Full Description
Personal development (PD) groups are a key feature of many counsellor training programmes. Personal Development Groups for Trainee Counsellors: An Essential Companion is a comprehensive and accessible study guide written by experienced tutors and lecturers to support students with their PD group work and other personal development activities, helping students to get the most out of these experiences.
This essential resource is aimed primarily at those who are new to counsellor training. It will also be useful for anyone who wants to understand more about the nature of PD groups and how these can be used effectively. Case studies, questions and activities encourage readers to reflect on different topics and on themselves, including looking at how to improve self-care and how mindfulness can help. The book looks at the historical background to PD groups; how they can be used effectively, and also real-life experiences from both tutors and recent students. Other chapters invite the reader to develop their self-awareness through gaining an understanding of how ethics, relationships and identity are developed. There is a discussion about the merits or otherwise of mandatory personal therapy for trainees and also a discussion about the use of supervision. Finally, other important aspects of personal development are discussed including personal therapy, supervision, self-care and mindfulness.
Personal Development Groups for Trainee Counsellors will be of use to counsellor trainees on undergraduate and postgraduate diplomas to introduce them to PD groups and other essential activities. It will also be highly informative to those who are on counselling certificate courses to introduce them to aspects of personal development, as well as for tutors to support them in their work as PD group facilitators.
Contents
List of contributors
Preface
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Section A: Understanding personal development
1. What is personal development?
Carole Smith
2. A historical overview of personal development groups
Carole Smith
3. A historical and personal view of PD groups
Tracy Hitchcock
4. Personal development journeys: Student experiences
Edited by Jayne Godward
Section B: The personal development group
5. Understanding the personal development group
Jayne Godward
6. Experiences of personal development groups: A research base
Carole Smith
7. Experiences of running personal development groups: The facilitator role
Jayne Godward
8. Conflict and difficulties in personal development groups
Jayne Godward
Section C: Developing self-awareness to enhance practice
9. Ethics and personal development: Understanding personal ethics
Heather Dale
10. Personal moral qualities
Heather Dale
11. Attachment styles and relational patterns
Tracy Hitchcock
12. Identity and the counselling relationship: Who do you think you are?
Tara Fox and Jayne Godward
Section D: Other aspects of personal development
13. Personal therapy in counsellor training
Heather Dale, Jayne Godward and Carole Smith
14. Supervision and personal development
Heather Dale and Jayne Godward
15. Self-care and support for trainee counsellors
Heather Dale
16. Mindfulness and self-compassion
Tara Fox
17. Reflecting on and capturing your personal development: Study skills support
Heather Dale and Jayne Godward
Conclusion
Index
