Extending Horizons in Helping and Caring Therapies

"This is a book that inspires hope. Its contributors are, in their different ways, motivated by restlessness with a dysfunctional society and with the current state of the caring and therapeutic professions in Britain. From vantage points, often on the margin, they offer profound and pioneering reflections on theory, practice and research. Their combined efforts will encourage readers not to yield to the dispiriting trends which permeate our fractured society or to the straitjackets which increasingly threaten therapeutic creativity. It is refreshing to meet a group of writers who celebrate the whole person and have retained the vision of a more compassionate society." - Emeritus Professor Brian Thorne, University of East Anglia, UK; Lay Canon, Norwich Cathedral

"In an age where the psychological therapies seem increasingly boundary-focused, it is a delight to read a book that allows you to breathe once again. Bringing together formidably articulate writers, Nolan and West facilitate the reader beyond the limitations of therapy and explore aspects of our work in a refreshing and engaging way. They demonstrate that while good helping is about being grounded in strong ethical practice, work that empowers and truly facilitates is informed by much wider horizons. An excellent and welcome read." - Dr Andrew Reeves, Chair of BACP. Associate Professor in the Counselling Professions and Mental Health, University of Chester, UK

"This book takes readers on a refreshing journey of reflection, ‘beyond’ the customary ‘packaged’ mainstream ways of understanding counselling and psychotherapy (which are well-rehearsed and culturally-constrained), to alternative ways of thinking that are born out of the wisdom that comes from experienced practitioner-reflexivity and wider-informed practitioner development. Any therapist, who has grown beyond the bounds of defensive practice to become more grounded and authentic in their way of being and thinking with clients, will find resonances with, and permission-giving in, the text." - Professor Peter M. Gubi, Professor of Counselling, University of Chester, UK