Speaking of Dying: A Practical Guide to Using Counselling Skills in Palliative Care
' members of the caring professions need all the counselling skills that we can muster. Readers of this book will end up feeling less helpless in the face of death but we should not expect to find communication easy. What can we say? Once we think we know what to say we are wrong. Rather this book will help us to learn when to speak of dying and when not to, what not to say and when to keep silent and wait patiently for what gliding instructors call an 'up-draught'. We must start from wherever the other person may be and we must take the time and trouble to discover the language with which this person speaks about death and dying, the assumptions they make and their needs and wishes to speak or not to speak. From the Foreword by Dr Colin Murray Parkes, Life President of Cruse Bereavement CareGood counselling skills are often not taught to the professionals who need them most. Compassionate and tactful communication skills can make the difference between an awkward encounter with a dying patient, and an engaging, empathic bond between two people.Louis Heyse-Moore draws on his wealth of experience as a trained counsellor and palliative medicine specialist. Covering difficult subjects such as breaking the news of terminal illness to a patient, euthanasia and the effect of working with patients on carers, Speaking of Dying is a practical guide to using counselling skills for all clinical disciplines working in palliative care, whether in a hospice, hospital or at home.Complete with a clear explanation of both counselling and medical terminology, this hands-on guide will be an invaluable companion to anyone working in palliative care.'A worthwile work that would be of value to any professional working in pallative care.'- Nursing Standard'This is a very practical guide to counselling in the palliative care setting. It is clearly written and well set out and the experiences of the author as a trained counsellor and palliative medicine specialist shines through.'- Palliative Care'A most useful text for anyone training to work in the palliative care field.'- International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care News'In this excellent book, Heyse-Moore draws on his experience as a practised listener and specialist in palliative medicine.'-The Church Times'This book will be a valuable addition to both personal bookshelves and to libraries. It will be valued by those working in pallative care and also particularly by those for whom speaking of dying remains a challenge.'- Plus Quarterly Magazine of Christian Council on Ageing'The author's years of experience as a palliative medicine specialist allows for an insider's view of how to work with the dying. From how to break the news of a terminal illness to a patient to euthanasia questions and working with other healthcare providers and family members, SPEAKING OF DYING is a recommended pick for any college-level collection strong in counseling guides.'-James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief, The Midwest Book Review