Abstract

At the heart of Richard Bryant-Jefferies' work with problem drinkers is his belief in the power and effectiveness of the person-centred approach to counselling. He suggests that many alcohol problems develop out of, or are connected with, relationship difficulties. He highlights the importance of building a therapeutic relationship with the person, and of engaging with their individuality to encourage sustainable lifestyle change underpinned by personal growth.

This practical book shows how such client-focused counselling can support problem drinkers who are seeking to develop and sustain a less alcohol-centred way of life. Demonstrating how the client-counsellor relationship can be harnessed to empower the individual to help themselves, Richard

* describes the health risks and effects on family life of alcohol dependency

* considers the differences between young and old problem drinkers

* analyses the support services available to those seeking change

* suggests ways of coping with relapse.

Supported by contributions from clients who have undergone counselling for alcohol reliance, this is a comprehensive and positive guide for people working with those who have a problematic relationship with alcohol.

This is a highly readable book, recommended for any counsellor whose client may be drinking inappropriately or even a little too much. It includes numerous examples of illustrative dialogue between client and counsellor and a section about the family. It should become a core text for trainee alcohol counsellors. Furthermore, it provides an excellent summary of the application of the person-centred approach to managers of alcohol services, often not trained counsellors themselves, and sometimes suspicious of this way of working.
Healthcare Counselling and Psychotherapy Journal
I recently enjoyed reading 'Counselling the Person Beyond The Alcohol Problem' which I found informative and useful. I liked in particular the discussion/rationale of offering specialist knowledge in context as opposed to a sense of being an expert on your client. Like Richard, I struggle as best I can to offer the core conditions through my relationship with each client. What a relief I felt on reading his conviction that not to share helpful insight is to leave a client vulnerable - 'a form of negligence'. And that such insight, when proffered, arising from within a particular relationship is not being directive but, rather, congruent reading, this book will help me to be a more effective counsellor with 'this' client group, written as it is from a place of commitment to providing a caring and supportive therapeutic environment for clients.Thanks for writing a much-needed book!
Diane Stead, Person-centred counsellor
For many years Richard Bryant-Jefferies was a counsellor and supervisor working in Primary Care in Surrey, specialising in work with people who had an alcohol problem. His theoretical orientation is person-centred and he is keen to demonstrate how this approach has application in practice with this client group. Since writing Counselling the Person Beyond the Alcohol Problem, which captures the core of his ideas in this specialist area, Richard has gone on to write many other titles addressing counselling themes from a person centred approach, including two novels. He currently works for an NHS Foundation Trust with responsibilities for Equalities and Diversity. His website can be accessed at www.richardbj.co.uk
The author presents us with a very readable person-centred strategy for working with problem drinkers as an alternative to the normally 'directive' therapies that are practiced. It is debatable whether the theoretical purists would agree with this classification.
The Drug & Alcohol Professional
I commend this book to those person-centred practitioners who have not ventured into this area of counselling before because they have considered it too "specialist". They will, I believe, be encouraged and emboldened. I commend it, too, to practitioners from other traditions who continue to entertain the false notion that person-centred counselling is not suitable for really serious problems. They may glimpse in its pages the self-evident but often neglected truth that it is persons who have problems and persons who demand our respect and professional commitment.
Brian Thorne, Emeritus Professor of Counselling, University of East Anglia, UK