The Personal Is Political

Written by an eminent psychologist and psychotherapist, this book explores how therapists and counsellors can address the key issues of 'difference' in working with their clients. No matter how much the therapist knows, how knowledgeable they are or how expert they are, they all face the same dilemma - their clients are always unique, ever-changing, subjective beings. By taking a pluralistic approach and interweaving theory with a range of clinical stories offering insights into specific issues, client populations and therapeutic contexts, this text will enable readers to develop context-sensitive practice. It will equally appeal to students, newly qualified counsellors and more experienced professionals looking to develop their practice, becoming the perfect companion for students and trainees in applied psychology, psychotherapy and counselling.

Martin Milton is Professor of Counselling Psychology at Regents University London, UK. He also runs an independent practice in psychotherapy and supervision. He is a Chartered Counselling Psychologist, Consultant Psychologist specializing in psychotherapy, UKCP Registered Psychotherapist, and HCPC Registered Counselling Psychologist.

Chapter 1 Introduction: Politics and the Consulting Room Chapter 2 Difference in the Consulting Room: Theoretical and Professional Perspectives  Chapter 3: Race, Taye: Racial difference and questions of belonging Chapter 4 Gender 'Go on, be a good girl': Amanda and the oppression of gender Chapter 5 Sexuality 'Can I ask if you are gay?' Kenny, toxic masculinity and homophobia  Chapter 6: Faith, Neither mad, bad nor ill: Ravi, mental health and religious identity  Chapter 7: Non-binary gender, Beyond the binary: Sam and gender  Chapter 8: Disability, Politics of the unseen: Rhonda and hidden disability  Chapter 9: Othering and the environment, Monique: The guilt of living while the planet dies  Chapter 10: Big 'P' Politics, The Political is Personal: Jacinta and Brexit  Chapter 11: Epilogue