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This practical book offers a new perspective on listening skills. Intended as a support to anyone whose professional or voluntary roles involve listening to others, it will have wide appeal to groups such as counsellors, advice workers, nurses, educators, clergy, complementary therapists or voluntary sector workers. The book provides a systematic approach to developing skills. It also explores the role of the listener in different contexts and the particular issues associated with working in situations where the usual boundaries of counselling are not in place. It suggests ways of offering a caring response to others and helping them to move towards healthier ways of relating and functioning in the world. Written in an easy style which avoids jargon, the book contains exercises which the reader may use to integrate the subject matter. Activities are framed in ways which make them accessible to the reader, who is studying alone, but the book is also suitable for groups to follow, and to this purpose, some guidance is given on ways of learning and practising skills in a group.
Caroline Brazier is a writer with a life long interest in psychology, spirituality, creativity and ethics; threads which have woven together in many different ways through a richly varied career. She has spent many years working as a psychotherapist and in a variety of educational and community based work. She now spends her time organising and teaching on the Amida training programme for therapists, travelling, writing and supporting other aspects of the work of the Amida community. Caroline is a founder member of Amida Order and has lived for the past few years in its spiritual community in Leicester. She is married with three adult children. The Amida Order can be contacted on www.amidatrust.com Caroline's previous publications are; Buddhist Psychology, Buddhism on the Couch, Guilt (O Books) and The Other Buddhism (O Books).
ENDORSEMENTS AND REVIEWS: Do you listen? Do you really listen? If listening is part of your profession, or if you want to develop your communication skills for personal reasons, this book will be of great assistance to you. Caroline Brazier has produced a fascinating book to guide students and the thoughtful reader. It is not just a good read, Listening to the Other offers a programme which will actively help develop skills, whether you are on your own, or learning within a group. The writing is eminently accessible and free from jargon and psychobabble. Topics covered include how we react to the world, how we are conditioned by it, how we support each other, how we form relationships and connections, and what can go wrong with these. Loss and grief are explored in detail and with great warmth. Within the text are many well thought-out and productive exercises for readers to undertake to support the learning. These will give the reader space to explore and develop their communication skills and provide insight. Driven by strong compassionate principles, but never preaching, the reader should be warned; this is a book which can change your life! Dr Peter Norrie PhD, MSc, RGN, MIBiol, HND,, Principal Lecturer in Nursing, De Montfort University, Leicester
An excellent book for all people in the helping professions who have to `listen’ professionally. As a teacher of social work at degree and M.A. levels, I will recommend that we use this book. It is practical and approachable and at the same time it develops reflection in the reader which, in my opinion, is an important part of social work training. Cordelia Grimwood, Senior lecturer in Social Work at the University of East London.
This well written and accessible book introduces the reader to listening... to listening deeply to the other and listening to one's inner self. Refreshingly clear in its style , and free of jargon, it offers the reader an opportunity to gain invaluable insights into the world of others. This is as much a book for those seeking personal development as an introduction to listening and communication skills, it will prove invaluable for a wide range of people. Beautifully written, it uniquely invites the reader to reflect on and develop their own inner wisdom and awareness. Caroline Brazier invites the reader to utilise their own inner wisdom in their interactions with others. Highly recommended to all who seek to develop their capacity to work effectively with others. Stephen Paul, Co-Editor, "The Therapeutic Relationship", Director of The Centre for Psychological Therapies.
"Listening to the Other" is a practical textbook about one of the most fundamental, but sadly ignored aspects of help: listening. Mainly intended for beginners in the helping professions this multi-layered and complex aspect is presented as a step-by-step guide. However, even experienced professionals should be able to gain new insights, into the role of listening, when done carefully, mind and heart engaged synchronically and wholeheartedly. The student/ practitioner/teacher reading this book will feel they in trustworthy hands, led by a teacher/ writer with a sharp and sensitive ability to predict questions and confusions which might arise in each phase of the reading process. As a teacher and a clinical supervisor, I look forward to using this rich resource. Yaakov Maitri MA, Israel based clinical psychologist, supervisor and author of Psyche`s Home. Formerly teacher of psychoanalytic psychotherapy Haifa University, Bar- Ilan University, Tel- Aviv University
"Listening to the Other" is a very practical and helpful tool for those engaged in a listening ministry. It provides a unique learning experience for the individual or for a group training exercise. The meditations and reflective exercises offer a valuable and inspirational spiritual resource for the Chaplain or Chaplaincy volunteer. Revd Sally Martin – Healthcare Chaplain
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