This essential resource is aimed primarily at those who are new to counsellor training. It will also be useful for anyone who wants to understand more about the nature of personal development (PD) groups and how these can be used effectively

List of contributorsPrefaceAcknowledgementsIntroduction Section A: Understanding personal development 1. What is personal development? Carole Smith2. A historical overview of personal development groupsCarole Smith3. A historical and personal view of PD groupsTracy Hitchcock4. Personal development journeys: Student experiences Edited by Jayne GodwardSection B: The personal development group5. Understanding the personal development group Jayne Godward6. Experiences of personal development groups: A research baseCarole Smith7. Experiences of running personal development groups: The facilitator role Jayne Godward8. Conflict and difficulties in personal development groups Jayne GodwardSection C: Developing self-awareness to enhance practice9. Ethics and personal development: Understanding personal ethicsHeather Dale10. Personal moral qualities Heather Dale11. Attachment styles and relational patternsTracy Hitchcock12. Identity and the counselling relationship: Who do you think you are? Tara Fox and Jayne GodwardSection D: Other aspects of personal development13. Personal therapy in counsellor training Heather Dale, Jayne Godward and Carole Smith14. Supervision and personal development Heather Dale and Jayne Godward15. Self-care and support for trainee counsellors Heather Dale16. Mindfulness and self-compassion Tara Fox17. Reflecting on and capturing your personal development: Study skills support Heather Dale and Jayne GodwardConclusionIndex

'This wonderful additional to the field offers an informed and helpful insight into the world of personal development groups. The collaboration of contributing authors, all experienced practitioners, supervisors and academics, provides an engaging and valuable resource to trainee counsellors and therapists and others interested in their own personal development. The rich integration of theory, practice examples, case studies and reflective exercises creates a well-informed companion guide, signposting the reader seamlessly through the often complex, challenging and ultimately rewarding experience of personal development groups.' - Anna Playle, Psychotherapist, Supervisor & Programme Director and Senior Lecturer, Canterbury Christ Church University 'It is acknowledged that personal development groups, although essential to therapeutic education, can be experienced with some trepidation—not only by students! This book, produced by five experienced and committed practitioners will be welcomed by trainee therapists, their teachers and supervisors. It is a 'go-to' handbook that helps to demystify the purposes and processes involved in PD group membership where the need for good facilitation and active participation is a given. This book is definitive in its broad-spectrum coverage and it is presented in a very accessible format.' - Marjorie Ashdown, BACP Fellow, PD Group Supervisor, Clinical Supervisor and Therapist'I would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who works with people, as it has certainly enhanced my capacity for reflection and broadened my personal development. The exercises were often transformative and encouraged me to look at things from a slightly different perspective. They encouraged self-reflection and I felt my capacity for personal development deepened through the experience. I especially appreciated the vignettes throughout which allowed me to put my learning into context.' - Margo Fourman, Special Education and Learning Development Tutor, University of Huddersfield