ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION This chapter provides a broad introduction to the body of theory that underpins counselling activity in contemporary Britain. It starts by exploring definitions of counselling and discusses how counselling activity fits within contemporary health and social care provision in Britain. The discussion identifies the theoretical foundations of the major approaches to counselling theory, and charts their development into a historical context. It then identifies key theorists and describes the basic assumptions and explanations which underpin each of the major counselling traditions. Consideration is given as to how these explanations engender differing models of helping. The chapter
also provides a case study to enable the reader to consider how theoretical perspectives might be applied in practice and directs the reader to reference material with suggestions for further study.
