heart-felt, informative, and prepared in order to make life better for those in pain. * Robert J. Wicks, Psy.D., author, Bounce: Living the Resilient Life and Perspective: The Calm within the Storm *
Table of ContentsForeword by Robert J. Wicks Preface Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1: Beginning Chapter 2: Parkinson's Disease: The Basics Chapter 3: Worrying Chapter 4: Living with an Illness Called Parkinson's Chapter 5: Seeing Chapter 6: Illness, Transformation, and Resilience Chapter 7: Hiding Chapter 8: Counseling Persons with Parkinson's: Phase One Chapter 9: Opening Chapter 10: Counseling Persons with Parkinson's: Phases Two and Three Epilogue Index
