Title: The Spirit of Counsel
Description: Subtitled 'The Story of a Pioneer in Student Counselling', dedicated to the memory of Professor J.W. Tibble who influenced the course of her career

A mixture of autobiography (1908-1977, died 2008) and pioneering papers in the development of student counselling in Leicester, England.

In three sections:  Part I - Patterns of Preparation (autobiographical until her move to Leicester in 1948); Part II - Pioneering in Student Counselling (a number of professional papers in this area); Part III - Transitions (focusing more on her work with introverted intuitives (Jungian orientation) and including more autobiography, including personal spiritual background and experiences).

For those interested in the history of student counselling in Britain and the Commonwealth, probably a must-read.  For those interested in Mary's work with Ruth White (co-author of several books) and spiritual orientations probably the professional papers are not so important.

Mary held a unique position bridging the academic world, the new field of student counselling, and the increasing advent of diverse (also 'channelled') spiritual understandings into the English-speaking world.  

(Mary's scholarly mind and organisation of material enabled the 'Gildas teachings' given through Ruth to be prepared in a form suitable for publication.  She created a written context for these which covered several diverse approaches.  The writing, preparation and publication of these books, and experience with the preceding 'readers' group' to whom Mary had diligently circulated material previously, also probably gave Ruth an inside knowledge of the world of writing and publication which she has used with benefit in her own life.)

To see Ruth White's website, visit www.ruthwhite-gildas.co.uk .

Mary was an outstanding woman who did very important work in several diverse areas.  She integrated lots of approaches and understandings in her life, and made the fruits of them available to others.  Invaluable.

Someone to be honoured, acknowledged and remembered.
Subjects: Biography, Student counselors, Training of
Places: England
People: Mary Swainson
Time periods: 1908-1977 (life story), although she lived to celebrate her 100th birthday in 2008