My latest book is a textbook about psychiatry and mental health. It explores their theoretical and conceptual foundations, how various types of mental disorders are commonly understood and treated, covering for example the subjects of psychiatric diagnosis and psychiatric drugs.
It is written to inform and support counsellors and psychotherapists who work with clients experiencing various forms of mental distress, exploring the challenging interface between psychiatry and counselling and providing guidance in difficult situations. However, much of the book’s content will also be of interest to mental health professionals and the general public, particularly those wishing to understand some of the debates, critiques and philosophical positions and complexities relating to psychiatry and approaches to mental healthcare in the Western world.
As well as being informative, a particular feature of the book is how, through reflective exercises, clinical scenarios and practice points, it asks us to explore and question our own natural biases, unexamined assumptions, values and beliefs about mental health, distress and helping responses.
From the front page
‘This book is vast, authoritative, relevant and challenging, yet written with warmth, a lightness of touch and an authority rooted in a depth of practice experience and compassion’ (Dr Andrew Reeves, Associate Professor in the Counselling Professions and Mental Health)
‘This book should be read widely not only by therapists but also by clinical psychologists, mental health nurses and psychiatrists’ (Professor Philip Thomas, previously Consultant Psychiatrist and Professor of Philosophy, Diversity and Mental Health, University of Central Lancashire)
