Description
Book SynopsisAt the heart of Richard Bryant-Jefferies' work with problem drinkers is his belief in the power and effectiveness of the person-centred approach to counselling. He suggests that many alcohol problems develop out of, or are connected with, relationship difficulties. He highlights the importance of building a therapeutic relationship with the person, and of engaging with their individuality to encourage sustainable lifestyle change underpinned by personal growth.
This practical book shows how such client-focused counselling can support problem drinkers who are seeking to develop and sustain a less alcohol-centred way of life. Demonstrating how the client-counsellor relationship can be harnessed to empower the individual to help themselves, Richard
* describes the health risks and effects on family life of alcohol dependency
* considers the differences between young and old problem drinkers
* analyses the support services available to those seeking change
* suggests ways of coping with relapse.
Supported by contributions from clients who have undergone counselling for alcohol reliance, this is a comprehensive and positive guide for people working with those who have a problematic relationship with alcohol.
Trade ReviewThe author presents us with a very readable person-centred strategy for working with problem drinkers as an alternative to the normally 'directive' therapies that are practiced. It is debatable whether the theoretical purists would agree with this classification. -- The Drug & Alcohol Professional
I commend this book to those person-centred practitioners who have not ventured into this area of counselling before because they have considered it too "specialist". They will, I believe, be encouraged and emboldened. I commend it, too, to practitioners from other traditions who continue to entertain the false notion that person-centred counselling is not suitable for really serious problems. They may glimpse in its pages the self-evident but often neglected truth that it is persons who have problems and persons who demand our respect and professional commitment. -- Brian Thorne, Emeritus Professor of Counselling, University of East Anglia, UK
This is a highly readable book, recommended for any counsellor whose client may be drinking inappropriately or even a little too much. It includes numerous examples of illustrative dialogue between client and counsellor and a section about the family. It should become a core text for trainee alcohol counsellors. Furthermore, it provides an excellent summary of the application of the person-centred approach to managers of alcohol services, often not trained counsellors themselves, and sometimes suspicious of this way of working. -- Healthcare Counselling and Psychotherapy Journal
I recently enjoyed reading 'Counselling the Person Beyond The Alcohol Problem' which I found informative and useful. I liked in particular the discussion/rationale of offering specialist knowledge in context as opposed to a sense of being an expert on your client. Like Richard, I struggle as best I can to offer the core conditions through my relationship with each client. What a relief I felt on reading his conviction that not to share helpful insight is to leave a client vulnerable - 'a form of negligence'. And that such insight, when proffered, arising from within a particular relationship is not being directive but, rather, congruent reading, this book will help me to be a more effective counsellor with 'this' client group, written as it is from a place of commitment to providing a caring and supportive therapeutic environment for clients.Thanks for writing a much-needed book! -- Diane Stead, Person-centred counsellor
Table of ContentsPreface. Introduction. 1. Entering the world of alcohol use. 2. Alcohol in the Family. 3. Application of a Person-Centred Approach. 4. The Cycle of Change. 5. From Pre-Contemplation to Taking Action. 6. Maintaining Change and Responding to Relapse. 7. Bringing it All Together. 8. Conclusion. References. Index.
