The Presenting Past: The Core of Psychodynamic Counselling and Therapy

"This step by step introduction to counselling is essential for anyone commencing on the path to counselling or just wishing to improve their counselling and listening skills. Whether this is for professional or personal reasons, "The Presenting Past" is at a level that appeals to everyone.

Whilst reading The Presenting Past, you feel Jacobs is personally taking you by the hand and leading you one step at a time into the amazing world of counselling, making you analyse your own life on the way...

I particularly enjoyed the way the book encourages you to write notes and answer the tasks provided, although this appears daunting at first, it is well worth the effort."
~ Written on 2002-01-28

"This book is a wonderfully readable overview of the developmental principles underlying psychodynamic counselling. Theories of Freud, Klein, Winnicott, Kohut and others are organized into three broad developmental themes - dependency, autonomy and interdependence, and illuminated with rich clinical examples. Jacobs' lucid, lively style makes the connection between theory and practice clear and accessible. It is as if he is having an engaging conversation with the reader about how to use complex developmental theories to enhance clinical practice. This outstanding book will appeal to established clinicians as well as students training in counselling and sychotherapy."
~ Written on 1999-07-08

"Everyone who works with clients will welcome Michael Jacobs eminently readable and stimulating new book. Drawing on the works of Erikson, Winnicott, and other relational theorists, Jacobs articulates the three major development themes that weave their way through both counseling and psychotherapy. The author's case studies leap off the page, drawing the reader into the intricacies of the therapy relationship to demonstrate how the past becomes a living part of the here-and-now. A boon for beginning therapists as well as a refreshing source of new ideas for more experienced clinicians."
~ Written on 1999-07-08