Step in to Study Counselling and Psychotherapy (4th edition)

Deborah A. Lee is Lecturer in Counselling and Psychotherapy at the University of Salford and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA). She has 20+ years of experience in higher education, leading and teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses, advising students on study skills. Deborah is UKCP-registered, MBACP, and NCS (Accred), and has a private practice offering person-centred counselling and psychotherapy. Deborah's current teaching and writing has a focus on social justice in counselling and psychotherapy education, training, and practice, drawing on heuristic research, autoethnography, creative non-fiction and arts-based presentations. She is co-editor, with Emma Palmer, of #MeToo: Counsellors and psychotherapists speak about sexual violence and abuse (PCCS Books, 2020), guest editor of the special issue of Psychotherapy and Politics International (2020) on therapists' lived experiences, and her case-study research has appeared in the British Journal of Guidance and Counselling (2017) and Self & Society (2019). Pete Sanders worked as a volunteer at Off The Record, Newcastle-upon Tyne in 1972 before completing a degree in psychology at the university there, and then the postgraduate diploma in counselling at Aston University. He practised as a counsellor, educator and clinical supervisor for more than 30 years. He wrote, co-wrote and edited numerous books, chapters and papers on many aspects of counselling, psychotherapy and mental health, including PCCS Books' very popular 'Steps' series (in which this book belongs) for people entering and progressing through counselling training and into practice. He was co-founder of PCCS Books with Maggie Taylor-Sanders, which they launched almost 30 years ago to publish high-quality training materials and books that put the person in distress at the centre of the help offered. After he retired from practice and publishing, Pete continued to maintain an active interest in the development of person-centred theory, the politics of counselling and psychotherapy and the demedicalisation of distress, and to write and edit books on these topics. Pete died in February 2022, shortly after completing this fourth edition of Step in to Study Counselling with Deborah A. Lee.

• Introduction, 1. Preparing the ground for successful studying, 2. Learning relationships in counselling and psychotherapy courses, 3. Learning processes in counselling and psychotherapy courses, 4. Skills and techniques for effective study, 5. Assessment and assignments in counselling and psychotherapy courses, 6. Writing essays and case studies (and doing it differently!), 7. Continuing professional development, Appendix

'This is an excellent text, and this fourth edition ensures it remains as contemporary and vital as it has always been. It is authoritative yet accessible, ambitious yet detailed, and academic yet practical. This book will support you to build confidence and knowledge so that you can translate theory into practice and be the best therapist you can for your clients. A highly recommended text from two great writers.' Andrew Reeves, Professor in Counselling Professions and Mental Health, University of Chester - 'The book covers key material for those considering training, from choosing a course and making sense of relationships and dynamics during training, through to the inevitable tensions and conflicts evident in the book's socio-political content. The text is relevant to trainees as well as trainers and lecturers and should be essential reading on training courses. Perfectly pitched, and a powerful legacy, Pete!' Lynne Gabriel, Professor of Counselling and Mental Health, York St John University - '...covers all the key milestones...The inclusion of a wide range of personal experiences of different counsellors and trainers is a particularly valuable resource for students.' Dr Faisal Mahmood, Head of Subject, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Newman University, Birmingham - 'This new edition of Step in to Study Counselling and Psychotherapy is comprehensive, inclusive, accessible, involving, informative and more. Deborah Lee and Pete Sanders guide the reader with grace and generosity through a range of considerations, challenges and dilemmas. Prospective, new and existing counselling and psychotherapy students will all find themselves welcomed, reassured, inspired and enlightened.' Jonathan Wyatt, Professor of Qualitative Inquiry, Counselling, Psychotherapy and Applied Social Sciences, University of Edinburgh