Jane D’Arcy is a professional counsellor who has worked in practice for a number of years. In addition to therapeutic work with individuals and families, she also runs professional development training for practitioners in the human services sector. Jane has a Masters degree in counselling and believes that the most effective catalyst to change is through conversations. This has led Jane to her role as a lecturer in Counselling at QUT (Queensland University of Technology). When not counselling, writing and training, Jane practices yoga and runs her little dog Henry through the beautiful bush of Mt Cootha in Brisbane. Adrian Holmes is a professional counsellor who has worked in practice with Jane for a number of years. In addition to therapeutic work with individuals and families, he also runs professional development training for practitioners in the human services sector and this is where the inspiration for this book has come from. Adrian has a Masters degrees in counselling and, like Jane, believes that the most effective catalyst to change is through conversations. This has led Adrian to his role as the Managing Director of a child and family counselling service in Brisbane called SKATTLE (Supporting Kids & Teens Through Life-changing Experiences). When not counselling, writing and training, Adrian loves running along the water near his Brisbane bayside home, especially with his two small children in the running pram.

"As a trainer of counsellors, I think this book is a stimulating resource for anyone interested in putting post-structuralist ideas into practice. I have met many people whose eyes simply glaze over when introduced to post-structuralism. All very interesting, they say, but how do you actually use it? What do you actually say to people? How could I use it in my situation? The authors address these questions in a readable and accessible way, providing a practical ‘SKILSS’ map that offers clear guidelines without being formulaic. As they suggest, it is not a matter of either-or. The helping professions exist in a structuralist or modern world, so the question becomes, how can we engage in constructive dialogue and offer useful poststructuralist contributions within it? The book will be valuable reading for both practitioners new to the field and, just as importantly, for those of us who want to re-acquaint ourselves with the energy and optimism that these approaches continue to offer." -- Roger Lowe, Senior Lecturer in Counselling, Queensland University of Technology