REGULAR SMALLER PRINT VERSION> Also available on KINDLE For those readers who aren't really looking for a 'psychotherapy Guru,' but would rather read something that is a bit neurotic and authentically human then this could be the book for you. This is not written to impress or to gratify the pretentious, it is rather designed to be a collection of average essays and personal development statements written by an average student.They include the very early basic essays and later advanced stages of learning which the author has adapted for presentations and the enjoyment of the reader. These essays will greatly advantage the counselling student as they are low priced, honest and most of all vary in their quality.This offers students the opportunity to think and criticise what is written. Most statements are followed by a quote from an academic so the reader can feel assured that the ideas and viewpoints are well sourced. As a result of such an approach the student will find a rich reservoir of quotes and easy to understand explanations of theory. An example of this is given in the essay on Transactional Analysis where the idea that Congruence is the pivotal element of the core conditions are discussed. It reads: "Congruence is the most important part of the three qualities because it involves being self-aware, which Rogers believed was essential for the counsellor to be if he was to embark on getting to know and understand clients. This would lead to empathy and unconditional positive regard. Jan Sutton and William Stewart stated in their book learning to counsel: “Genuiness (congruence) is the precondition for empathy and unconditional positive regard. Effective counselling depends wholly on the degree to which the counsellor is integrated and genuine.” In addition to the quotes and commentary the author offers his own perspective which can be examined and very easily criticised by students in their essays for extra marks. The writer takes time to explain concepts by correlating the different theoretical concepts and demonstrating their similarity. For the individual who wishes to understand counselling and psychotherapy without spending time struggling with deep explanations, this book sticks to the point, and if you don't mind the odd deviations of grammar this book offers the opportunity to learn quickly. Each example is a satisfying and detailed explanation of the subject and avoids irrelevancies. Subjects covered are: Loss and Grief. Gestalt Therapy and perspective. Transactional Analysis. Disabilities and self actualisation Relationship Therapy. Humanistic Approach. Cultural Counselling. Stress Counselling Psychoanalysis. Personal Development Statement: Transference. Personal Development Statement: Gestalt. Personal Development: Statement in Time of Crisis. Personal Development: Automatic thoughts. Final Personal development Statement. The essays have examples of how mental processes are expressed and refers to Hierarchy of needs-humanistic/ person centred/cognitive behavioural ideas regularly.