Charlie - An Unwanted Child? edited by Michael Jacobs. In In Search of a Therapist (series editors: M. Jacobs and M. Walker). Published by  Open University Press, Buckingham, 1995;  166 pages; £12.99. Peta - A Feminist's Problem with Men edited by Moira Walker. In In Search of a Therapist (series editors: M. Jacobs and M. Walker). Published by  Open University Press, Buckingham, 1995;  158 pages; £12.99.

These two books form part of a series of five in which therapists representing different types of therapy are given the transcript of an introductory interview with a potential client. The therapists may address questions to the client through a mediator and then write what they think is happening, how they would proceed in therapy, and make some prediction as to the outcome. The final chapter presents the client's views of what they say.

The aim is to explore different approaches in an inclusive way and to consider how some may be better suited to certain presenting issues and personalities. The two volumes presented a wide range of therapies: psychoanalytic, cognitive analytic, transactional analysis, Gestalt, person-centred, humanistic-transpersonal, integrative, art therapy, cognitive behavioural, feminist, group and brief psychotherapy. In spite of this spectrum, they shared certain elements in common. Understandably, all stressed the importance of the live encounter in any therapy relationship, though some more than others emphasized their sense of limitation in its absence. All took up the importance of loss in the presenting material, as well as early experiences and relationships. All mention the role of the individual client in the process of change.

For some, the social and political context plays an important and, in certain cases, crucial role. Several include behavioural styles of facilitating, either extensively or as part of a broader kit. This means that some styles are much more directive than others. Also, a number of them readily accept the conscious expression and experience of the client, or emphasize environmental failure rather than the notion of inner conflict and of the unconscious, which are fundamental to the analytic schools.

In this way, the books do provoke thought about models of being human and models of therapy. The therapists' comments bring to mind philosophical and clinical questions: what is innate, what is the self, what is real,