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Counselling Adults with Learning Disabilities Sally Hodges and Nancy Sheppard,
Palgrave Macmillan
ISBN 0333962958,
£15.99   

This book explores how adults with learning difficulties might benefit from psychodynamic counselling. As Sheila Hollins comments in her introduction: "The major barrier in the way of providing competent counselling for people with learning difficulties is not the presence of a learning disability, but the lack of understanding of the relevance of counselling by potential referrers."

The authors, both clinical psychologists working in the Learning Disabilities Service at the Tavistock Clinic in London, make this issue the focus of their book. By using carefully selected examples of frequently encountered problems they link psychodynamic theory to practical experience.

This is a book for front-line staff who wish to know more about the place that counselling might have in helping their clients to cope with emotional distress. Although the main body of the book considers the counselling of individuals, there are also useful chapters on working with families, group work with people with learning difficulties and providing consultation to care staff. This excellent book is likely to be of interest to all who work with adults with learning difficulties.

Oliver Russell is honorary research fellow, Norah Fry Research Centre, University of Bristol

If you would like to order this book please call 020 8652 2043 or email books@communitycare.co.uk