Now fully updated to take account of the significant changes in the therapy professions in recent years, this book guides trainees through the practical skills and knowledge they'll need to make a success of their training - from writing essays, through case formulation, and on to preparing for their first meeting with a client.

Setting the scene - Sheelagh Strawbridge Routes into the profession of counselling, counselling psychology and psychotherapy in the United Kingdom - Tony Ward The trainee experience - Susan Maise Strauss Students top tips - Tami Avis, Fran Smith, Genevieve Solomou and Ingrid Sorhus Getting the most out of personal therapy - Mark Donati and Charles Legg Effective essay writing - Frances Mielewczyk How to write a client case study - John Davy How to write a process report - Christine Parrott Planning and preparing your research study - Don Rawson Producing and presenting your research report - Don Rawson Guidelines for professional practice - Tim Bond Research, practice and reflection - Margaret Oakes The clinical placement in therapy training - Victoria E. Galbraith Handling and processing a referral - Mary Creaner Developing skills in formulation - Sarah Corrie and David A. Lane The first session with a new client: five stages - Robert Bor, Sara Chaudry and (the late) Riva Miller Assessing a client′s mental state - Yvette Lewis Psychopharmacology: a primer - Diane Hammersley, Jo Sexton and Charles Legg Written communication and counselling - Peter Du Plessis and Fiona Hirst Supervision: making it work for you - Damian McCann What do I do if ... ? Questions commonly asked by trainees - Malcolm C. Cross and Linda Papadopoulos Preparing for a job after professional registration - Elaine Kasket Working with diversity: enhancing practice and challenging oppression - Martin Milton The reflective practitioner: some personal reflections - Mary Watts Setting the scene for continuing professional development (CPD) and life-long learning - Barabara Hannigan The use of social media, technology and online therapy - Anne Stokes Looking to the future - Sheelagh Strawbridge

I found the Trainee Handbook really useful for the students that I work with.  It is well set out from setting the scene to future job role as a counsellor.  I’m aware that it isn’t necessarily for Level 2 students but some aspects are and the students found them to be very useful.  Some specific headings that are used in counselling may help such as contracting.