This book is designed to be an introduction to counselling for those training to be nurses, midwives and health visitors, as well as professionals in these fields and other areas of health care, for example physiotherapists, occupational therapists and dieticians. It examines the theories underpinning counselling and shows how the skills can be used in various situations such as helping people come to terms with chronic illness, miscarriages and bereavements, using examples of conversations. The new edition has been brought completely up to date to reflect contemporary developments in nursing and health care in relation to the fundamental philosophy of counselling. The theory in the text has been updated to include recent research and the themes of reflective practice and ethical concerns have been developed throughout, without compromising the praised accessibility and practical nature of the first edition.