Suitable for mental health service users, their carers, students and mental health professionals, this book presents a frank introduction to the causes of mental health problems.

Hornstein bridges the gulf between medical explanations of psychiatric illness and the lived experiences of those given labels such as schizophrenia, bipolar illness, depression and paranoia. What emerges is a new model of understanding which asks not 'what's wrong with you' but 'what happened to you and how did you manage to survive?

It is sobering to think that this book, ground-breaking in 1996, still stands practically alone in looking at class, politics and counselling. This book has received unequivocally enthusiastic reviews in a wide range of journals. Many counsellor-educators have put it on their 'essential reading' list. Put it on yours now.

With over 100,000 copies sold, 'First Steps in Counselling' sets the standard for approachable, entry-level texts, mapping out the ground for those with little or no prior experience. The fourth edition brings this best-selling text up-to-date for today's introductory students.

We hear about the effects of early abandonment, abuse and lack of attachment, but find that children's experiences are sanitised through medical diagnoses and frequently the 'help' offered is prescription drugs. This book examines how children are hurt in modern society.

Queering Health will explore queer theory in the context of health and contemporary healthcare. From its original location as critique in the politics of sexuality, queer theory principles can usefully be extrapolated to inform contestations of other forms of normative and oppressive identity practices and the dynamics of exclusion.

Explores alternatives to psychiatry developed by people with direct experience of extreme crisis and psychiatric treatment. Describes the origins, development, challenges and politics that inspired these international survivor-led and survivor-run grassroots approaches.

Takes a closer look at the realities for people and how to deal with them. This title shows what may begin as a painful and unwanted experience can pave the way for new understandings and life chances and how psychiatric service users are coming together to bring about changes benefiting us all.