Training the counsellor

These are exciting times for counsellor training. There has been a dramatic increase in courses in Britain and throughout the world, but until now there has been no comprehensive book available on all the issues involved. Training the Counsellor, based on a decade of practice and research in counselling training, provides a sound theoretical framework and a wealth of shared experience which will be invaluable to all counsellor trainers. Mary Connor gives the reader the opportunity to reflect upon live issues in counsellor training, beginning with a personal perspective on developments over the last thirty years and on the transitions which counsellors have to make when they become trainers. The focal point of the book is an integrative four-stage model for training competent and reflective counsellors. The four stages are: the development of attitudes and values; knowledge and skills; client work and supervision; reflection and evaluation. The author explores the training relationship from both trainer and trainee perspectives and she examines the role of the trainer as facilitator, educator and assessor. She also discusses ethical issues and professional development. . Training the Counsellor is above all a resource book which the reader can consult on topics ranging from course design, through to ideas about assessment, group dynamics and ethical issues. Together with its companion volume Supervising the Counsellor, it will be essential reading for counsellor trainers and for people involved in training other helping professionals.