Understanding Assessment in Counselling and Psychotherapy

′The book is laid out well - it is accessible and easy to use, there is a synopsis of each chapter early on in the book and a summary at the end of each chapter, along with suggested further reading. There are activities and reflection points to prompt the reader to think about their role as an assessment counsellor, the hopes and expectations of assessments and the various necessary factors to be mindful of - the therapeutic alliance, the business side of the counselling frame, the client′s motivation and psychological mindedness, achieving the balance between listening and containment and assessing risk. The book is relevant to therapists from various theoretical orientations - psychodynamic, humanistic, CBT and existential - which provides further fuel for thought. It is aimed at counsellors working in organisations and private practice. Towards the end of the book, generously, there is an assessment form, which readers may find useful′ -
Rafiya Hanid,
Counsellor, University of West London; Head of Student Counselling

A thorough guide to clinical assessment covering different types of assessment and exploring the implications of the differing views of the client/patient. It outlines models of assessment and evidence based practice. -- Angela Rowlands * drupal *
Activities are useful for students. Case studies very focussed. ′Diagnosing′ Problems chapter is very good. -- David Calderwood * drupal *
There are some grey areas within counselling and psychotherapy training regarding assessment and diagnosis. This book helps to ′fill the gap′ in this area. -- Dr Bill Naylor * drupal *
Good chapter structure - up to date content. Activity based focus - teaching aids. Case study format. -- Dr Tony Parnell * drupal *
I used this book as a guide in discussing the issues of assessment diagnosis and referral in counselling within a mental health framework and it was extremely useful to me and my students in facilitating and framing this discussion. -- George Brooks * drupal *
A good book filling a gap in the field. Clear and succinct, -- Miriam Isaac * drupal *
a brilliant read -- Miss Nicola Lord * drupal *
Good basic book that students will quickly relate to. -- Mr Bill Stanley * drupal *
This book does what it says on the cover! It is accessible, easy to ready and yet raises important and fundamental issues around assessment in counselling and psychotherapy. The focus on professional and ethical practice as well as consideration of context makes it a text worth having for all counsellors and psychotherapists interested in learning more, or enhancing their assessment skills. -- Mr DIVINE CHARURA * drupal *
Links theory to practice in an easily understood manner. -- Mr Gerwyn Henderson * drupal *
I like the structure, the greater tentativity of the authors without disowning experience and expertise, the case vignettes, exercises and the relevant references and cited work. -- Mr Kieran Vivian-Byrne * drupal *
At the moment, as an HPL, I only have courses to teach centred on psychology. I taught Counselling Psychology last semester. At the moment, this text is too specialist but may be useful in the future. -- Mr Mark Tymms * drupal *
This book is recommended as an adjunct the core readoing texts. Students positively comment on its readability -- Mr Nick Papé * drupal *
Clearly presented with useful and appropriate reflections and exercises. Great for teaching at level 4 and 5 (FD level) not suitable for teaching at level 6 (BA Hons level) -- Mr Richard Carroll * drupal *
The Book has been used for students undertaking AMHP training. -- Mr Robert Wu * drupal *
Like: Very practical exercises, case studies and strong focus on reflective practice. Accessible and user-friendly.
Dislike: Some theory. Sections feel superficial/glossed over and inadequate. Many sections are repeats of Sofie′s ′Reflective Practice′ book. -- Mr Seamus Prior * drupal *
This is a very accessible text written with students in mind about an area of practice which is underdeveloped in the literature. The range of case studies, activities and reflection points are outstanding. -- Mr Steven Bamlett * drupal *
An important addition to the literature on assessment and the various issues and debates this raises within counselling and psychotherapy.
It is particularly useful for those about to begin their supervised practice placements and in the early stages of their practice helping them to identify, consider and grapple with ethical and contentious issues around client assessment..
-- Mrs Anne Smith * drupal *
Useful book to allow students to understand how assessment works in practice. -- Mrs Deborah Hibbard * drupal *
specific information; very useful -- Mrs Fiona Wilkes * drupal *
An excellent book very helpful when looking at the importance of assessments -- Mrs Mary Sherrill * drupal *
Clear, good case studies, accessible. -- Mrs Mary Sutton * drupal *
The layout-chapter summaries, core concepts/knowledge, case studies. This is a well set-out format which allows students to develop this knowledge/understanding of a complex and sometimes ′contraversial′ topic. Nothing to dislike! -- Mrs Suzan Flannery * drupal *
Clearly written. Well structured. Case studies. Nothing I dislike! -- Ms Anne Martin * drupal *
excellent resource for an increasingly important skill in therapeutic practice -- Ms Carol Hughes * drupal *
A useful introduction, however may be more appropriate for PQ Social Work students. -- Ms Caroline Lee * drupal *
Like clarity, exercises. Attention to referencing to more original sources. Affordability for students. -- Ms Clare Walker * drupal *
The book offers straightforward information, core scenarios and exercises that are useful to the students in getting to grips with some basic experience early on in the course. -- Ms Deborah Gibson * drupal *
Like- very thorough, attention given to different contexts and to ethical concerns, up to date on assessment measures. Dislike- language of ′treatment′ and ′diagnosis.′ -- Ms Jane Macaskie * drupal *
We don′t currently have a particular text on assessment that we recommend to students so this is ideal. The content is wide ranging and covers many aspects that we teach on our course. Presentation throughout is easy to understand with a good range of pedagogical features that we may well use. -- Ms Kirsten Amis * drupal *
Provides information about how different modalities view asssessment - differences and similarities. Discussion of assessment in different contexts useful to students in practitioner training. Useful resource material. -- Ms Lynne Lacock * drupal *
Great authors- I use their reflective practice book and students like it too. Break down complex ideas into ways that are accessible and good introductory material. This assessment and private practice section particularly helpful as little guidance. Taught input on our course- someday I would like it to change. -- Ms Raje Suzanne Airey * drupal *
This is a useful text for our Year 1 MSc TC students who are beginning their training. It is part of their essential reading for the Assessment & Formulation lecture. The book gives a good overview of Assessment and helpfully offers some comments on diagnosis and the tension between. Less helpful is the strong emphasis on the authors own place of work ( Metanoia) which felt misplaced and at times irritating. It would have been better not to ′name′ it but rather draw anonymously from their obvious expertise. -- Ms Victoria Alexander * drupal *
Well written and presented, with a good section on ethics. The section on liability for negligence should be expanded. Sections regarding reporting alleged or suspected abuse of children or vulnerable adults should be added. -- Professor Brian Taylor * drupal *