ABSTRACT
Although it is generally acknowledged that counselling has a significant part to play in general practice, many doctors remain uncertain about the benefits and practicability of appointing a counsellor as a member of the primary care team. Opinions range between scepticism and enthusiasm. Some question whether the presence of a professional counsellor undermines the GP’s own counselling role, arguing that the research evidence is too limited and inconclusive to convince them otherwise. Others, while acknowledging that counselling like psychotherapy is notoriously difficult to assess, claim that in practice the benefits felt by patients, doctors and other members of the team are sufficient to warrant the acceptance of counsellors as part of the primary care team. However, some of the latter doctors may have held back from employing a counsellor because of practical and training considerations. This chapter examines these issues and how the development of counsellor training and professional standards contribute to this spectrum of opinion.
