Description

Book Synopsis
These ten fictional short stories give students of counselling and psychotherapy a unique insight into what actually goes on in therapy. Exploring aspects of the client-therapist relationship, the reader is given a fly-on-the-wall view of the therapeutic process. Rather than suggesting a 'correct' approach, they explore possibilities and provide entertaining, vivid and thought-provoking descriptions of the therapeutic journey. Issues explored include:

-contracting

-boundaries and confrontation

-self-disclosure on the part of the therapist

-dream interpretation

-the influence of the consulting room environment

-conflicting belief systems.

These are much more than just engaging stories - Phil Lapworth draws on over 25 years of clinical experience to show how the student can integrate theory into real practice with real clients. The final chapter explicitly highlights the specific theories, models and issues that are illustrated th

Trade Review

′What I think these stories do particularly well is expose and bring to the fore the therapist′s latent world′, in terms of the thoughts, feelings, and responses to clients, which so clearly guide the therapist in every moment of the interaction′ -

′This is a collection of short stories which cunningly raise a wide range of professional issues relevant to many different models, in an entertaining and thought provoking way. I would highly recommend this book as a refreshing read for experienced counsellors and a very readable adjunct to academic material for students, but all the more as a tool for trainers′ -
Meg Harper, Counsellor, writer and teacher

′These engaging, moving, informative, warm and surprising stories convey the key points in counselling and psychotherapy practice. Overall, a beautifully written book that should be a real asset to the counselling and psychotherapy literature.′
Mick Cooper, Professor of Counselling
University of Strathclyde

′I′ve read each of these stories through several times, simply because to do so was a sheer delight. They are written with warmth and humour, and give a valuable insight into the world of therapy.′
Mike Simmons
University of Wales, Newport

′I honestly thought this was the best book I have come across relating to therapy. I picked up more than I had in course handouts or from the reading list textbooks.′
HNC Counselling & Psychotherapy student
Anniesland College



Table of Contents
Introduction The Stories The Carving Subterranean Holding Boundaries Not Playing It by the Book In at the Deep End High Spirits The Audition First Nature Dream on Chance Is a Fine Thing Unwrapping through Discussion

Tales from the Therapy Room

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    £28.99

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    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Mon 27 Jul 2026.

    A Paperback by Phil Lapworth

    Out of stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Tales from the Therapy Room by Phil Lapworth

      Publisher: SAGE Publications Ltd
      Publication Date: Publication Date: 1/13/2011 12:00:00 AM
      ISBN13: 9780857024954, 978-0857024954
      ISBN10: 0857024957

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      These ten fictional short stories give students of counselling and psychotherapy a unique insight into what actually goes on in therapy. Exploring aspects of the client-therapist relationship, the reader is given a fly-on-the-wall view of the therapeutic process. Rather than suggesting a 'correct' approach, they explore possibilities and provide entertaining, vivid and thought-provoking descriptions of the therapeutic journey. Issues explored include:

      -contracting

      -boundaries and confrontation

      -self-disclosure on the part of the therapist

      -dream interpretation

      -the influence of the consulting room environment

      -conflicting belief systems.

      These are much more than just engaging stories - Phil Lapworth draws on over 25 years of clinical experience to show how the student can integrate theory into real practice with real clients. The final chapter explicitly highlights the specific theories, models and issues that are illustrated th

      Trade Review

      ′What I think these stories do particularly well is expose and bring to the fore the therapist′s latent world′, in terms of the thoughts, feelings, and responses to clients, which so clearly guide the therapist in every moment of the interaction′ -

      ′This is a collection of short stories which cunningly raise a wide range of professional issues relevant to many different models, in an entertaining and thought provoking way. I would highly recommend this book as a refreshing read for experienced counsellors and a very readable adjunct to academic material for students, but all the more as a tool for trainers′ -
      Meg Harper, Counsellor, writer and teacher

      ′These engaging, moving, informative, warm and surprising stories convey the key points in counselling and psychotherapy practice. Overall, a beautifully written book that should be a real asset to the counselling and psychotherapy literature.′
      Mick Cooper, Professor of Counselling
      University of Strathclyde

      ′I′ve read each of these stories through several times, simply because to do so was a sheer delight. They are written with warmth and humour, and give a valuable insight into the world of therapy.′
      Mike Simmons
      University of Wales, Newport

      ′I honestly thought this was the best book I have come across relating to therapy. I picked up more than I had in course handouts or from the reading list textbooks.′
      HNC Counselling & Psychotherapy student
      Anniesland College



      Table of Contents
      Introduction The Stories The Carving Subterranean Holding Boundaries Not Playing It by the Book In at the Deep End High Spirits The Audition First Nature Dream on Chance Is a Fine Thing Unwrapping through Discussion

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