Books by Michael Jacobs

A collection of some of the papers and lectures written by the author over a period of thirty or more years. It looks at some important aspects of the author's discipline - principally psychodynamic psychotherapy, although always with reference to other forms of discourse such as literature and theology.

This book provides a concise, accessible, practical, step-by-step guide to the process of psychodynamic counselling from beginning to middle to end.

A fascinating journey through a single painting's history, meanings and associations by ';one of the great non-fiction writers of this and the last century' (Simon Schama, Financial Times).Acclaimed travel author and art historian Michael Jacobs was haunted by Velzquez's enigmatic masterpieceLas Meninasfrom first encountering it in the Prado as a teenager. InEverything is HappeningJacobs searches for the ultimate significance of the painting by following the many associations suggested by each of its characters, as well as his own relationship to the work.From Jacobs' first trip to Spain to the politics of Golden Age Madrid, to his meeting with the man who savedLas Meninasduring the Spanish Civil war, to his experiences in the sunless world of the art history academy, Jacobs delivers a brilliantly discursive meditation on art and life that dissolves the barriers between the past and the present, the real and the illusory. Cut short by Jacobs' death in 2014, and completed with an introduction and coda by his friend and fellow art lover, the journalist Ed Vulliamy, this visionary and often very funny book is a passionate, personal manifesto for the liberation of how we look at painting.

Provence is a land apart, a territory of outstanding beauty and distinction that has fascinated outsiders since earliest times. This title features photographs and accounts of the most beautiful villages of Provence such as Vaucluse and the Bouches-du-Rhone and more.

Discusses eight of Shakespeare's plays and the relationships between the main characters with them. This book is written for the thinking lay reader, and does not blind the ordinary reader with psychoanalytic terminology and concepts.

Intended primarily as a source of help for counsellors and therapists, who wish to enhance their capacity to offer help to those affected by problematic drug use, this work is written in a question and answer style. It also answers typical questions about alcohol and drug by a series of experts in the field.

An essential feature of counselling is the ability to listen and respond well to the information being given in an interview. In this book, the author shows how this ability may take away the need for leading and advising, creating a counselling encounter that is constructive and helpful.

All forms of psychotherapy deal with the limitations of our awareness. This book offers a comprehensive overview of the ways in which these discourses employ a rich variety of concepts to address the limits of our everyday consciousness.

Examines the questions of the environment, sustainable development and politics of the future

In refreshing contrast to most other books on Sigmund Freud, this is a highly accessible account of his life and ideas, which focuses on the relevance of Freud's work for contemporary approaches to counselling and psychotherapy.

Presents the life, contributions and influence of Donald Winnicott, child psychologist, psychoanalyst and paediatrician. The practical applications to counselling and psychotherapy of Winnicott's detailed theory of psychological development are explained in detail.