Anne's motivation for writing Counselling, Class and Politics back in 1996, was `to persuade readers to the view that politics and political ideas matter in counselling'. This new edition of the work contains a wide range of commentaries from practioners working in the world of counselling today, who all argue that Anne's message is as relevant today as it has always been. So too is driving belief of the author that counselling training, regulation and awareness in general too often fails to acknowledge the political environment that practitioners and their clients inhabit and its influence on the counselling relationship. Anne's book, accessible, unashamedly unapologetic and searching in the questions it asks of readers, is still a vibrant, challenging text for any student, practitioner or trainer today.

`... one gasp of fresh air amid the stifling pollution of this changing world... The book's challenging but ultimately hopeful message is as important now as when it was first published, perhaps more so. Inhale deeply.' - Andy Rogers, counselling service co-ordinator in further and higher education; `I have frequently heard class dismissed as no longer important... I find class as relevant today as I did in the 1990s. This new edition of Anne Kearney's book has a major contribution to make to the debate.' - Liz Ballinger, counselling MA programme director, University of Manchester

Anne Kearney was a freelance counsellor, supervisor and trainer. She spent many years teaching psychology and sociology in various settings from universities to further education and adult education centres. She developed a range of courses for adults returning to education as well as providing training for people wanting to develop alternative courses for adults