Norman is psychotherapist and former Head of Counselling and Psychotherapy studies at the University of Southampton. In addition to his academic teaching and writing, he maintains a small private practice and, as an acknowledged organisational counselling consultant, he is frequently retained as an advisor/practitioner by many private firms and governmental agencies. This necessarily involves him in a considerable volume of trauma response provision.

• PART 1: Where has counselling and psychotherapy come from?Counselling and psychotherapy – the opening storyPART 2: What do therapists do?Repairing people - the tales beginThe psychodynamic StoryThe cognitive-behavioural StoryThe humanistic StoryPersonality and therapy - today′s storyPART 3: Where do therapists work?Working in the commercial sectorWorking in the educational sectorWorking in the National Health ServicePART 4: Where is counselling and psychotherapy going?Counselling & psychotherapy - the next story

′′Claringbull is a skilled story-teller, and the narrative he unfolds in this text is nothing less than the evolution of the talking therapies from the ancient world to the current day. The result is a remarkably engaging and accessible resource which will help equip both trainees and seasoned practitioners to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century from an informed and considered position.′′ (Professor Simon du Plock, Metanoia Institute and Middlesex University)