Person-Centred Counselling for People With Dementia ─ Making Sense of Self

Lipinska, a former director of nursing in a residential care home, shows counselors and carers how a person-centered counseling experience can have positive outcomes for those with dementia. She begins by examining fundamentals of the counseling process and the person-centered approach, then brings together several theories of counseling, including Carl Rogers' belief in the role of the transcendent or 'spiritual', and Dave Mearns' and Brian Thorne's work with configuration of Self. Dialogue from the author's counseling experience is used to illustrate the approach. A list of contacts for organizations is included. The book will be of value to counselors, health and social care professionals, carers, and people with dementia and their families. There is no subject index. Annotation c2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Danuta Lipinska has worked with people with dementia in the community for many years. She has a BA in Psychology and MA in Counselling, both from the University of New Hampshire, USA and is an accredited member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, and the UKRC Association of Independent Practitioners. On her return to the UK she was appointed to a three year project to design and run counselling services for people with dementia and their carers. Danuta currently works with clients on a referral basis and as a training consultant in the area of mental health and older people, particularly those with dementia. She is a qualified nurse and was Director of Nursing in a residential care home in the USA. She now lives in Middlesex, UK.