<p>As provided in the top answer to <a href="https://psychology.stackexchange.com/questions/8051/what-books-should-i-study-to-have-a-decent-understanding-of-psychology">What books should I study to have a decent understanding of psychology?</a>, I’ve compiled a reading list based on the books I acquired during my training as a therapist.  The first section is a <strong>general introduction</strong> and they would answer your question on introductory material. I highly recommend reading these before going into the other 2 sections.</p>
<p>I have added the 2nd and 3rd sections for further reading. For a good understanding, I recommend you don't touch any of the books in the 3rd section unless you have a good grasp on the books in section 2.</p>
<p>I have often quoted from these books in my answers here.</p>
<h2>General Introduction (Best read in order)</h2>
<p>Sanders, P. (2011). <em>First steps in counselling: A students' companion for introductory courses.</em> Pccs Books.</p>
<p>Frankland, A., &amp; Sanders, P. (1995). <em>Next steps in counselling: a students' companion for certificate and counselling skills courses.</em> PCCS books.</p>
<p>Reeves, A. (2022). <em>An introduction to counselling and psychotherapy: From theory to practice. An Introduction to Counselling and Psychotherapy</em> Sage. <a href="http://216.104.201.186:5050/xmlui/bitstream/handle/123456789/61/Intro_to_C&amp;P_Chapter_1.pdf?sequence=1" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Contents and Chapter 1 Preview (PDF)</a></p>
<p>De Board, R. (2008). <em>Counselling for toads: a psychological adventure.</em> Routledge.</p>
<h2>To be read after the general introductory for best understanding</h2>
<p>Clarkson, P., &amp; Cavicchia, S. (2013). <em>Gestalt counselling in action.</em> Sage.</p>
<p>Dryden, W., Jones, J., &amp; Trower, P. (2015). <em>Cognitive behavioural counselling in action. Cognitive Behavioural Counselling in Action.</em> Sage</p>
<p>Jacobs, M. (2017). <em>Psychodynamic counselling in action.</em> Sage.</p>
<p>Mearns, D., Thorne, B., &amp; McLeod, J. (2013). <em>Person-centred counselling in action</em>. Sage.</p>
<p>Rogers, C. (2012). <em>Client Centred Therapy (New Ed).</em> Hachette UK.</p>
<h2>Further reading when you have a good grasp of the other 2 sections</h2>
<p>Berne, E. (1968). <em>Games people play: The psychology of human relationships.</em> Penguin</p>
<p>Erickson, J. M., &amp; Erickson, J. M. (1997). The life cycle completed: Extended version with new chapters on the ninth stage of development.</p>
<p>Harris, T. A. (2012). <em>I'm OK, you're OK.</em> Random House.</p>
<p>Jacobs, M. (2012). <em>The Presenting Past: The Core Of Psychodynamic Counselling And Therapy: The core of psychodynamic counselling and therapy.</em> McGraw-Hill Education (UK).</p>
<p>Sigelman, C. K., &amp; Rider, E. A. (2021). <em>Life-span human development.</em> 10th ed. Cengage Learning.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-10-08T11:46:45.503Z
2022-10-08T11:46:45.503Z
Chris Rogers
<p>As a complete outsider to the subject, I would like to start learning about psychotherapy. To this end would you be able to suggest a starting point, say, an introductory book which I can go through, to then start exploring more and more specific directions?</p>
<p>Related: <a href="https://psychology.stackexchange.com/questions/8051/what-books-should-i-study-to-have-a-decent-understanding-of-psychology">What books should I study to have a decent understanding of psychology?</a></p>

<reference-request>
Introductory material on psychotherapy
Lilla
# Introductory material on psychotherapy

(Asked by: username_0 on 2022-09-29)

As a complete outsider to the subject, I would like to start learning about psychotherapy. To this end would you be able to suggest a starting point, say, an introductory book which I can go through, to then start exploring more and more specific directions?

Related: [What books should I study to have a decent understanding of psychology?](https://psychology.stackexchange.com/questions/8051/what-books-should-i-study-to-have-a-decent-understanding-of-psychology)

**Tags:** reference-request


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2022-10-08. Score: 2

As provided in the top answer to [What books should I study to have a decent understanding of psychology?](https://psychology.stackexchange.com/questions/8051/what-books-should-i-study-to-have-a-decent-understanding-of-psychology), I’ve compiled a reading list based on the books I acquired during my training as a therapist. The first section is a **general introduction** and they would answer your question on introductory material. I highly recommend reading these before going into the other 2 sections.

I have added the 2nd and 3rd sections for further reading. For a good understanding, I recommend you don't touch any of the books in the 3rd section unless you have a good grasp on the books in section 2.

I have often quoted from these books in my answers here.

## General Introduction (Best read in order)

Sanders, P. (2011). *First steps in counselling: A students' companion for introductory courses.* Pccs Books.

Frankland, A., & Sanders, P. (1995). *Next steps in counselling: a students' companion for certificate and counselling skills courses.* PCCS books.

Reeves, A. (2022). *An introduction to counselling and psychotherapy: From theory to practice. An Introduction to Counselling and Psychotherapy* Sage. [Contents and Chapter 1 Preview (PDF)](http://216.104.201.186:5050/xmlui/bitstream/handle/123456789/61/Intro_to_C&P_Chapter_1.pdf?sequence=1)

De Board, R. (2008). *Counselling for toads: a psychological adventure.* Routledge.

## To be read after the general introductory for best understanding

Clarkson, P., & Cavicchia, S. (2013). *Gestalt counselling in action.* Sage.

Dryden, W., Jones, J., & Trower, P. (2015). *Cognitive behavioural counselling in action. Cognitive Behavioural Counselling in Action.* Sage

Jacobs, M. (2017). *Psychodynamic counselling in action.* Sage.

Mearns, D., Thorne, B., & McLeod, J. (2013). *Person-centred counselling in action*. Sage.

Rogers, C. (2012). *Client Centred Therapy (New Ed).* Hachette UK.

## Further reading when you have a good grasp of the other 2 sections

Berne, E. (1968). *Games people play: The psychology of human relationships.* Penguin

Erickson, J. M., & Erickson, J. M. (1997). The life cycle completed: Extended version with new chapters on the ninth stage of development.

Harris, T. A. (2012). *I'm OK, you're OK.* Random House.

Jacobs, M. (2012). *The Presenting Past: The Core Of Psychodynamic Counselling And Therapy: The core of psychodynamic counselling and therapy.* McGraw-Hill Education (UK).

Sigelman, C. K., & Rider, E. A. (2021). *Life-span human development.* 10th ed. Cengage Learning.


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