"What is Disability?" and "Why am I disabled?" asked Joe, the seven year old boy, born with cerebral palsy...

Although disability is of concern to us all, very little attention has been paid to the felt experience of the disabled person and the ways in which psychotherapy might be constructively utilised. Disability, Counselling and Psychotherapy directly addresses this gap and, taking a life-span perspective and a psychoanalytic approach, actively explores the challenges and opportunities of disability to therapy, the caring professions and society more widely.

Shula Wilson introduces a model aimed at achieving autonomy that is based on the significance of the primary mother-baby relationship and the awareness of human mortality. In doing so she offers a new way of relating to disabled people and working through unanswerable questions such as those raised by Joe, above. She also challenges attitudes and reactions to controversial issues such as sex, death and the mystery behind altering body image, and brings to the surface the desires, hopes and frustrations of disabled people living in an environment ridden with fears and prejudices.

With its lively case discussion and clear theoretical base, Disability, Counselling and Psychotherapy is a vital resource for all practising professionals and trainees.

'This book offers counsellors, careworkers and others a new way of relating to disabled people. It raises awareness of the desires, hopes and frustrations of being confronted by restricted opportunities and the fears of society's prejudices...As a physiotherapist and person-centred counsellor, for me this book brings together the two disciplines in a way that helps understanding of the lifelong effects of disability in the formative years...It will enhance professional self-awareness as well as empathy when working with disabled people.' - Andrea Thomas, Cheshire, Therapy Weekly

Acknowledgements
Introduction
Cultural, Social and Personal Aspects of Disability
A Relational Model of Disability
Disability and the Practice of Psychotherapy
The World of the Disabled Child
Communication and Autonomy
Disability and Sexuality
The Final Separation
Postscript
Bibliography

SHULA WILSON is a practising psychotherapist, clinical supervisor and the founder and Clinical Director of the SKYLARK counselling service for people affected by disability. She is also a member of the visiting faculty at the School of Psychotherapy and Counselling, Regent's College, London.