Hope in Counselling and Psychotherapy

About the author Preface Acknowledgements PART ONE: UNDERSTANDING THE NATURE OF HOPE Introducing Hope Theoretical Perspectives on Hope The Emergence of Hope in the Literature of the Helping Professions How Different Theories of Counselling and Psychotherapy Encourage Hope Despair and Anxiety as Loss of Hope PART TWO: THE PRACTICE OF HOPE The Therapist's Hope Hope in Therapy: Practical Strategies Hope for Those with Severe and Enduring Psychological Challenges PART THREE: THE RESEARCH-INFORMED PRACTITIONER Research, Theory, and Practice Hope Measures and Psychotherapy Research Conclusion Appendix References Index

'In a period where short-term, deterministic approaches to mental health seem favoured, O'Hara's Hope In Counselling represents an important, major contribution to the literature of several professions. Presenting an account both rich and broad, the author provides a summary and overview of 'hope' from philosophical, nursing, psychotherapeutic and research perspectives. Of particular importance is his emphasis on going beyond a disease-based model of health, ["Treatment is not just fixing what is broken; it is nurturing what is best' Seligman and Csikszentmihalyi (2000:7)], to place 'hope' within a positive psychological framework. His exploration of the expression and extent to which it is contained within the theory of many different psychotherapeutic approaches makes this book particularly valuable' - Ian Townsend, Associate Lecturer, Counselling, University Centre, Blackburn College If you are writing an essay on hope in psychotherapy, or counselling, or coaching, this is the main book you will need! It really is thorough and academically respectable, covering all bases in an admirable way. There is plenty of research, some of it conducted by the author himself....There is a good deal of personal material in this book, and I found it eminently readable. I would recommend it quite strongly. -- John Rowan This is an interesting and well-informed book that, in addition to the wealth of research presented, offers questions and points for reflection at the end of each chapter. The references cited provide a rich source of research literature on the topic of hope and its place within therapy. It is written in a clear, comprehensive style with many examples to draw on and I highly recommend it to anyone in the helping professions, practitioners and students alike. -- Jennifer Carlton - Counsellor, Psychotherapist and Hypnotherapist