`An interesting overview of medical and psychiatric issues that may arise for counsellors... readable, lucid and free of jargon. The issues addressed include referral and assessment, ongoing counselling and supervision, medical conditions and their treatment, psychiatric conditions and their treatment, and ethical and legal issues... it raises awareness of some important issues to consider when working with clients with medical and psychiatric conditions' - British Journal of Guidance and Counselling

Counsellors often encounter situations where clients' medical or psychiatric conditions - and their treatment - affect the assessment of, or work with, clients. This comprehensive overview highlights key concerns and offers practical advice for judging when a situation may be beyond the counsellor's skills.

Topics covered include: how to recognize serious medical or mental health problems and guidelines on referral; information on the effects and possible side-effects of certain drug treatments; how to deal with a medical emergency should it arise within a session; how to help clients deal with medical dilemmas such as HIV testing; and which psychiatric conditions can be exacerbated by counselling.