A comprehensive introduction to current issues in the theory and practice of counselling. It covers all the core approaches to counselling in full: psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural, person-centred and integrative. The author takes a critical, questioning approach to issues of professional practice, including training and supervision, the organization of counselling agencies, ethical dilemmas, cross-cultural counselling and the role of research. Paying particular attention to social and cultural influences on counselling, such as the impact of feminism, McLeod argues that counselling should be regarded as an interdisciplinary area of study, drawing on philosophy, religion and the arts as well as psychology. The book aims to be of interest to experienced counsellors wishing to consolidate their knowledge base, as well as to those seeking a secure intellectual foundation at the beginning of their counselling careers.