Counselling

This text explores the cultural, linguistic and educational challenge presented by deaf people to traditional, broad-based humanistic counselling theory and practice which hinges on the ability to "hear" and to "listen". Using the author's personal experience of and creative approaches to counselling the book charts the development of "seeing skills"; cultural and linguistic awareness; the client's personal power; role boundaries and communicative infrastructures in informing counsellor styles and core values when working with deaf people. The book is based on a lifetime's growth of deaf experience and identity and 15 years of research and practice of counselling in health, education and voluntary sector settings. It is a comprehensive resource for all professionals, both deaf and hearing, who work with deaf people, and to those who are interested in discovering the positive contribution made by "the deaf challenge" to counselling.