This fascinating book presents the views of experienced therapists and counsellors on what is learnt about aspects of human nature from the many hours spent witnessing clients' stories.

Contributors write about their observations on working with people whose suffering is associated with social marginalization, family breakdown, the gay community, the AIDS epidemic, the Holocaust, and with people in groups, those who have experienced disaster and personal trauma, or depression, and those who have murdered. The book takes us to some of the depths of human suffering in order to illustrate the value and impact of therapy, and some of the failings and disillusionment of therapy. The material provides insights and hypotheses bearing on the human condition itself, and the contributors do not avoid disclosing some of their own struggles, doubts and suffering.