ABSTRACT
Stigma is something that pervades society and it is particularly subversive in the area of mental illness. Furthermore, all those working in the society need to be aware of the contexts of culture, ethnicity and racism with reference to the perception of mental illness. The usual problems of everyday life for which counseling may be useful can affect everyone without exception. The most common of those that a counselor will see are patients suffering from depression, and this is indeed the meat and drink of the majority of counsellors. The expansion of 'shared care' means opportunities and challenges that are increasingly available if the counsellor dares to move out of the counselling room and more actively engage with the team that is invariably involved. Pain as an emotional experience, and should not merely enhance the knowledge and practice of those counsellors working with clients who suffer chronic 'somatic' pain.
