The author has worked in Social Services and in residential care for teenagers, setting up a residential retreat centre and latterly developing courses for training in Christian counselling. This extensive experience gives him ample authority to write this book.

It is informative and practical, with a list of do's and don't's and helpful examples of forms and processes. It is a must for anybody wishing to set up a Christian counselling centre or residential retreat - it is sobering that very few Christian groups who start with faith and vision are still going three years later with a good reputation within the church and the professions. Chapters cover caring and counselling within the pastoral church setting and in the community, residential care, supervision, training, accreditation (including the role of the Association of Christian Counsellors), law and ethics, policies and procedures, and the place of feasibility studies and consultancies before projects begin. The book ends with a short summary and detailed appendices.

This is a very helpful tool for those wanting to set up counselling services in either pastoral or community settings.

Although simple in its approach and fairly superficial, it gives a comprehensive grasp of what is involved. A good read which is easy to follow.

Reviewed by
Mervyn Suffield
(Former GP, past Chairman of the Association of Christian Counsellors, and now Director of Trinity Care plc)