The Skilled Helper: A Problem-Management and Opportunity-Development Approach to Helping

"Egan’s The Skilled Helper is a classic resource, practical and outcome-oriented, for those of us involved in the helping professions (not only counselling but also related fields such as life coaching.) As a student who has mostly been exposed to the Rogerian, client-centred model of counselling, I am interested by Egan’s pragmatic approach, where empathy is not seen to be an end in itself but, in the later stages of the helping process, becomes secondary to the search for desirable outcomes. Egan’s discussion of the "shadow side" of helping, where good intentions can have poor results, is also highly useful."
~ Written on 2006-03-14

"This book does not need a recommendation from me as it is so well established. For anyone who is involved in "helping people" it is a must. It is full of common sense and wisdom and well as an unrivalled knowledge of the subject"
~ Written on 2003-05-22

"Gerard Egan's 3 Stage Model is the cornerstone to all counselling, from Brief Therapy through to Psyhcodynamic work. This is so because all effective counselling first demands that you "get alongside the client", listening, empathising and building up a professional trust and respect. This book is accepted by so many as THE book that builds and teaches the necessary skill foundations for us all, whether professional counsellors, health/care professionals, or simply people who care enough to want to show they care and want to support their friends and family in the best ways possible."
~ Written on 2002-05-22