Counselling and Spiritual Accompaniment

Brian Thorne’s uniqueness has been marked by his holding together what some have seen as polar opposites. He is the doyen of person-centred therapy in Britain and was a close colleague of Carl Rogers. Alongside this Brian has lived the Christian faith which has shaped and marked his life. This twinning of what are often seen as conflicting paths has been Brian’s courageous project throughout his professional life. This book brings these two into convergence in a manner hitherto unavailable. It is a key contribution to both areas.  It will offer benefits to practitioners in both worlds and will help to bring these two worlds into a still more creative convergence.”—The Rt Revd Stephen Platten Bishop of Wakefield, UK

This book brings together the person-centred counselling and theological worlds of Brian Thorne across more than thirty years of his writing. The unifying concept that describes both his faith and his therapy is his valuing of humanity. The task, whether we see it as religious or political, is to create conditions that nurture rather than seek to control the human being. Throughout the years depicted in this book I have witnessed Brian’s struggle in relation to those forces that would dehumanize. I have seen Brian often tired, sometimes frustrated and not infrequently distressed in these encounters with the forces of dehumanization. But it is ‘tired’ that I remember most, because in those moments he knew that there would be no rest for him. From early in his life he had realized that giving up could never be an option. Whether the reader is a person of faith or an atheist like myself, I commend this book as a medium that can help us all to reflect upon our existence.—Dave Mearns, Professor Emeritus, University of Strathclyde, UK

“Brian Thorne has always stood as a beacon for both the person centred approach to counselling and life and also the mystical experience of spirituality. His new book, which includes both key writings and some striking new material, is a classic summation of his work. As ever it is written in a clear and courageous manner that challenges the reader to respond in kind. If you have an interest in the person centred approach, the challenges of living a spiritual life in the modern world or both, then this book will be of great interest and great use to you.”—Dr. William West, University of Manchester, UK

“For me Brian Thorne is the most inspiring person-centred therapist in the tradition of Carl Rogers. With his brilliant empathic capacity, full of depth and humor, he lives an outstanding model for everyone who wants to see that powerful and tender therapeutic skill in action. Brian has not only explored the limits of psychotherapy and counseling, he has enriched and transcended the body of knowledge and practice by his personal spiritual experiences. This results in a refreshing deepening of the therapeutic encounter, with unexpected turns in conversations and actions. Again and again Brian Thorne enters sacred ground in such a way that this book can be seen as a guide to divert frontiers and connect to transpersonal sources.”—Prof. Dr. Mia Leijssen, KU Leuven, Belgium

“Relevant, meaningful and as daring as ever, this collection of key writing from Brian Thorne on spirituality and counselling is a must-have for seasoned and new practitioners in helping relationships. There are classics here as well as new reflections on spiritual accompaniment for all those who are weary of skills based, tick box, reductionist approaches to human relating. Brian Thorne’s integrity, fearlessness and faith in the human spirit are a beacon of hope and encouragement for those searching and yearning to articulate the fullness of their humanity. His deep sharing of his experiences and thinking over the last 30 years will provide invaluable companionship to anyone wishing to embrace their aliveness in relationship to others and the world.”—Suzanne Keys, Counsellor and Supervisor, Private Practice, UK