`If we want to go beyond Asbos, truancy patrols and sin-bins then we need to give our young people not just hugs but skilled counselling by people who know what they're doing. In the school environment, where time is short and confidentiality is difficult to maintain, that's not easy, but Brief Counselling in Schools describes ways of doing it' - Times Educational Supplement

'The book is informative, well referenced and researched. The book comes to life where there are extracts, illustrations and anecdotal stories from the author's work with children. In this practical context, there seems to be real meaning to the tips and techniques that he offers, and this provides an interesting framework for his own views and stands on issues in practice. The new chapter on anger, aggression and violence included illustrations and case examples and was an insightful, lively and moving read. The themes raised are pertinent and I think of interest to all practitioners working with adolescents, and possibly also to those working with parents of adolescents' - Therapy Today

'The society we've put together isn't kind to adolescents. An increasing number of them are mentally ill, and an increasing number of adults are simply frightened of young people. If we want to go beyond Asbos, truancy patrols and sin-bins then we need to give our young people not just hugs but skilled counselling by people who know what they're doing. In the school environment, where time is short and confidentiality is difficult to maintain, that's not easy, but Brief Counselling describes ways of doing it? Its worth is borne out by the fact that this is a Second Edition, with much new material dealing with the latest legislation on child protection' - Times Educational Supplement

School is often a pressured environment where personal problems and peer group tensions arise, but have no time or place to be properly addressed. As a result, pupils' need for pastoral support and care is great, especially approaching and during that most challenging of developmental stages: being a teenager.

Brief Counselling in Schools, Second Edition is a practical guide to providing help and support to young people experiencing difficulties in home and school life. Recognizing the constraints of working within school settings, the book illustrates how counselling can nevertheless be effective, even when time is short and confidentiality is hard to preserve.

Based on a method of brief integrative counselling that can be adapted for the range of problems which pupils bring to counselling, and illustrated with rich and varied case material, the chapters look at issues of:

" self-esteem

" depression and suicidal thoughts

" bullying

" parental separation and step-parent conflict

" loss and bereavement

" spiritual concerns

" smoking, drug and alcohol use, and

" sexuality.

This fully updated Second Edition includes a brand new chapter covering anger, aggression and violence in schools. In addition, the chapter on ethical boundaries now includes information on new legislation regarding counselling in schools (including current British child protection law and the BACP ethical framework).

Brief Counselling in Schools will be invaluable to those offering counselling within schools: both trained counsellors and those involved in teaching and education welfare who are developing their skills in this area.

Dennis Lines is a school counsellor.