Nicola Blunden Author

Nicola Blunden is a pluralistic integrative therapist, with special practice interests in creative methods, plural identity, childhood trauma, and co-creation of therapy. She was previously Director of Studies of the person-centred pluralistic training at Metanoia Institute, and now leads the counselling and psychotherapy Masters' programme at UWE Bristol. She is an advocate for therapy that embraces diversity and co-creation. She also champions collaborative approaches to therapy, encouraging the development of individualised and co-created therapeutic practices. Her research focus is the urgent need to democratise and decolonise therapy, making it more accessible and relevant to all.

Pete Sanders spent over more than 30 years practising as a counsellor, educator and clinical supervisor. He wrote, co-wrote and edited a number of books, chapters and papers on many aspects of counselling, psychotherapy and mental health. He was a founding director of PCCS Books, and a trustee of Open Door Counselling Birmingham. He maintained an active interest in developing person-centred theory, the politics of counselling and psychotherapy and the demedicalisation of distress throughout his life. He died in February 2022.

Paul Wilkins was a person-centred academic, practitioner and supervisor. He published several books on counselling and psychotherapy and was a senior lecturer in the Department of Psychology and Social Change at Manchester Metropolitan University. He died just as he was embarking on this third edition of Next Steps, in August 2022.