Praise for the previous edition: “…an excellent resource for all trainee and beginning counsellors irrespective of theoretical orientation. I regard it as a core text for Professional and Clinical Practice components of counsellor education and training courses.” Ian Horton, formerly Principal Lecturer, University of East London Praise for the current edition: "This book is a must. It informs the beginner and experienced counsellor howto undertake brief counselling, step by step, from orienting the client tocounselling, to termination of counselling." Professor Stephen Palmer, City University, London and Director for the Centre for Stress Management. Almost two thirds of counsellors and psychotherapists work with clients in up to twenty sessions each: this book reflects that reality and the challenges involved. The bestselling first edition of this book, by two of the UK's leading counsellor trainers and academics, was praised by trainers and tutors for its accessibility, comprehensiveness and practicality. It was also a leading contribution to the movement towards time-conscious counselling and to an understanding of the therapeutic alliance across time. The second edition has been thoroughly updated to include significant recent professional developments and new thinking in the counselling field. Additions include more detailed discussion of: Assessment Contracting Very brief counselling Clinical reasoning Clients' modalities Technical repertoire Depression and realism Supervision of brief counselling In the rapidly maturing profession of counselling, this book's sensitivity to time as a precious resource, clients' perceptions, evidence-based guidelines and integration of some of the best thinking from several counselling models make it an ideal core text for beginners and reflective practitioners. Thoughtful and busy practitioners in primary care, employee counselling, educational, voluntary and private practice settings will find many immediately helpful ideas and examples in this classic text.