The ways we know, think and believe about a whole variety of key areas - different forms of discourse, psychotherapy as well as religion - have much more in common than is usually perceived. In preference to Freud's idea that illusions are the expression of wish-fulfilment, the author of this study uses Winnicott's concept of illusion, as a life-long, ever-changing way of coping with the anxiety of gaps and space. Through a series of parallels running across different disciplines, Michael Jacobs demonstrates the possible analysis of modes of thinking and belief, from intuitive pre-thinking,...

This best-selling volume has been fully revised and updated to take account of the latest thinking about the theory and practice of pastoral counselling. As reviews of the original edition demonstrate, this is a book that no Christian minister or lay counsellor can afford to be without. 'Michael Jacobs has written a book which in terms of realistic and sound understanding, of sensitivity to the real needs of people, of a proper encouragement and humility, could not be improved upon. I can think of no better book to recommend to those who are beginning to take the counselling task seriously....

Presents the life, contributions and influence of Donald Winnicott, child psychologist, psychoanalyst and paediatrician. The practical applications to counselling and psychotherapy of Winnicott's detailed theory of psychological development are explained i

This is a collection of a number of the papers published by Jacobs over the course of a distinguished career. They trace a restless development as he practiced and then came to questions aspects of that practice and theory.