Sage Publications Existential Psychotherapy and Counselling: Contributions to a Pluralistic Practice

This book is for trainees and practitioners across the orientations who wish to incorporate an existential approach into their practice. Using a pluralistic perspective that recognises the diversity of clients and their individual needs, it shows trainees how and when existential concepts and practices can be used alongside other approaches. A wealth of resources and the author’s writing style make this is one of the most accessible and inspiring introductions to existential therapy. Videos of existential counselling in practice and written case studies ensure existential theory is illustrated in practice, while reflective questions and exercises help trainees relate notoriously complex existential themes to their own knowledge and experience. A companion website offers relevant journal articles, video tutorials on existential counselling skills, the results of the author’s survey of the ‘Top 10’ existential films, novels and songs, and much more. This passionate and insightful book is the ideal guide to help your trainees understand existential therapy and learn how to integrate its ideas and practices into their therapeutic work. Mick Cooper is Professor of Counselling Psychology at University of Roehampton. Review A very strong resource for any therapist with an interest in existentialism as a set of ideas and practices. It is learned, erudite, yet rooted and grounded in practice in a thoughtful and helpful way. The ideas are clear and sound, complemented with reflective exercises and thought-provoking questions, and draw upon popular literature and music as well as the more abstruse professional literature. Cooper’s aim to ‘give readers a vivid, practical and down-to-earth guide to existential therapeutic methods, along with the theoretical understandings that guide these ways of working’ (page 7) has been richly met. -- Dr. David Mc Cormack, Adult and Community Education, Maynooth University One of our brightest lights delivers a practical, synergistic account of existential psychotherapy. Mick Cooper brings his passion for existentialism, pluralism, and the core principles underlying them to this superb book and companion website. For those of us committed to fostering authentic relationships, meaning, freedom, and potentiality, this is THE contemporary evidence-based guide! -- John C. Norcross, PhD. Mick Cooper′s Existential Psychotherapy and Counselling: Contributions to a Pluralistic Practice serves as a worthy companion to his earlier, already classic, text Existential Therapies. Always highly accessible without resorting to superficiality or over-generalisation, the book engages, challenges, illuminates and, at times, infuriates. By so doing, it serves as an impressive example of how a pluralistic perspective can elicit novel and trenchant understanding to the ideas and practices of existential therapy so that they can be better compared to and contrasted with other contemporary approaches. Cooper′s continuing affection for and curiosity about existential phenomenology weaves itself throughout the text as whole bringing to it a stamp of authority, as well as a healthy sense of humour and scepticism, that is sure to enlighten readers as well as attract new afficionados. -- Professor Ernesto Spinelli Mick Cooper’s pluralistic practice is embedded in existential principles. In this book he demonstrates deftly that philosophical clarity enhances therapeutic work, no matter what your previous background or experience. He has laid down some well-placed stepping stones to ease the hazardous journey through the turmoil of human existence.  -- Professor Emmy van Deurzen This is an extremely engaging and accessible book: A perfect starting point for those new to existential therapy and also a joy for those who are already familiar with the terrain. Mick writes beautifully as always, clearly summarising all of the key theories and practices as well as offering new synergies and directions