Counselling, Psychotherapy and the Law

`Jenkins′ book makes the law relevant, understandable and manageable to counsellors and psychotherapists. It makes clear, reassuring and essential reading for therapists in training as well as those in practice. [All] counsellors and psychotherapisys need to be up to speed with the law and with how it relates to their work. This book is more than timely with the impending introduction of regulation, and the fact that increasingly the work of counsellors and psychotherapists is being subjected to legal scrutiny′ - Healthcare Counselling and Psychotherapy Journal

Counselling, Psychotherapy and the Law is the long-awaited Second Edition of Peter Jenkins′ comprehensive introduction to legal issues in relation to counselling and psychotherapy in the UK. This text has been fully updated to include coverage of the key developments in the law that have had major impact on therapists′ practice with regard to data protection and the management of confidentiality. The book breaks new ground by exploring in detail the relationship of ethics to the law and providing a framework for relating the BACP Ethical Framework to legal decision-making.

Key features of this new edition include:

"extensive use of case studies. These bring legal examples to life and give a human dimension to powerful ethical dilemmas such as seeking agreement to end medical treatment, or client′s gaining access to their own confidential records

"key points, which provide quick summaries of complex material and reference guides for professional practice

"the multiple points of crossover and intersection of law and therapy. These are identified and explored, ranging from the use of narrative theory, to the provision of pre-trial therapy for abused children, to the role of the therapist as expert witness.

This new edition provides clarity and reassurance for practitioners at all levels about the exact nature of their responsibilities, and how these can best be managed, in order to enable them to comply with the law and focus on their therapeutic work with clients. Counselling, Psychotherapy and the Law, Second Edition provides an essential source of reference in a single volume, making a fascinating and complex topic understandable and bringing it to life.

Peter Jenkins, formerly a member of the BACP Professional Conduct Committee and currently a member of the Ethics Committee of the UKCP, has been described by Counselling at Work as ′probably the foremost authority on legal issues in counselling′. He is Co-Director of the Counselling and Psychotherapy Directorate at the University of Salford.

More reviews:

`Despite requiring real concentration, this is an essential read for counsellors and psychotherapists irrespective of background and theoretical orientation. Trainers, supervisors and agency coordinators especially would benefit from the up to date material contained here′ - Therapy Today

`Peter Jenkins has consulted widely over the content of this book, both within the psychological therapies field and with legal eagles. [His] use of clear flow diagrams and comparison boxes enable the reader to identify the similarities and differences between professional and moral/ethical debates. It is a thoroughly researched and accessible text′ - Association for University and College Counselling Journal

`a comprehensive overview of a rapidly evolving field. This book represents a helpful addition to practitioners′ bookshelves as a reference work, but also a beneficial read to stimulate thoughtful responses to practical dilemmas. It provides a good support to both therapeutic and supervision practices across the spectrum of experience and theoretical models′ - The Psychotherapist