‘The text... flows comfortably and confidently, leading the reader by the hand through the problems associated with defining counselling, counselling's cousins to the emergence of contemporary counselling... and what a stimulating, enjoyable and challenging text it is. Having read the book I experienced the same sense of buoyant optimism with which I leave my supervision sessions... Unlike live supervision, the book will sit on my shelf and be available when I need the nurture. To other practitioners I would say "Go on, treat yourself "... every word is relevant and necessary. I have enjoyed reading it, learned much from it and found little to disagree with' - , The Journal of the British Association for Counselling