Equality and Diversity in Counselling - Counselling Millennial Clients In Episode 220 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly take us through this week's three topics: In 'Counselling Foundations' Rory and Ken look at equality and diversity. Then in 'Focus on Self', we'll be thinking about supervision and being sure you have the right clinical supervisor for you. Lastly in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Amy Launder about counselling millennial clients. Equality and Diversity in Counselling [starts at 2:23 mins] Equality and diversity is an ever-changing subject that can be difficult to keep on top of, but it is vital to be aware of. The key points of this discussion include: The 2010 Equality Act, while important, isn't where your knowledge of equality and diversity should end. Challenges your frame of reference - we are people of our time and will be faced with things we may not have considered before now, or that feel unfamiliar. The importance of CPD - continuing your professional development as the name suggests. Your core training, although important, is just facts that will require developing. Ask questions to help you evolve. Choosing a Clinical Supervisor [starts at 16:07 mins] Clinical supervision is a vital aspect of your career as a counsellor and you want to make sure you're getting as much out of it as you possibly can. The key things to think about are: Choose your own clinical supervisor if you are able to - you're more likely to be honest and not hide clients if you're happy with your supervisor. Consider choosing a supervisor that challenges you - helps you to grow and maybe suggests areas for CPD. See who you find you connect with, have a pre-meeting with multiple supervisors and feel free to choose the one you feel suits you best. Ask questions about how they might supervise you in certain situations. When choosing a clinical supervisor, make sure they understand the modality you work under. Counselling Millennial Clients [starts at 32:55 mins] This week, Rory speaks with Amy Launder on counselling millennials, a term used to refer to people born between 1981-1995 (or some say up until 2000). The important points of this discussion include: Something commonly brought to therapy by millennials is trouble with decision-making - this is usually due to parents making decisions for them. They might have been affected by events that influence how safe they feel (e.g. 9/11) as these events would've been well publicised. Generational distress - lack of distress tolerance, struggle to deal with boredom, want 'quick fixes' for their problems. Be aware that this does include a degree of stereotyping, and millennials do have a wider field than others (some millennials may even have millennial parents for example). Some of the languages they use may be different - 'talking to someone' doesn't necessarily mean face-to-face anymore due to technology. Boundaries may be harder to establish with millennial clients - they may overshare or message you outside of session hours. A way to deal with this would be to show them they've been heard, but make them aware they need to hold onto it until their next session. Links and Resources Counselling Skills Academy Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide Counsellor CPD Counselling Study Resource Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide Counselling Tutor Shop Facebook group Website Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner's Guide Online and Telephone Counselling Course

How to Write Counselling Notes - Importance of Networking for Counsellors In Episode 219 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly go through this week's three topics: In 'Counselling Foundations' we'll be looking at note-taking. Then in 'Focus on Self', think about how to develop your network. And lastly in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Professor Mick Cooper on common factors in counselling. How to Write Counselling Notes [starts at 01:52 mins] When it comes to taking notes, everyone is likely to do it differently. However, there are a few important things to think about when it comes to taking and storing a client's notes: Purely factual information - no assumptions, guesses or interpretations. Take notes of themes more than detailed specifics after the session - you should be present during the session, not trying to copy down every word the client says. Maybe include any housekeeping e.g. the client arrived on time, the client has agreed and signed the contract. Keep notes in a locked cabinet - take extra precautions if you keep notes digitally. Consider keeping notes on a USB and placing that in a locked cabinet. When taking notes, consider that they may be looked at by someone, possibly the client. Importance of Networking for Counsellors [starts at 15:58 mins] When it comes to counselling, having a wide network can be a huge benefit to your practice. Some reasons for this include: Talking to a peer count as CPD. Being online now means you can speak with colleagues from further afield. Allows you to double-check, or ask for a second opinion. Almost like building a digital referral list. Common Factors in Counselling [starts at 26:48 mins] In this week's 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Professor Mick Cooper on the common factors in counselling. The key points of this discussion include: Common factors - certain 'ingredients' in therapy that are the effective ones. Worrying less about the model used and more about specific 'ingredients' e.g. empathy, congruence, transference, self-disclosure etc. The most important factor in counselling is still the client and their personal motivation and engagement with the therapy - how willing they are to change. Client preferences - tailoring the therapy instead of just following a model. Links and Resources Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide Counsellor CPD Counselling Study Resource Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide Counselling Tutor Shop Facebook group Website Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner's Guide Online and Telephone Counselling Course

Special Edition - New Changes in the National Counselling Society In this week's special edition of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Rory Lees-Oakes speaks with Jyles Robillard-Day of the National Counselling Society (NCS) about some new changes within the NCS that you can look forward to: A change in name - from the National Counselling Society (NCS) to the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS). The launching of a new website. And finally, a new sub-register. Changing Name: From NCS to NCPS [starts at 01:24 mins] Some members of the NCS identify as psychotherapists but felt they weren't being represented in the name. Through a democratic vote between the members, it was decided that a name change was needed for better representation of all members and better representation to the public. However, this will be a long process full of changes - but members are asked not to do anything yet and await an email with further information. New NCS Website [starts at 07:11 mins] Focused on making the website more accessible and easy to navigate for the general public, members, and potential clients. Work towards making the counselling directory a fantastic resource - being able to find support easily. Making an easier pathway for the public to find the therapist for them. New NCS Sub-Register [starts at 10:00 mins] Launching a new sub-register for counselling children and young people is one of the upcoming changes in the NCS. You'll have to already be a member of the NCS (soon to be NCPS), and provide evidence of additional skills and competencies to work with children and young people. This will help make it easier for children and young people to get the help and support they may need. As a part of SCoPEd since 2020, the NCS took their members concerns into account and the Jan 2022 framework was released. There is now less academic language and more talk of the therapeutic relationship. The release of this year's framework was Phase One. Now working on Phase Two, there are three key elements: An impact assessment of the new framework. Putting names to the three framework columns (currently just A, B and C). And looking at mechanisms to allow people to transition up the columns such as experience, CPD, and other learning - making sure all SCoPEd partners have the same mechanisms. Links and Resources NCS website Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide Counsellor CPD Counselling Study Resource Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide Counselling Tutor Shop Facebook group Website Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner's Guide Online and Telephone Counselling Course

Why Did You Become a Helper? - Learning from Our Mistakes In Episode 218 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly discuss this week's three topics: In 'Counselling Foundations', we'll look at the importance of knowing why you want to work in the service of others. Then in 'Focus on Self', Rory and Ken discuss learning from our mistakes. And lastly in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Marion Elkin-Greener about counselling clients with addiction. Why Did You Become a Helper? [starts at 02:07 mins] Knowing why you've chosen to work in the service of others will help you develop a level of understanding and motivation to do well. The key points of this section include: When you have a strong 'why', the 'how' you do things will fall into place. When it gets hard or lonely, you can look back to your 'why'. Make sure you're in a position to help others - you're putting yourself in emotional harm's way. You will require emotional robustness. Self-evaluation - be honest with, and know yourself fully. Learning from Our Mistakes [starts at 15:33 mins] Everybody makes mistakes; it's owning up to them and deciding how to move forwards that matters. The main factors of this discussion are: Reflexivity - reflect, think over your actions and what you can do better in the future. Own up to mistakes - this allows you to move past them, most mistakes can often be resolved with an apology. Most mistakes are made without malice or intention. We're just human, it's natural to make mistakes. Counselling Clients with Addiction [starts at 30:31 mins] This week, Rory speaks with Marion Elkin-Greener on treating clients suffering from addiction. The key points include: Working with addictions requires extra training, but the core needs don't change (empathy, positive regard etc.) There are differences in how you treat each form of addiction e.g. you will treat an alcohol addiction differently from drug addiction. There is slang you'll have to adapt to and recognise. It's referred to as treatment - goal centered. Family therapy - addiction often affects those around the client. Relapse will be a part of the recovery process - it's important the client is aware of this to help prevent feelings of shame and failure. Educate clients on other websites etc. that they can go to for additional help and support. When counselling clients with addiction, it's vital to have an open mind and be non-judgemental. Links and Resources Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide Counsellor CPD Counselling Study Resource Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide Counselling Tutor Shop Facebook group Website Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner's Guide Online and Telephone Counselling Course

Planning Your CPD as a Counsellor - Bereavement Due to COVID-19 In episode 217 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly are back discussing three more topics: In this week's 'Counselling Foundations', we'll look at radical empathy. Next in 'Focus on Self', Rory and Ken discuss how to plan your CPD. And lastly, Rory speaks with Dr. John Wilson on bereavement due to COVID-19. Radical Empathy in Counselling [starts at 1:56 mins] Radical empathy is a required skill for counselling clients that don't share your values or that you could find incredibly challenging to empathise with. The key discussions in this section include: To cultivate radical empathy when counselling, make sure you're pushing aside prejudices. This is an advanced form of empathy - it will be difficult. Treat it carefully, make sure you're qualified and have good supervision. Look past who they are and what they've done to recognise them as a fellow human being. Planning Your CPD as a Counsellor [starts at 19:00 mins] CPD is an essential part of your journey as a counsellor; improving yourself and broadening your knowledge will serve as a benefit in your career. The main points of this segment include: You're learning and bettering yourself for your clients. It is the best way you can serve your client. The more you learn about your practice, the more you will learn about yourself. You can talk with your supervisor and ask them about any recommendations they may have for CPD that will help you to improve. Bereavement Due to COVID-19 [starts at 35:43 mins] In this week's 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Dr. John Wilson on bereavement caused by COVID: COVID bereavement has certain differences from regular bereavement such as greater levels of trauma, feelings of guilt and difficulties in making sense of their loss. Clients will often suffer from rumination - thoughts going round and round as they try to make sense of something. You will help the client to create a new relationship with their deceased loved one. Bereavement counselling takes time and patience. All grief is unique and individual. Links and Resources Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide Counsellor CPD Counselling Study Resource Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide Counselling Tutor Shop Facebook group Website Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner's Guide Online and Telephone Counselling Course

The Skill of Challenge - When Friends Ask for Counselling In Episode 216 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly discuss this week's three topics: In 'Counselling Foundations' we'll look at the skill of challenging. Then in 'Focus on Self', we move on to how to deal with friends and acquaintances once they discover your career. And finally in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Jo Mountain about insurance for counsellors and psychotherapists. The Skill of Challenge [starts at 1:25 mins] Sometimes challenging the client during your practice becomes necessary and in this section, Rory and Ken discuss the situations this may come into play: If a client is clearly under the influence and not in a suitable state to undergo the session or late to a session without notice, it may be necessary to challenge them on this. Not doing things that would benefit them such as homework you've set will hamper progress and open the opportunity for challenge. When it comes to person-centred therapy, you could challenge incongruence within the client. In recovery counselling, there can be a high level of challenge necessary as a part of the process. Challenging is something that needs to be practised. When Friends Ask for Counselling [starts at 19:37 mins] Dealing with those closest to you can sometimes become difficult when they are made aware of your career as a counsellor. It's important that you know how to deal with this when faced with it. The key points of this discussion include: Start as you mean to go on within the relationship. Explain why you are unable to be a counsellor for your friends and that counselling is a managed activity. Be careful that you don't unconsciously slip into the process. Ethically you can't counsel a friend or family member. Practice with peers, not at home. Be aware that when speaking with friends you naturally have an unavoidable bias. Importance of Insurance for Counsellors [starts at 30:51 mins] This week, Rory speaks with Jo Mountain from Howden Insurance on the importance of having insurance as a counsellor and psychotherapist. Having insurance is primarily optional. There are two essentials when it comes to insurance within your counselling practice: Complaints defense - if you receive a complaint that results in a poor outcome, it could seriously effect and reduce your career. Civil action - puts your personal wealth at risk. Insurance provides support - helping to respond to complaints and attend hearings if a complaint manages to get that far. Can cover working from home. Reduced rates for students and premiums for members of ethical bodies, (specific to Howden). Helpful third-party partners. Howden won't insure deliberate actions, or if there was prior knowledge of a situation e.g. complaint. Links and Resources Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide Counsellor CPD Counselling Study Resource Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide Counselling Tutor Shop Facebook group Website Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner's Guide Online and Telephone Counselling Course Howden Insurance for Therapists and Counsellors

Preparing for Endings in Counselling - Planning Your Career as a Therapist In Episode 215 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly return with this week's three topics: In 'Counselling Foundations', we talk about endings. Next in 'Focus on Self', we look at your career as a therapist. And lastly in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Erene Hadjiioannou on pre-trial therapy. Preparing for Endings in Counselling [starts at 2:57 mins] Counselling is full of endings, and knowing how to best prepare both your clients and yourself for them is an important part of the process. Key points discussed in this section include: Endings start at the beginning - ensure your client is aware that they have a set amount of time with you. It's important to find the balance between an abrupt ending and dragging things on too long. How you go about ending things links to your attachment style - be aware of your own attachment style. You're looking to create independence within your client as you work with them, not dependence. Remind the client how many sessions they have left, this will allow them to make the best of the time they have with you. The three stages of ending: Assessing a client's readiness to end. Acknowledging that for the client, this is the end of a relationship. Empowering the client. Remember that endings welcome a new beginning. Planning Your Career as a Therapist [starts at 21:38 mins] Within the career of therapy, it is important to know your options. By exploring their own experiences, Rory and Ken discuss the wide range of experiences available: Counselling can be a portfolio career -doesn't have to just be being in private practice. Branch out and build experience, this will 'season' you as a therapist. Seize as many opportunities as you can - they will all build up your own experience and make you more employable. Pre-Trial Therapy [starts at 36:58 mins] *The guidance on pre-trial therapy has changed since this episode was broadcast. For the latest guidance, please listen to the upcoming episode 242. In this week's 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Erene Hadjiioannou about pre-trial therapy - specific to the UK. The main points of this discussion include: Guidance is set by the Crown Prosecution Service that we are ethically required to stick to when working with the victim of any crime. The client can't discuss details of the ongoing case due to evidence. They can however, discuss the impact of what they're going through. Therapy notes may be asked for in order to check evidence aligns. Use umbrella terms when taking notes in order to protect privacy e.g. 'sexual violence' instead of 'rape'. Don't speculate within your notes. Requests for therapy notes can be turned down. Instead of sending notes, there is an option to write a summary instead - it's a good idea to give a copy of this to your client, as it is information very personal to them. It's rare that a therapist will be asked to go into court. Don't be shy to ask what your responsibilities are. Links and Resources Counselling Skills Academy Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide Counsellor CPD Counselling Study Resource Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide Counselling Tutor Shop Facebook group Website Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner's Guide Online and Telephone Counselling Course Pre-Trial Therapy Resources Draft Guidance on Pre-Trial Therapy When Survivors of Domestic and Sexual Abuse Report to the Police: A Professional's Perspective Survivors of Domestic and Sexual Abuse: Challenging Pre-Trial Therapy Guidelines Pre-Trial Therapy: A Crucial Moment Psychotherapy with Survivors of Sexual Violence: Inside and Outside the Room (book by Erene Hadjiioannou)

The Skill of Questioning in Counselling - Leaving Client Material Behind In Episode 214 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, listen as Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly discuss this week's three topics: In this episode's 'Counselling Foundations', Rory and Ken look at the skill of appropriate questioning. Next in 'Focus on Self', we think about leaving client material behind. And lastly in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with James Taylor on social media considerations for therapists, with a focus on online etiquette. The Skill of Questioning in Counselling [starts at 02:03 mins] Your approach to asking questions will differ depending on the modality of your practice, and understanding the type of question necessary is an important skill. In this section, Rory and Ken discuss the difference between these questions and the key points include: When it comes to person-centred therapy, you ask questions in order to clarify your own understanding and align your frame of reference with the client. Don't ask to satisfy your own curiosity - think about who you're asking the question for. In CBT, the questions will be more directive and probing. You will need to ask difficult questions in order to assess risk. Socratic questioning - introduces a level of discomfort. Be mindful that a question can move a client out of feeling and into thought. Leaving Client Material Behind [starts at 17:53 mins] An important step in developing your practice is finding a way of leaving client material behind. Through sharing personal experiences, Rory and Ken discuss this topic. The main points of this section include: If a client's material is sticking with you for over 48 hours, you should discuss it with your supervisor. Be aware of transference. Develop a process of setting aside this client material - maybe through journaling or process notes. Counselling requires a level of emotional robustness, but sometimes things can break through. Highlights the importance of undergoing your own personal therapy. Social Media Considerations for Therapists [starts at 31:11 mins] This week, Rory speaks with James Taylor on social media considerations and online etiquette for therapists. » Watch our FREE lecture on Social Media Etiquette for Counsellors and Counsellors in Training here. « The key points discussed are as follows: Be mindful that it won't just affect you, but also your practice. Have a quick reread before you post anything on social media. When using social media, consider that you're representing the counselling profession as a whole. Think about how you appear to others from an outside perspective. Consider having your account visible to just your friends. Remember that online, things can very easily be misunderstood. Links and Resources Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide Counsellor CPD Counselling Study Resource Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide Counselling Tutor Shop Facebook group Website Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner's Guide Online and Telephone Counselling Course

Relational Depth in Counselling - Dealing with Failure In Episode 213 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly discuss this week's three new topics: In 'Counselling Foundations', Rory and Ken explore the relational depth. Then in 'Focus on Self', we think about failure. And finally in this week's 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Daniel Hand on introducing role-playing games (RPGs) in therapy. Relational Depth in Counselling [starts at 02:54 mins] Relational depth is connecting with each other in a meaningful way, not necessarily just in therapy. In this section, Rory and Ken look further into this idea of relational depth, and the key points include: It's a moment of deep relation and connection. It isn't a goal to strive towards; it's something you and your client may shift in and out of. Requires them to be the centre of your attention, fully tuning into them. Really seeing and trying to understand another human being. It can be hampered by agenda - trying to 'fix' the client and only focusing on exercising theory and skills will hinder this relational depth. Dealing with Failure [starts at 17:22 mins] Through sharing their personal experiences with the word failure, Rory and Ken discuss ways to overcome this mindset and reinforce the importance of not giving up. The key points mentioned in this section include: Thinking about your own relationship with the word failure and possibly changing what it means to you. Failure doesn't have to be viewed as something you've done wrong. Failure is simply the process of finding the right way - you will always learn from it. Don't give up, you never know how close you are to the end. Using Role-Playing Games in Therapy [starts at 28:54 mins] This week, Rory speaks with Daniel Hand about how he has introduced using role-playing games or RPGs to his counselling practice. The main points of this discussion include: Role-playing games provide an escape from the real world for the client. RPGs enable them to put things at arm's length. Allows the client to make mistakes without real-life consequences. Can help the client to practice decision making. The client can learn from their character. Utilises projection and empathy. Simply put - it's fun. Links and Resources Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide Counsellor CPD Counselling Study Resource Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide Counselling Tutor Shop Facebook group Website Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner's Guide Online and Telephone Counselling Course

The Skill of Summarising - Managing Personal Relationships during Counselling Training In Episode 212 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly take us through this week's three topics: In this episode's 'Counselling Foundations', Rory and Ken discuss the skill of summarising. Next, in 'Focus on Self' we'll look at managing our personal relationships. And finally in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Michelle Harrison-Lee on psychosexual therapy. The Skill of Summarising [starts at 2:07 mins] Listen as Rory and Ken discuss the benefits and applications of the skill of summarising: It can be used at the end of sessions to collate information and tie things together. It is a wide skill - different from the skill of paraphrasing. Shows the client that they've been heard and paid attention to. Gives both you and the client a map of where you've been during sessions and shows an emotional journey. It is helpful to have things like this written down so your client can look back on it. Gives an opportunity for the client to say if anything has been misinterpreted. It is a skill that goes beyond simply noting the narrative - you have to be able to capture the emotions too. Managing Personal Relationships during Counselling Training [starts at 20:35 mins] As you go through your training, and life in general, you will change and adapt. This can impact the relationships you have with those around you and in this section, Rory and Ken share some of their personal experiences with this. The main points of this discussion include: You will experience personal growth, bringing with it new perspectives and realisations. These changes will require courage and can be painful. You may find yourself no longer trying to fit in with the crowd you were once a part of. Accepting that this is your true self, even if it means you now feel out of place. You don't have to form yourself to fit into people's impressions or expectations of you. Psychosexual Therapy [starts at 35:52 mins] In today's 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Michelle Harrison-Lee on psychosexual therapy. Some of the key points from this section include: It is a positive psychology. There is a long assessment period for clients. The internet and social media provide unrealistic and misinforming views of sex. You're creating an environment in order to help the client build an erotic environment. Psychosexual therapy requires you to be more directive and curious, asking your client about their experiences. You provide homework tasks that the client should be prepared to fail and try again. Links and Resources Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide Counsellor CPD Counselling Study Resource Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide Counselling Tutor Shop Facebook group Website Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner's Guide Online and Telephone Counselling Course

Choosing Your Ethical Body - Engaging with Supervision In Episode 211 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly return with three more topics: First in 'Counselling Foundations', Ken and Rory will go over self-disclosure and immediacy in counselling. Then in 'Focus on Self', we'll look at choosing your ethical body. And finally in this week's 'Practice Matters', Ken will speak with our very own Rory Lees-Oakes on his upcoming lecture about engaging with supervision. Self-Disclosure and Immediacy in Counselling [starts in 1:55 mins] In this week's 'Counselling Foundations', listen as Rory and Ken discuss the skill of immediacy and the important role it can play in the relationship with your client when used correctly. In this discussion on self-disclosure and immediacy in counselling, the key points raised include: Immediacy is a therapeutic skill - used to cement, repair and strengthen the therapeutic relationship. Brings in your own frame of reference. Speaking about the unspoken - allows the client to see you differently. You must be thoughtful about what you disclose and how. It takes maturity in the therapeutic relationship with the client - it is a skill that will sharpen as it goes on. Requires a built-up relationship before it can be used. Choosing Your Ethical Body [starts in 19:27 mins] In this section, Rory and Ken discuss choosing the ethical body that's right for you - and recognising that you do have a choice when it comes to picking the one that most aligns with your values: Check that you're choosing a professional ethical body, not an organisation. Have a look at their websites and talk with your peers. Choose one that aligns with the values that you uphold in your practice. Look at what benefits they offer. Take the time to look around - even if you currently have a body that you've been with for a while. Engaging with Supervision [starts 30:49 mins] In today's 'Practice Matters', Ken speaks with Rory Lees-Oakes about his upcoming lecture on engaging with supervision, which will be free for anyone to attend on the 2nd January 2022. The key points of this section include: Understanding what supervision is about will help you make the most of your own supervision. Your supervisor needs to be someone you can trust and communicate with. You want a supervisor who understands that counselling is relational, not procedural. It's okay to change your supervisor - what got you here, might not get you there. Links and Resources Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide Counsellor CPD Counselling Study Resource Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide Counselling Tutor Shop Facebook group Website Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner's Guide Online and Telephone Counselling Course

Attending in Counselling - Crying with Your Client In Episode 210 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly discuss this week's three topics: In this episode's 'Counselling Foundations', we look at attending when a client first arrives. Next in 'Focus on Self', Rory and Ken discuss crying with your client. And lastly in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Sally Openshaw on erotic transference in therapy. Attending in Counselling [starts in 1:35 mins] Greeting your client when they first arrive can be a crucial but forgotten step of the counselling process and in this section, Rory and Ken discuss some of the ways you can fulfill this initial interaction and the reasons it can be deemed so important: Making sure your client is comfortable. Human to human interaction, checking in with your client. Normalising the environment in order to create the safest space possible. Active attending - being present. Crying with Your Client [starts in 9:55 mins] Sometimes the material a client brings with them can be emotionally provoking, and being able to deal with this in a professional manner is important. The key points discussed on this topic include: Empathy is natural. Tears express emotion - both the good and the bad. Be aware of where this emotion is coming from - is it empathy or transference? Ask yourself if your tears are for your client or for your own situation. Think about what your tears will say to your client. Recognise the difference between shedding a tear and bursting into tears - be aware of what you can handle, explore this in supervision. Welcome the emotion, but in a professional and informed manner. Erotic Transference in Therapy [starts in 20:37 mins] This week, Rory speaks with Sally Openshaw on erotic transference. The key points outlined in this discussion include: Erotic transference in therapy shouldn't be ignored - you need to know how to manage it. As a therapist, we set up the perfect environment for erotic transference. Learning the importance of your initial reaction and how you can develop this in order to deal with it better. Talk about it in supervision or in peer groups. Links and Resources Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide Counsellor CPD Counselling Study Resource Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide Counselling Tutor Shop Facebook group Website Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner's Guide Online and Telephone Counselling Course

Building a Therapeutic Relationship - Counselling through Personal Adversity In Episode 209 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly discuss this week's three topics: In 'Counselling Foundations' this week, Rory and Ken look at the therapeutic relationship. Next in 'Focus on Self', we look at counselling through your own adversity. And finally, in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Caroline Peacock about working as a school counsellor with children and young people. Building a Therapeutic Relationship [starts in 1:37 mins] Your relationship with a client can be the backbone of your sessions, and in this section, Rory and Ken discuss the key things to remember when building this therapeutic relationship: Establishing solid boundaries - will allow you to be your best self in the therapy room. Being present, actively listening and ensuring you're not tuning out. Managing transference. Recognising that the relationship can breakdown and being able to repair it. Being careful of self-disclosure and radical empathy. Counselling through Personal Adversity [starts in 20:15 mins] In order to be in the best service of the client, you yourself should be in the best condition you can. In this section, Rory and Ken share their own personal experiences to help with what you can do when counselling through your own adversity: Ask yourself how it is impacting you, are you able to bracket it off when with a client? How it is dealt with will all depend on you-it is something that differs for each individual. Discuss it with your supervisor in order to decide what is best for you going forward. Working as a School Counsellor [starts in 33:17 mins] This week, Rory speaks with Caroline Peacock, a school counsellor of 3 years, about how working with children and young people differs from working with adults in a school setting: In general, children and young people can be more trusting, they will go with the energy of the room. Gillick competence - rely on your own assessment, it will not always align with their biological age, it is all about how you feel they present. School counselling requires an integrative approach with multiple skills. Be present within the safe space you have created. Set out boundaries. After talking about it with the child, it is best to maintain strong communication with parents and carers. Know and understand your own, and all attachment styles. Links and Resources Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide Counsellor CPD Counselling Study Resource Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide Counselling Tutor Shop Facebook group Website Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner's Guide Online and Telephone Counselling Course

Importance of Rapport in Counselling - Managing Your Inner Therapist In Episode 208 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly discuss this week's three topics: Today's 'Counselling Foundations' will discuss the importance of rapport in counselling. Next in 'Focus on Self', we'll discuss managing your inner therapist. And finally in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Kate Williams on relational depth and trauma. Importance of Rapport in Counselling [starts in 01:36 mins] Building rapport is how we begin a relationship with our clients, making it an important skill to be aware of when in the therapy room. During this section, Rory and Ken discuss the importance of rapport, and how it can be built with your clients. Showing interest, genuine care, actively listening, and looking through the client's frame of reference you can begin to build up this rapport and trust with your client. Rapport is a foundation-building skill that takes time to develop. We see rapport in sales and customer service - however, this rapport is in an attempt to gain something, not in service of the client. Creates feelings of kinship and belonging. The relationship needs to be able to withstand challenges. Being prepared before your session can help to start building rapport. Silence is a key rapport building skill. Think about rapport in your own life, journal about it, and speak about it in supervision in order to support your own growth. Managing Your Inner Therapist [starts in 19:49 mins] Knowing how to control your inner therapist is an essential skill as a counsellor and in this section, Rory and Ken discuss their own personal experiences with this topic. The key points of this discussion include: The importance of turning off your inner therapist in situations it isn't warranted. Keeping your counselling in the therapy room provides necessary control, control that you don't have in everyday conversations. Only taking on clients professionally is a form of self-care that prevents you from taking on too much. Knowing when to reel back these therapeutic skills that you possess. Think in advance of how you might avoid one of these situations - have an 'escape plan'. Relational Depth and Trauma [starts in 36:24 mins] In this week's 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Kate Williams on building relational depth with traumatised clients, and how this may differ from regular clients. The key points discussed In this segment on relational depth and trauma include: Only when a therapist can be at home in their own body, can a client feel that too, and begin to feel safe in their own body - which they can then transfer into their own relationships. Mirroring the client, showing them themselves from a therapist point of view could help them to understand themselves better. It requires consistency over time to be able to build up this relationship. Links and Resources Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide Counsellor CPD Counselling Study Resource Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide Counselling Tutor Shop Facebook group Website Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner's Guide Online and Telephone Counselling Course

First Counselling Session - Counselling Paperwork In Episode 207 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly return with your favourite three sections: This week's 'Counselling Foundations' looks at the first counselling sessions - both your first session as a counsellor and the first session with each client. Then in 'Focus on Self', Rory and Ken discuss the wounded healer counsellor. And finally in this week's 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Tamara Howell about paperwork. First Counselling Session [starts in 1:50 mins] First counselling sessions are bound to be nerve-racking, whether it's your first session with a new client or the first session of your professional career. In this segment, Rory and Ken share personal advice and experiences on first counselling sessions: Doing your best and being yourself are the most important things to remember. Remembering to sort out contracting the first time you meet with a client, you can even practice this with a peer. Silence and active listening - two of the most important skills you should be bringing into the therapy room. Acknowledging that by the time you get into the practice room, you're good enough. You have earned the right to be there. Those feelings of nervousness are a sign of your passion. The Wounded Healer Counsellor [starts in 19:50 mins] In this week's Focus on Self, Rory and Ken discuss the term 'the wounded healer' and share things to be cautious of when you meet yourself in the therapy room: Be careful of over self-disclosure. You should avoid projecting yourself onto the client. Make sure you're sufficiently healed to work with a client. Use your own experiences as a source of empathy - not as a way to solve your client's situation. Aim to be the person you wanted during your own crisis. Think about your own 'why'. Why did you decide to work in the service of others? Counselling Paperwork [starts in 36:06 mins] Rory speaks to Tamara Howell, a good friend of Counselling Tutor with an enthusiasm for something others tend to dread - paperwork. The key points from this discussion are as follows: Paperwork is there to protect the client, and to protect us. Having things in writing can help you to be present and focus on the client. Tamara's bare minimums of paperwork such as contact details, a therapy contract/agreement (outlining things such as boundaries), a welcome note, and informed consent. Working online requires more paperwork (on privacy, environment and security etc.). The importance of emergency contact paperwork. Being prepared gives you confidence. Paperwork is in the service of the client. Links and Resources The Myth of Chiron, the Wounded Healer Tamara Howell's Resources for Counsellors Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide Counsellor CPD Counselling Study Resource Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide Counselling Tutor Shop Facebook group Website Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner's Guide Online and Telephone Counselling Course

Contracting in Counselling - Clothing and Counselling In Episode 206 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly discuss three more topics to help you with your counselling journey. 'Counselling Foundations' returns with this week's topic, contracting in counselling and its importance. 'Focus on Self' is looking at clothing in counselling. And finally, 'Practice Matters' is back with Rory speaking to Martin Smith about compassion fatigue in counselling. Contracting in Counselling [starts at 1:44 mins] Contracting in counselling has for the most part shifted from verbal contracts to paper contracts that must be read and signed. In this section, Rory and Ken will discuss the pros of having a contract between you and your client, and things you should be aware of when creating one: A contract is there in service of the client and the relationship you have with them. It helps the client to feel safe, eradicates the risk of surprise. A contract is there if things happen to go terribly wrong. Things that need to be covered by your contract eg. confidentiality. A contract is being honest; the relationship with your client develops from there. Think of it as a part of the therapy. Be mindful of the client - ask if they understand. A contract levels the playing field, creates a mutual understanding. Clothing and Counselling [starts at 23:10 mins] In this section, Rory and Ken discuss the impact clothing can have in the therapy room, and why it's a good idea to be mindful. Clothing has a psychological message. Consider what your clothing could mean to someone. We subconsciously evaluate people using their clothing. The importance of being mindful and just giving it an extra thought. Compassion Fatigue in Counselling [starts at 34:15 mins] In this week's Practice Matters, Rory is speaking with Martin Smith on compassion fatigue, something that can happen to anyone in an emotionally strenuous line of work. The key points discussed include: Compassion fatigue is like 'running out of steam'. A sign you could be starting to feel compassion fatigue in counselling work includes an increasing sense of dread or insecurity, feelings of relief when a client cancels etc. Make use of your supervision and your peers - other people can see it before we can. Make sure you're paying attention to your self-care, monitor how many clients you take on and manage your workload. Links and Resources Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide Counsellor CPD Counselling Study Resource Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide Counselling Tutor Shop Facebook group Website Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner's Guide Online and Telephone Counselling Course

Id, Ego, and Superego - Importance of Personal Therapy for Counsellors Returning with Episode 205 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly discuss three more topics for you to listen in on: In this week's 'Counselling Foundations' we'll be focusing on the work of Sigmund Freud on id, ego and superego. Next in 'Focus on Self' we'll be exploring the purpose of personal therapy. And finally in 'Practice Matters' this week, Rory speaks with Robyn Symonds on how to become a counsellor in the US, and how training and practice differ from the UK. Id, Ego, and Superego [starts at 1:38 mins] During this segment, Rory and Ken set out the basics of id, ego and superego, helping to give a better understanding of these concepts in more detail through easy discussion. The key points explored include: Ego as the middle ground. Superego refers to morals, ethics and principles. Id is a subconscious process. Plato's original ideas in relation to Freud's work. We're not wholly biological, our personalities are shaped by our experiences. Benefits of Personal Therapy to Counsellors [starts at 13:37 mins] Listen as Rory and Ken outline the benefits of personal therapy, both for yourself and for your clients, not just during training but perhaps even during your practice. Points covered include: Personal therapy creates a safety net. Can help you gain an understanding of the client's perspective. Can help when your own wounds are opened by new theories you may be learning. Be sure to take your full self into therapy in order to get the most out of it. Training is incredibly demanding, personal therapy may be a way to help you manage that. There is strength in seeking therapy. How to Become a Counsellor in the US [starts at 27:02 mins] In this week's Practice Matters, join Rory as he speaks with Robyn Symonds on how to become a counsellor in the US. In this segment, they discuss some of the differences and similarities in counsellor training and practice: Regulation can vary in each state - clinical hours, tests, some states have levels of licensing, etc. Need a 4-year degree before you take a counselling master's degree Will take around 2.5-3 years 700 hours of clinical practice The American Counselling Association create a code of ethics that is then regulated by each state. A difference between certification and licensure - licensure includes what you call yourself and what you can do, etc. Links and Resources Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide Counsellor CPD Counselling Study Resource Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide Counselling Tutor Shop Facebook group Website Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner's Guide Online and Telephone Counselling Course

In this week's special edition podcast, Rory Lees-Oakes speaks with Heather Price of the Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (CPCAB) on the exciting introduction of a new level 5 qualification - Counselling Children and Young People (11-18). The details of this new specialised CPCAB qualification that are discussed include: This specific training is necessary to work with young people, especially due to tricky areas such as confidentiality and consent. Before being able to take this course, a good grounding is needed beforehand. As it is a level 5 qualification, you will already be a qualified counseller before choosing to specialise - it requires knowledge, skills and training. It includes 20 hours of personal therapy as working with other people's childhoods may trigger something from your own. It is a regulated qualification. It is in partnership with the Open University. It includes 120 flexible guided learning hours which will take one year to complete. Links and Resources CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People (CYP-L5) CPCAB Application Form for Centre Recognition Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide Counsellor CPD Counselling Study Resource Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide Counselling Tutor Shop Facebook group Website Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner's Guide Online and Telephone Counselling Course

Barriers in Communication - Applying Theory to Self In Episode 204 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly return with three new topics of discussion: In today's 'Counselling Foundations' we look at barriers in communication. Then in 'Focus on Self', Rory and Ken discuss applying theories to self. And finally in 'Practice Matters', Rory and Chloe Swinton discuss what is ambiguous loss. Barriers in Communication [starts at 1:40 mins] Counselling is all about communication, but sometimes there are certain things that can get in the way such as simply not listening or not knowing how to respond. In this section, Rory and Ken take us through the different types of barriers in communication, and how they're caused: External barriers such as environmental disruption e.g. roadworks, background noise. Internal barriers such as hearing difficulties - thinking about whether your client knows what you're saying, or if they are able to lip-read. Cultural barriers, class barriers, barriers in terms of technology. Is there a topic you find difficult to discuss or something that makes you uncomfortable? How the use of jargon and abbreviations can leave a member of the conversation feeling lost or misunderstood. Barriers can come from both the speaker and the listener - be aware of this and recognise when a barrier occurs and be sure to find a way to deal with it. Applying Theory to Self [starts at 26:47 mins] Knowing certain theories is incredibly important as a counsellor, but it's even more important to be able to apply these theories. This week, Rory and Ken share how applying these theories to yourself can solidify your understanding: Allows you to have a better understanding of yourself. Gives opportunity for personal development and growth. By helping yourself, you can help others - developing empathy. How it can be the final step in helping you to fully understand the theory. What is Ambiguous Loss: An Introduction for Counsellors [starts at 43:39 mins] This week Rory spoke with Chloe Swinton about what is ambiguous loss, something that everybody experiences at some point in their life, but not many people are aware of. In this discussion, the main points explored include: The two types of ambiguous loss: Psychological absence with physical presence e.g. dementia. Physical absence with psychological presence e.g. missing people, divorce. Ambiguous loss is stressful loss. Can be caused by a lack of closure. Can appear when you have been prevented from grieving, or saying goodbye. Caused by external issues. People dealing with ambiguous loss may isolate themselves, not accept their loss, etc. Links and Resources Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide Counsellor CPD Counselling Study Resource Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide Counselling Tutor Shop Facebook group Website Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner's Guide Online and Telephone Counselling Course

Importance of Ethics in Counselling - Knowing your Attachment Style In Episode 203 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly discuss this week's three segments: 'Counselling Foundations' - where we look at why ethics are important. 'Focus on Self' - where we look at knowing your attachment style. And finally in today's 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Karen Lawrence about counselling clients with sex addiction. Importance of Ethics in Counselling [starts at 1:33 mins] The very basics of ethics can be boiled down to doing the right thing, but during this section, Rory and Ken will discuss in greater depth the importance of having an ethical framework. The key topics discussed include: Making sure everything you do is in service of the client. Outlining your boundaries. Recognising that ethics exist to mitigate and monitor risk. Ethics are an important method of standardisation. Consider the possibility of making your ethics known to the client. Ensure you're familiar with the correct ethical conduct. Importance of Ethics in Counselling [starts at 1:33 mins] The very basics of ethics can be boiled down to doing the right thing, but during this section, Rory and Ken will discuss in greater depth the importance of having an ethical framework. The key topics discussed include: Making sure everything you do is in service of the client. Outlining your boundaries. Recognising that ethics exist to mitigate and monitor risk. Ethics are an important method of standardisation. Consider the possibility of making your ethics known to the client. Ensure you're familiar with the correct ethical conduct. Knowing Your Attachment Style [starts at 16:40 mins] Attachment styles are the different ways in which we as individuals trust others. In today's podcast, Rory and Ken discuss the different attachment styles and the importance of being aware of your own attachment style. The key points include: Recognising that it's a subconscious process. The importance of knowing your own attachment style - the process being 'seen' may take away some of its power. The 5 different attachment styles and what they mean for the individual's relationships with others. Links to the Coventry Grid: The Coventry ASD vs Attachment Problems Grid Modification of the Coventry Grid Interview to include the Pathological Demand Avoidant profile Counselling Clients with Sex Addiction [starts at 30:58 mins] Rory speaks with Karen Lawrence who shares her knowledge on recognising those with a sex/pornography addiction and the key aspects of supporting these clients in therapy: Using the 4 criteria of addiction to make an assessment on your client. Shame silences people - be mindful of your client and use appropriate questions to progress the conversation. Remember that the client can only go as far as the counsellor is willing to go. Sex and pornography addiction can also isolate people and disrupt their everyday lives, not just alcohol or drug addictions. Links and Resources Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide Counsellor CPD Counselling Study Resource Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide Counselling Tutor Shop Facebook group Website Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner's Guide Online and Telephone Counselling Course The Coventry ASD vs Attachment Problems Grid Modification of the Coventry Grid Interview to include the Pathological Demand Avoidant profile

Pacing Yourself in Counselling - Importance of Journaling In Episode 202 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly discuss today's three topics: 'Counselling Foundations' - where today's focus lies in pacing yourself within your sessions. 'Focus on Self' - where Rory and Ken discuss the importance of journaling. And finally 'Practice Matters', where today Rory is speaking to Chloe Foster about counselling LGBTQ clients and working inclusively in your practice. Pacing Yourself in Counselling [starts in 1:26 mins] Being able to control your pace is an important skill to have when in the therapy room. During this segment, Rory and Ken take you through the key things to remember when it comes to pacing yourself in counselling and helping your client to help themselves: Keep your pace slightly behind the client, allowing yourself time to think before you intervene. Remember the skill of silence - make sure the client is leading the session. Trust that the client will find their own way when given the space and patience they require. Recognise that change is a struggle, and you cannot do it for them. Importance of Journaling [starts in 18:00 mins] Keeping track of your own thoughts and feelings is an important step in your development. Understanding yourself above all else will help you to improve and ease any anxiety you may have. In this week's 'Focus on Self', Rory and Ken discuss the benefits of journaling and the ways you can make journaling work for you: Keeping observation of how you are and snippets of time allow you to see your own personal developments. Allows you to shift any worries or concerns from the inside, to the outside. Doesn't just have to be writing - can be in the form of a video or an audio note, even a painting. Can serve as a useful learning aid. If journaling feels like a chore, you can discover new methods that may work for you. Counselling LGBTQ Clients [starts in 36:02 mins] The inclusivity of the LGBTQ community may be something often tiptoed around for fear of making mistakes. But today's guest Chloe Foster speaks to Rory about the importance of this inclusion. In this section on counselling LGBTQ clients, Chloe and Rory talk about how we can be inclusive in the therapy room more comfortably: Aim to build confidence for the client to feel comfortable enough to open up about their sexual or gender identity. Acknowledge and understand the fears and discomfort experienced by clients due to our heteronormative society. Realise it starts with you. Know/explore yourself. You don't have to know everything - having a general understanding and being able to build up from there is what's important. Avoid making assumptions, both about your client and those that they mention. Be confident that you can make these changes and learn. Links and Resources Counselling Skills Academy Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide Counsellor CPD Counselling Study Resource Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide Counselling Tutor Training and CPD Facebook group Website Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner’s Guide Online and Telephone Counselling Course

Setting Boundaries as a Therapist - Talking Respectfully about Sexuality and Gender Identity In Episode 201 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly return to discuss today's three topics: 'Counselling Foundations' - where today Rory and Ken focus on developing a non-judgemental attitude in therapy. 'Focus on Self' - with how we set our boundaries as a therapist. And lastly in today's 'Practice Matters', Rory discusses talking respectfully about sexuality and gender identity with Daniel Winstanley. Non-Judgemental Attitude in Therapy [starts at 1:17 mins] Developing a non-judgemental attitude is a difficult step in the counselling journey, putting aside the stereotypes that many of us have been encouraged to hold, but in this segment, Rory and Ken discuss the ways we can begin to unravel these prejudices and become less judgemental in the therapy room: Realising judgement starts from within. Recognising the person in front of you is a fellow human being. Acknowledging that views and opinions are a product of our upbringing and experiences; it is a person's right to hold their views and opinions, it is not a fault within them. Forgiving yourself will make it easier for you to accept others. You can download a free handout on unconditional positive regard (UPR), which also includes an Setting Boundaries as a Therapist [starts at 18:17 mins] While looking into their own boundaries, Rory and Ken outline how setting boundaries is an important step to introduce in your everyday life. Recognising when they're needed, and how best to put them into place. The ways discussed in which you can begin to set these boundaries and put them into action include: Knowing your own limits. Having the courage it takes to hold your boundary. Ensuring you keep up with your self-care. Finding and introducing a fixed structure. Remembering that your boundaries are for you, no one else. Talking Respectfully about Sexuality and Gender Identity in Therapy [starts at 33:15 mins] In today's interview, Rory speaks with Daniel Winstanley on talking respectfully about sexuality and gender identity, and the lack of education within this subject during training. The points highlighted in this talk include: That clients may find it difficult to broach this subject. The importance of self-reflection. Looking into yourself and identifying these internalised messages and stereotypes that you may have picked up through your experiences. It's important not to ignore the difficult terminology. Education is key. Links and Resources Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide Counsellor CPD Counselling Study Resource Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide Counselling Tutor Shop Facebook group Website Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner's Guide Online and Telephone Counselling Course

Becoming Congruent - Feeling Incompetent as a Therapist In Episode 200 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Ken Kelly and Rory Lees-Oakes celebrate nearing 2 million podcast downloads before outlining today's three segments: 'Counselling Foundations' where in this episode Ken and Rory discuss becoming congruent. In today's 'Focus on Self,' we look at feelings of incompetence. And finally in today's 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Marion Elkin-Greener about working with addictions in therapy. Becoming Congruent [starts at 3:35 mins] Being congruent and genuine, both with yourself and with the client, is an important skill to bring into the therapy room. In this section, Rory and Ken share their personal experiences with congruence and outline the key points and benefits of it within your practice: Creating an environment that facilitates change. Being able to recognise how you really feel and getting to know yourself will encourage those behaviours in your client as well. Being confident that the information you are providing is useful, and that your relationship with the client is good enough for it to be shared. Making sure anything you do is in service of the client. Feeling Incompetent as a Therapist [starts at 22:08 mins] Focusing today on feelings of incompetence, Rory and Ken reflect back on their own struggles and doubts during training and discuss the common habit of being harsh on yourself. The key points and advice shared in this section include: Stopping comparing yourself to others, or an ideal version of yourself. The benefits of sharing these feelings with your peers, letting these negative thoughts escape the constant circuit of your head. Recognising that these thoughts and feelings are solely in your head, you are the one who can be easier on yourself, remember nobody is perfect. Accepting that it's all a part of being human and learning self-acceptance. Exploring your relationship with failure and negative feedback. Being able to bracket off these worries and evaluate them from a distance. Realising that you feel this way because you care. Working with Addictions in Therapy [starts at 38:22 mins] Speaking with Marion Elkin-Greener in today's 'Practice Matters', Rory asks about the key things to consider when working with clients who suffer from a range of different addictions. The key topics on this section on working with addictions in therapy include: Checking your judgement - ensuring you're not treating your client differently due to stigmas. As well as working with the addiction, there is also accompanying issues like loss, grief, anger and feelings of shame. Building back up the client's sense of self-esteem. Recognising that in most cases, addiction is a symptom of a bigger mental health issue. Being aware that each individual is different, and in some cases, the most you can do for your client is harm reduction. Links and Resources Counselling Skills Academy Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide Counsellor CPD Counselling Study Resource Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide Counselling Tutor Training and CPD Facebook group Website Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner’s Guide Online and Telephone Counselling Course

Empathy in Counselling - Maternal Mental Health In Episode 199 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly return with your three favourite segments: 'Counselling Foundations' - where today's focus is enhancing your empathy. 'Focus on Self' - where Rory and Ken introduce how to gain the necessary resilience in your counselling practice to cope with a client's personal struggles. And once again ending with 'Practice Matters', where today Rory is joined by Emma Chapman to discuss maternal mental health. Empathy in Counselling (starts at 1:16 mins) If there's something you will use from beginning to end during your journey through counselling, it's empathy. Naturally possessed by human beings, empathy is a skill that must be enhanced and developed, and during this section, Rory and Ken discuss the key things to think about: The difference between sympathy and empathy, feeling for vs. feeling with. Recognising the level of empathy required for your client, and meeting them there. Building trust with your client to enhance the effectiveness of your empathy. Acknowledging that empathy takes commitment and investment. The importance of having a frame of reference. Practicing empathy among your peers. Building Resilience in the Counselling Practice (starts at 15:20 mins) Being able to withstand the waves of emotion thrown at you in the therapy room takes sturdy and refined resilience, but this doesn't mean you're on your own. In this segment, Rory and Ken take us through the support system needed in order to build up resilience in your counselling practice, and the key aspects of protecting yourself from carrying the weight of your client's problems. These aspects include: Remembering these are your clients' problems, not your own. Reaching out to your supervisor is a part of your own resilience; you're not expected to cope all on your own. Talking with peers when something is troubling you. The importance of managed self-care, mindfulness and breaks. Self-maintenance is an important factor in keeping yourself resilient in your counselling practice. Maternal Mental Health (starts at 27:15 mins) In an interview with Emma Chapman, Rory discusses maternal mental health, the widespread and shared issue experienced by women daily, and the societal views that serve as its cause. The key topics of this interview are: The pressures to be a perfect mum. Dealing with the feelings of becoming a mum, both positive and negative. Recognising that you won't have all the answers. Allowing yourself to be more realistic. Links and Resources Counselling Skills Academy Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide Counsellor CPD Counselling Study Resource Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide Counselling Tutor Training and CPD Facebook group Website Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner’s Guide Online and Telephone Counselling Course

Does Your History Inform Your Practice? - Race and Culture In Episode 198 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly take us through three topics: 'Counselling Foundations' - where in this episode the use of silence within counselling will be explored. 'Focus on Self' - where Rory and Ken discuss the question, "Does your history inform who you are in your practice?" And lastly in today's 'Practice Matters', an interview with psychotherapist Mamood Ahmad focusing on race and culture. Use of Silence in Counselling (starts at 2.15 mins) The importance of silence within the therapy room can be a difficult and uncomfortable learning curve, but in this segment Rory and Ken breakdown this key element of counselling by outlining its usefulness, while acknowledging its difficulty. During this discussion, the various methods and uses of silence in counselling are explored such as: Giving space for the client to gather their thoughts and feelings. The importance of using silence with thought and intention, in order to differentiate therapeutic silence from restrictive silence. The trust required in the relationship with the client in order for it to be a useful tool. An opportunity for communication through body language and observation. In Ken's book, Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide, he dedicates a whole chapter to the use of silence in counselling. This chapter is made available to you here as a free download (just click the green button above to receive the handout). Does Your History Inform Your Practice? (starts at 16.15 mins) Asking the question, "Does your history inform who you are in your practice?" provokes the daunting exercise of delving into your own thoughts and history, and during this segment Rory and Ken embark on that self-reflection, discussing how our experiences shape the way we think, and the importance of recognising if and when our 'individual truths' taint what happens in the therapy room. Factors touched on during this section include: Things may not be right or wrong, simply individual. Challenging your own thinking. Reflecting on how you view the world in comparison to others. Explore things that you, yourself don't agree with and asking why. Discussing these thoughts and feelings with others. Race and Culture (starts at 28.00 mins) Rory speaks with Mamood Ahmad, exploring the key points of his lecture on race and culture, a topic that is consistently relevant and yet unfortunately overlooked. The key topics discussed include: The mistake of making assumptions. The importance of recognising that race and culture are necessary in order to engage fully with a client. Acknowledging that creating this awareness of race and culture takes time, practice and experience. Addressing your own anxieties and uncertainty with acknowledging race and culture through education. Realising that it is a process. Links and Resources Counselling Skills Academy Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide Counsellor CPD Counselling Study Resource Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide Counselling Tutor Training and CPD Facebook group Website Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner’s Guide Online and Telephone Counselling Course

Who Are You in Your Practice? - Working with Moral Injury In Episode 197 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast - the first of the new season, as we enter the start of the 2021/22 academic year - presenters Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly introduce two new regular slots: 'Counselling Foundations' - this section will explore theory, skills and practice points that underpin counselling practice, and is intended to be useful to both students and qualified practitioners. The focus in this episode is on academic writing in counselling. 'Focus on Self' - this recognises the importance of self in counselling training and work, and today looks at who you are in your counselling practice. Last but not least, in our ongoing 'Practice Matters' slot, Rory interviews Amy Launder on working with moral injury. Academic Writing in Counselling (starts at 2.15 mins) Academic writing is part of counselling life. While students of counselling and psychotherapy clearly are expected to produce various assignments and other pieces of written work as part of their evidence of learning, qualified practitioners too may continue to face the need to produce academic writing for any further studies and CPD, and if they are undertaking research projects. Rory and Ken talk about the various barriers that may face those approaching academic writing and explore the feelings that they might face as they prepare to write. Counselling Tutor has produced a course on academic writing specifically to support people in this situation. Ken describes the aspects of academic writing in counselling covered by the new course and shares a number of tips for approaching academic writing, relating to: the importance of understanding the question, and how to ensure you have done this before starting work Bloom's verbs time management and planning in academic writing location for academic writing how to find the information and quotations you need to evidence your work referencing tools You can find out more about the new course and how to register for this on the Counselling Tutor website. Who Are You in Your Practice? (starts at 16.25 mins) In the first in this new 'Counselling Foundations' slot, Ken asks Rory: 'Who are you in your practice?' Rory's response - that he is himself, but a professional, edited version compared to the one that might drink tea with a friend - leads to a wide-ranging discussion on many aspects of how self affects counselling work, including: self-disclosure self-care imposter syndrome bracketing parallel process transference parallel process mirroring self-awareness personal development Rory has prepared a free handout on the use of self in counselling, which is available in the box below. Working with Moral Injury (starts at 35.25 mins) Rory speaks with psychotherapist Amy Launder, who has recorded a lecture for Counsellor CPD (our online CPD library containing hundreds of hours of on-demand CPD lectures, training and resources to support your professional development) on working with moral injury. This is a topic that has huge relevance to many clients and is particularly topical in the times of the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath. Rory and Amy discuss: what moral injury is the origins of moral injury in military service what might cause moral injury how moral injury and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) relate to each other the impacts of moral injury how a client with a moral injury may present in the counselling room the trolley dilemma (a classic thought experiment developed by philosopher Philippa Foot in 1967 and adapted by Judith Jarvis Thomson in 1985) how we can work effectively with moral injury pros and cons of different modalities in this area of work Links and Resources Counselling Skills Academy Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision

Special Edition - Q&A with the National Counselling Society In this special edition of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Rory Lees-Oakes interviews two members of the National Counselling Society's Council - Freya Bottomley (Interim Chief Executive during Chief Executive Meg Moss's maternity leave) and Jyles Robillard Day (Head of Engagement and Development). Rory asks questions posed by members of the Counselling Tutor Facebook group. If you aren't already a member of our Facebook group, do come along and join over 38,000 students, qualified practitioners, tutors and supervisors interested in the world of counselling and psychotherapy. Could you update us on NCS's involvement with the SCoPEd project? At the end of 2020, the SCoPEd group was expanded from the three original bodies that it comprised to the current seven; NCS is now directly involved in this in two key ways: sitting on a group that is mapping training and competences to the SCoPEd framework being part of the SCoPEd Oversight Committee (SOC), to which NCS is putting forward members' queries and concerns, in particular regarding the impact assessment (looking at the effect of SCoPEd on the counselling and psychotherapy profession). Key issues that have arisen so far from NCS members are: how SCoPEd will be implemented whether the columns in it will have titles or simply letters how the pathways will work in terms of movement between columns how it will fit with the current Accredited Registers Programme of the Professional Standards Authority(PSA). NCS is aware that many skills in our profession come from experience, continuing professional development (CPD) or peer discussions rather than from formal training. Work is being done to look at how these competences can be evidenced. Is it harder to find a student placement if you are a member of NCS rather than the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)? NCS is working hard to ensure that it is as widely recognised as BACP. As NCS holds a register that is accredited by the PSA, there is no reason why it should be seen less favourably than BACP. If you encounter a difficulty of this type, please contact NCS's Membership Services for assistance. NCS offers student members access to a placement provider listing, and believes it is important that placements should be awarded based on skills and abilities rather than your choice of the membership body. What makes NCS different from other professional bodies? It's important to be able to choose between different bodies, as counsellors and psychotherapists themselves are a naturally diverse group, with a wide range of perspectives, modalities, personal politics and spiritual beliefs. As a member-led organisation, NCS includes its members in key decisions: it believes that its members are its expertise. NCS also prides itself on the quality of service provided by Membership Services, its range of member benefits, the reasonable fees (with no joining fee), and the extensive range of CPD opportunities available. Do remember, too that you can join more than one membership body if you wish. If a counsellor is accredited by another membership body, do they need to go through the professional accreditation process again if they wish to transfer NCS? So long as the accreditation is with a body that holds a PSA Accredited Register - such as the Association of Christian Counsellors (ACC), BACP, Counselling & Psychotherapy in Scotland (COSCA), or UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) - then the transfer is straightforward. You can find out more about this process on NCS's website or by contacting Membership Services. Will NCS opt-out of SCoPEd if that is what members want? NCS believes it is important to be involved in the SCoPEd discussions at this stage, to ensure that it has a say on impact assessment, how it will be implemented, and how the pathways will work.

Special Edition - CPCAB's Online Courses During academic breaks, we sometimes broadcast special editions of the Counselling Tutor Podcast. In this special edition - broadcast in the summer break of 2021, as the COVID-19 continues but is no longer at its peak - Rory Lees-Oakes speaks to Kelly Budd, Head of Qualifications at the Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (CPCAB), the UK's only awarding body run by counsellors for counsellors. Kelly announces exciting news about the CPCAB's plans for how its courses will be delivered in future. Kelly explains that before the pandemic began, CPCAB had believed that counselling courses could be provided only face-to-face. Reflecting on the way centres rose to the challenge of the pandemic in adapting their teaching methods, Kelly describes the changes and learning that have resulted. It has become clear that training can be just as high quality and effective online, provided that the right support is in place, and there is the commitment from tutors and centre staff. It seems likely that counselling will in future be a blended market, with some practitioners choosing to offer face-to-face sessions, and online and telephone working also being another important part of many counsellors' offering to clients. Rory and Kelly note that it makes sense therefore for counselling training to mirror this blended pattern. CPCAB created a working group to look at how courses will be delivered post-pandemic. This group has been looking at each of the courses offered by the awarding body, doing and drawing on relevant research, and the extent to which they could be taught online. In this, CPCAB draws a clear distinction between asynchronous distance learning (i.e. learning not in real-time, where students are left to their own devices) and virtual classrooms (which - as with attendance at college - are on a specific day and at a specific time, for live, real-time teaching). The working group has concluded the following: Level 2 and 3 courses can be delivered fully online. Level 4 courses need to have a minimum of 75% of face-to-face teaching. The new young people's counselling qualification requires at least 50% face-to-face contact. Level 5 and 6 courses can be taught fully online If centres wish to teach more of the content online than specified, this is fine: the online proportions are options only. CPCAB has also designed a quality framework of online delivery, specifying how standards must be maintained - again differentiating its provision from that of distance-learning providers whose courses are not recognised by professional bodies and employers in the field of counselling and psychotherapy. Together with other reputable awarding bodies, CPCAB is regulated by Ofqual, so ensuring that students on its courses: can be certain that the levels are properly mapped to the National Qualifications Framework can understand how and where they will be qualified to practise after successfully completing the course Links and Resources Counselling Skills Academy Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide Counsellor CPD Counselling Study Resource Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide Counselling Tutor Training and CPD Facebook group Website Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner’s Guide Online and Telephone Counselling Course

Interview with a Student - Goals in Therapy In Episode 196 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast - the last of this season, prior to the summer break - presenter Rory Lees-Oakes interviews student Ruth Watson in 'Student Check-In'. 'Focus on Supervision' then sees Rory and Ken Kelly looking at self-care in supervision. Finally, Rory talks with Professor Mick Cooper about using goals in therapy. Interview with a Student (starts at 4.05 mins) Rory talks with student Ruth Watson about her experience of counselling training. Ruth explains: where she is based and is studying her training journey, from a fast-track level 2 qualification to a CPCAB level 4 diploma her experience of having a baby during her training impact of the COVID-19 pandemic importance of the training journey, personal transformation and knowledge gained how Ruth feels she has changed during training the impact of her training on her partner, family and friends challenges of combining counselling training with full-time work what has kept her going during training why she chose the profession of counselling and psychotherapy Ruth's key piece of advice, if she could speak to her past self before beginning counselling training, would be not to overthink it: if taking the course feels instinctively right to you, then trust the process and go with it. Importance of Self-Care in Supervision (starts at 20.25 mins) As a clinical supervisor, there is a responsibility to look at your supervisees in practice and to ensure that they are practising good self-care. Rory recounts a personal example of how he managed his practice in collaboration with his supervisor during a difficult period personally. Ken highlights the difference between seen personal difficulties (such as when a supervisee has experienced a bereavement) and unseen ones - such as burnout, which can emerge very suddenly and with little or no warning. It is therefore important for supervisors to monitor how 'heavy' their supervisees' workloads are, and to check how they are feeling in response. Ken and Rory illustrate their discussion with examples from their own practice. Ken also draws listeners' attention to episode 192 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, which covers the supervision triangle, including the restorative aspect, which supports the supervisee to look after themselves in a way that fosters their own wellbeing and personal development. In the free handout available here, you can read a case study regarding supervisee self-care. As Rory sums up, self-care is an ethical imperative for all practitioners of counselling and psychotherapy: if you are not taking good care of yourself, you can't provide the best-quality therapy to your clients. Also, Counselling Tutor has recently developed an Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision. This allows practitioners with a minimum of one year's post-qualification experience to gain the competence and training to offer both face-to-face and online counselling supervision, in line with evidence-based practice. The course is mapped to the supervision competences set by the Association for Counselling & Therapy Online (ACTO), British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and National Counselling Society (NCS). While the course is currently sold out, new dates will be released in August 2021; please visit our website if you would like to add your name to our waiting list. You will then be sent a priority email when the new dates are available. Goals in Therapy (starts at 34.00 mins) Rory speaks with Professor Mick Cooper - researcher and pioneer in the field of counselling and psychotherapy - about goals in therapy - a topic on which Mick has recorded a lecture for Counsellor CPD, our online CPD library containing hundreds of hours of on-demand CPD lectures, training and resources to support your professional development.

Seven Tasks of Supervision - Managing Scepticism in Counselling Clients Episode 195 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast opens with presenters Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly discussing therapeutic impasse in 'Student Check-In'. Then, in 'Focus on Supervision', they explore Michael Carroll's seven tasks of supervision. Last, Rory talks with counsellor Sally-Anne Armitage about working with sceptical clients. Therapeutic Impasse (starts at 1.10 mins) Rory summarises in plain English what therapeutic impasse is: 'stuckness'. He and Ken then go on to discuss some of the possible reasons for this, including: thin material transference or countertransference the diversity that is not fully understood by the counsellor When the feeling of stuckness emerges, it is important not to assume that this relates solely to the client: do look at yourself, too, and reflect, for example, on whether any countertransference may be taking place. Even if you have not yet experienced a therapeutic impasse, you likely will at some point in your practice. When it does happen, Rory and Ken advise the use of congruence in verbalising the 'stuckness', and supervision to delve into its causes and how to work with it. You can download a handout on therapeutic impasse here. This is taken from Counselling Study Resource, our online learning platform that's accessible 24/7, offering online assignment guidance and study support for students of counselling and psychotherapy. Seven Tasks of Supervision (starts at 12.35 mins) Supervision is a topic that crops up frequently in the Counselling Tutor Facebook group. If you aren't already a member, do come along and join over 37,000 students, qualified practitioners, tutors and supervisors interested in the world of counselling and psychotherapy. The model of the seven tasks of supervision was developed by Michael Carroll, following research for his doctorate at the Department of Psychology at the University of Surrey in 1994. He gathered a wide range of material from both supervisors and practitioners. Rory and Ken discuss the seven tasks of supervision: creating the learning relationship the teaching task the counselling task monitoring professional/ethical issues the evaluating task the consultative task the administrative task They talk through each of these tasks in some detail, explaining their meaning and relating them to their own practical experience as supervisors and practitioners. You may like to link the material here to the concept of the supervision triangle, presented in Counselling Tutor Podcast 192. Counselling Tutor has recently developed an Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision. This allows practitioners with a minimum of one year's post-qualification experience to gain the competence and training to offer both face-to-face and online counselling supervision, in line with evidence-based practice. The course is mapped to the supervision competences set by the Association for Counselling & Therapy Online (ACTO), British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and National Counselling Society (NCS). Managing Scepticism in Counselling Clients (starts at 26.50 mins) Rory talks with person-centred counsellor, lecturer and supervisor Sally-Anne Armitage, who works with the police force. Sally-Anne explains how this occupational group - who are accustomed to having to contain their feelings, and to having very difficult experiences - may find it difficult to see the value of speaking about their emotions. This led her to develop a particular interest in working with scepticism in the counselling room. Rory and Sally-Anne discuss a range of topics relating to clients' scepticism, including: the importance of reflecting on how scepticism impacts your own feelings as a counsellor applying Karpman's drama triangle prevalence of scepticism in different groups

Parallel Process in Supervision - Peek into Practice with Tamara Howell In episode 194 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, you can hear presenters Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly talking about Carl Gustav Jung's concept of the shadow self in 'Student Check-In'. Then, in 'Focus on Supervision', they discuss the parallel process in the supervisory relationship. The episode closes with experienced online therapist Tamara Howell offering us a peek into her practice. The Shadow Self (starts at 1.40 mins) Carl Gustav Jung was a contemporary of Sigmund Freud; they shared a close association until they fell out over different theoretical views. Jung believed that we all have a shadow self, which is the part of us we find unacceptable. We often deny our shadow self, pretending even to ourselves that it does not exist. Ken and Rory talk about: how you can spot your and other people's shadow self why it is helpful to understand the shadow self how the shadow self affects relationships with others how to face and accept the shadow self Rory provides an example of what he sees as his shadow self, and how he has tackled this. You can download a handout on Jung and the Shadow Self in the blue box above. Parallel Process in Supervision (starts at 12.20 mins) Parallel process is a phenomenon that you will likely be familiar with through your counselling training. In the context of the therapeutic relationship, it describes the situation when what you have going on for you has strong similarities with a client's situation. In this context, you may well need to refer such a client to another counsellor. Parallel process can also occur in the supervisory relationship, with the supervisee paralleling a client's feelings about therapy when describing their case to the supervisor. Ken and Rory provide examples of this phenomenon and explain how it links with transference and countertransference. They also discuss the knowledge and skills that supervisors need in order to be able to spot and work with parallel process in supervision. Counselling Tutor has recently developed a level 6 certificate in online supervision, which looks at the parallel process in supervision in detail. This is mapped to the supervision competences set by ACTO, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and National Counselling Society (NCS). You can read more about it on the Counselling Tutor website. Parallel process is a topic that arises frequently in the Counselling Tutor Facebook group. If you aren't already a member, do come along and join over 37,000 students, qualified practitioners, tutors and supervisors interested in the world of counselling and psychotherapy. Peek into Practice with Tamara Howell (starts at 27.40 mins) Rory talks with Tamara Howell, who was an early adopter of working online as a therapist, following her move abroad over ten years ago. Topics covered in this interview include: how Tamara felt about online working initially her view of training in online counselling differences between face-to-face and online working changes she has witnessed over the time she has been working in this way expectations of clients with regard to online working benefits for clients how online working can help counsellors, too Links and Resources Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide Counsellor CPD Counselling Study Resource Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide Counselling Tutor Shop Facebook group Website Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner's Guide Online and Telephone Counselling Course

Personal Development Linked to Theory - Boundaries in Supervision Episode 193 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast opens with 'Student Check-In', in which presenters Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly discuss the importance of personal development for both trainee and qualified counsellors, and how this links to theory. Next - in our new slot 'Focus on Supervision' - Ken and Rory talk about the importance of boundaries in supervision. Finally, in 'Practice Matters', Rory interviews Clint Adams about how to support clients in tackling destructive thought patterns. Personal Development Linked to Theory (starts at 1.55 mins) Personal development is a topic that arises frequently in the Counselling Tutor Facebook group. If you aren't already a member, do come along and join over 37,000 students, qualified practitioners, tutors and supervisors interested in the world of counselling and psychotherapy. Personal development forms an important part of counselling training - and is assessed by assignments about what students have learned about themselves during training. It may feel daunting to write an assignment of this nature, and hard to know what to include. Ken and Rory provide a number of tips on how to make this easier, including the following: Look at the theory you have studied, and are practising in your skills and/or client sessions, and use this as a structure for your observations on yourself. For example, if you are studying the person-centred approach, you might use the concepts of introjected values, conditions of worth, frame of reference, the seven stages of the process, and configurations of self. During the course, keep a journal as you go along. This allows you to look back on - and serves as a memory-jogger for - your personal developmental process, including any 'lightbulb moments'. Ken explores the feeling of disloyalty that students sometimes encounter in writing about the origins of their conditions of worth etc. in how relatives treated them when young. Rory has prepared a handout for you on this important area of counselling training, 'Personal Development in Counselling'. You can download this here. Boundaries in Supervision (starts at 16.25 mins) Rory reflects on his very first supervision meeting some years ago, and how his supervisor modelled boundary-setting at this early stage in his counselling career. Indeed, when - as a supervisor - you set clear boundaries with supervisees, this serves as an example of good practice for how they work with their clients. Rory and Ken look at a range of issues relating to boundaries, including: the various types of boundary in counselling and supervision, e.g. time boundaries and ethical boundaries the particular importance of boundaries in online work, where the disinhibition effect can blur these the importance of collaborative learning Counselling Tutor has recently developed a level 6 certificate in online supervision. This will allow: qualified counsellors to upgrade to online working counsellors who are ready to train as supervisors to do so with a specialisation in online working. The course is mapped to the supervision competences set by ACTO, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the National Counselling Society (NCS). You can read more about it on the Counselling Tutor website. Tackling Destructive Thought Patterns (starts at 32.30 mins) Rory talks with Clint Adams, a former police officer who has studied psychology and counselling. Based in Australia, Clint works from a pluralistic perspective, drawing on different theories, models and techniques to fit each client. Clint and Rory's conversation covers a range of issues relating to how counsellors can support clients to tackle destructive thought patterns, including: what destructive thought patterns are how clients with destructive thought processes might present

Key Theory in Counselling - Creative Arts Therapy In episode 192 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, presenters Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly talk in 'Student Check-In' about key theory in counselling. Then - in the first instalment of 'Focus on Supervision' - Ken and Rory talk about the supervision triangle. To end, in 'Practice Matters', Rory talks to counsellor and trainer Ani de la Prida about working with creative arts therapy. Key Theory in Counselling (starts at 1.30 mins) Understanding counselling theory can be tricky, coming as it does with a whole new language. And as a student of counselling or psychotherapy, you need to be able not only to understand the theory but also to write about it in assignments and apply it to practice. Different modalities are based on different theories, and some take longer to train in than others. But, as Ken points out, there is - despite these different theoretical underpinnings - some commonality between modalities, with different words sometimes representing similar concepts across modalities. Thus, while the words may differ, the ideas behind them may well overlap. Rory has prepared a handout for you on this important area of counselling training. Entitled 'Counselling Theory - Trigger Vocabulary: Cheat Sheet' (though there's no actual cheating involved in using a plain-English summary of keywords of counselling-speak!), you can download this here. The Supervision Triangle (starts at 16.05 mins) If you are already a qualified supervisor, do you need any additional training to be able to supervise counsellors who are working online? Ken and Rory's answer is a resounding 'Yes!' from a professional and ethical standpoint. In 'Focus on Supervision', this new regular slot in the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Ken and Rory begin by talking about the supervision triangle. The supervision 'triangle' refers to the three cornerstones of clinical supervision: normative - ensuring that the practitioner (supervisee) is practising in line with the ethical standards of their professional body formative - looking at the learning and development of the supervisee, identifying any needs in this respect and encouraging the supervisee to fill them restorative - supporting the supervisee to look after themselves in a way that fosters their own wellbeing and personal development Ken and Rory talk through each of these three cornerstones, providing examples to illustrate them. While they may not be obvious to the supervisee, the skilled supervisor is constantly reviewing and balancing these three areas of focus. And in the very middle of this triangle stands ethics, reflecting the whole raison d'etre of clinical supervision. Counselling Tutor has been working hard over the last year - led on this project by Rory - to develop a level 6 certificate in online supervision. This will allow: qualified counsellors to upgrade to online working counsellors who are ready to train as supervisors to do so with a specialisation in online working The course is mapped to the supervision competences set by ACTO, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the National Counselling Society (NCS). You can read more about it on the Counselling Tutor website. Creative Arts Therapy (starts at 28.45 mins) Using creative arts in counselling is a topic that arises often in the Counselling Tutor Facebook group. If you aren't already a member, do come along and join over 37,000 students, qualified practitioners, tutors and supervisors interested in the world of counselling and psychotherapy. Rory talks with Ani de la Prida, who is a psychotherapist, creative arts counsellor, and lecturer at the University of East London. She also founded the Association for Person Centred Creative Arts. Their conversation covers a range of points regarding this interesting way of working, including:

Placement Interview Questions - Life Transitions Episode 191 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast opens with 'Student Check-In' - in which presenters Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly talk about placement interviews. Next - in the final instalment of 'Digital Counselling Revolution' - Ken and Rory talk about online supervision training for counsellors. Last, in 'Practice Matters', Rory talks to the counsellor and trainer Emma Chapman about working with clients on life transitions. Placement Interview Questions (starts at 1.10 mins) As we reach the time of year when many counselling students are preparing to move into placements, the issue of what to expect at placement interviews is uppermost in many listeners' minds - as evidenced by how frequently it is talked about in the Counselling Tutor Facebook group. If you aren't already a member, do come along and join over 37,000 students, qualified practitioners, tutors and supervisors interested in the world of counselling and psychotherapy. Ken and Rory talk about this important topic, including: what placement agencies are looking for in trainee counsellors what you can do to prepare for placement interviews how to research agencies and the areas of counselling they cover areas to be aware of when attending placement interviews importance of online experience and training in the current climate how to show congruence in your interview questions for you to ask the agency You can download a handout on this topic, 'Questions at a Placement interview', here. Online Supervision Training for Counsellors (starts at 16.05 mins) If you are already a qualified supervisor, do you need any additional training to be able to supervise counsellors who are working online? Ken and Rory's answer is a resounding 'Yes!' from a professional and ethical standpoint. There are psychological processes and a number of practical considerations that you need to be aware of when counselling online or supervising others' online counselling work. Indeed, the Association for Counselling & Therapy Online (ACTO) advises that before beginning to supervise online counsellors, clinical supervisors should have experienced themselves of counselling online, and have completed online supervision training for counsellors. Currently, it seems that there are many counsellors working online and not many supervisors qualified to support them. Becoming skilled in this important area of clinical supervision may therefore represent an opportunity to develop your practice. Counselling Tutor has been working hard over the last year - led on this project by Rory - to develop a level 6 certificate in online supervision. This will allow: qualified counsellors to upgrade to online working counsellors who are ready to train as supervisors to do so with a specialisation in online working. The course is mapped to the supervision competencies set by ACTO, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and National Counselling Society (NCS). You can read more about it on the Counselling Tutor website. From the next episode, supervision will be the theme for this slot of the Counselling Tutor Podcast. Life Transitions (starts at 28.45 mins) Rory talks with Emma Chapman - who contributes regularly to Counsellor CPD, our online CPD library - about working with clients who are processing life transitions. These are a theme that occurs frequently in counselling. Emma explains: why it is important for counsellors to understand life transitions major transitions are seen in therapy, including those relating to life stages, relationships and work expected and unexpected life transitions expectations and narratives of others regarding life transitions how to work with life transitions gender differences in life transitions Links and Resources Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision

Establishing the Identity of the Client during Online Counselling - Counselling in the USA In Episode 190 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly talk about Erik Erikson's eight stages of development in 'Student Check-In'. 'Digital Counselling Revolution' then looks at the issue of establishing the identity of the client when working online. Finally, in 'Practice Matters', Rory talks to Meer Elkin about counselling in the USA. Erik Erikson's Eight Stages of Development (starts at 1.50 mins) It was psychologist and psychoanalyst Erik Erikson who coined the term 'identity crisis'. Erikson's work links with that of Sigmund Freud but focuses more on psychosocial rather than psychosexual development. Erikson had a particular interest in psychosocial development - that is, where people find themselves in the arc of their lives, from birth to death. Erikson's work is not widely taught in counselling and other training in the UK, but Ken - who grew up in South Africa - explains its prevalence there. He talks through in detail Erikson's eight stages of development: Stage 1 (birth to 18 months): trust versus mistrust Stage 2 (18 months to three years): autonomy versus shame and doubt Stage 3 (three to five years): initiative versus guilt Stage 4 (five to 13 years): industry versus inferiority Stage 5 (13 to 21 years): ego identity versus role confusion Stage 6 (21 to 39 years): intimacy versus isolation Stage 7 (40 to 65 years): generativity versus stagnation Stage 8 (65+ years): ego integrity versus despair For each of these stages, Ken and Rory have detailed discussion, drawing on examples to illustrate them, including from their own life experiences. Erikson's eight stages of development build on each other, and how the earlier stages go for an individual can have a major effect on how the later ones turn out. It can be really helpful for therapists to understand the stages and to bear these in mind when working with clients. Where are you in the eight stages of development, and do the themes given by Erikson for that stage fit with your own experience? You can download a handout on Erikson's eight stages of development model in the blue box above. Establishing the Identity of the Client during Online Counselling (starts at 33.05 mins) The BACP's Telephone and E-Counselling Training Curriculum includes a section as follows (2016, p. 7): Knowledge that absence of visual contact presents problems in verifying the identity of the client, and within this develop an ability to identify signs that a client may be older or younger than they purport to be by noting age congruence of language used and contextual information offered by the client. Be aware of legal and ethical differences when working with children rather than adults and be able to take reasonable steps to verify age the client's age accordingly. Develop an ability to elicit and triangulate lines of information about a client to substantiate their background and identity. Ken and Rory explain how much more possible it is for people to pretend to be someone they are not when not working face-to-face. Telephone counselling - and, even more so, email and text counselling - present opportunities for this. They discuss the potential dangers (e.g. when working with clients who are subject to domestic abuse), and warning signs to watch out for (such as the use of language that does not fit the stated age etc. of the client). Establishing the identity of clients is covered in more depth in our Online and Telephone Counselling Certificate course. Counselling in the USA (starts at 45.55 mins) How to practise as a counsellor in the USA is a question that is frequently raised in the Counselling Tutor Facebook group. If you aren't already a member, do come along and join over 37,000 students, qualified practitioners, tutors and supervisors interested in the world ...

History of CBT - Choosing the Right Equipment for Working Online Episode 189 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast opens with Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly talking through the history of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in 'Student Check-In'. 'Digital Counselling Revolution' then looks at the equipment you will need to practise online therapy effectively and ethically. Last, in 'Practice Matters', Rory talks to special guest Dr Roseann Capanna-Hodge about the role of parents in mental health, in particular how they can support their children's mental health between counselling sessions. History of CBT (starts at 1.55 mins) Rory provides a potted history of CBT, starting some 2,000 years ago, including: the Greek philosophy of stoicism developments in Roman times Albert Ellis, RBT and the ABCDE model Aaron Beck third-wave CBT CBT is essentially based on the idea that each situation triggers thoughts, which affect our feelings, which in turn affect our behaviours - and so our lives. CBT encourages clients to check the rationality of their thoughts, looking at the evidence for and against. It is well established in the NHS, thanks in part to its measurability. As an active-directive modality, it is different from the non-directive person-centred approach, though the modern third-wave CBT approaches do bridge this divide to an extent, so incorporating mindfulness. You can download a handout on the history of the CBT model and the ABCDE model here. We also have lots of information on CBT on our website, including its history and philosophy. Choosing the Right Equipment for Working Online (starts at 13.40 mins) In order to provide effective digital counselling, one of the prerequisites is the right equipment. Ken and Rory talk through what you need, and share their tips from online working of how to configure this, covering: getting the sound quality right selecting headsets, air pods and external microphones avoiding echo protecting your hearing ensuring your equipment is not obtrusive getting your lighting right using all your equipment properly. Why not share your experience and ask any questions in the Counselling Tutor Facebook group (where you can hang out with over 37,000 counselling students, qualified practitioners, tutors and supervisors)? You might also like to find a buddy to practise your skills with online, providing feedback on each other's equipment. Choosing the right equipment is covered in more depth in our Online and Telephone Counselling Certificate course. Role of Parents in Mental Health (starts at 31.00 mins) Rory talks with Dr Roseann Capanna-Hodge - who is based in Connecticut, USA and has a special interest in children's mental health - about the role of parents in mental health. Parents may be surprised to find out just how much they can do to reduce and reverse mental-health symptoms in children. The key to this is regulating the nervous system, triggering a parasympathetic state: achieving this for even ten minutes per day can make a real difference. We all live in a world full of stressors, and the COVID-19 pandemic has been a source of additional stress. Roseann asserts that if parents work on their own nervous systems, this in itself has a huge positive impact on their children, given that children learn from parents. Roseann uses the REPS ProtocolTM, which provides four steps to getting stress under control: Respirate (looking at the importance of breathing) Envision (seeing oneself with successful solutions) Positivity (ensuring positive self-talk) Stress management. Links and Resources Counselling Skills Academy Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide Counsellor CPD Counselling Study Resource Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide Counselling Tutor Shop Facebook group

Dual Process Model of Grief - Attachment Issues in Telephone Therapy In episode 188 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly start with 'Student Check-In', discussing the dual process model of grief. In 'Digital Counselling Revolution', they then turn to attachment issues in telephone therapy - before Rory speaks with Martin Smith, in 'Practice Matters', about counselling for personality disorders. Dual Process Model of Grief (starts at 1.35 mins) Grief is an experience that everyone has in some form at some time. While the loss of a loved one through death might be the most obvious time at which we would expect to feel grief, it is a natural reaction to other forms of loss too - for example, loss of a relationship, loss of health, and job loss. Counselling for bereavement and loss is not about 'curing' the client, but about helping them to process the loss. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross's 1969 five-stage model of grief is well-known for its use in grief work. It is sometimes known as 'DABDA', after the initials of its five stages: Denial Anger Bargaining Depression Acceptance A more recent model of grief, however, is the dual process model, described by Margaret Stroebe and Henk Schut in the journal Death Studies in 1999. This model refers to the oscillation between loss-oriented and restoration-oriented responses and activities. Ken and Rory look at the dangers of being stuck in one or the other of these two modes, and ways of using the approach in therapy. Ken shares his own experience of grief, noting the difference between losses. You can download a handout that provides an overview of the dual process model here (in the blue box above). Attachment Issues in Telephone Therapy (starts at 15.30 mins) Providing therapy by telephone brings challenges that may be new to those whose work has previously been face-to-face. One such challenge is the disinhibition effect, as described by John Suler. Transference can also be powerful and brings a number of risks when working with voice-only technology. It is easy to create an imaginary picture of what the other person looks like; this is an important pitfall to be aware of. Avoiding speculation is vital. Both these phenomena are influenced by attachment style. Ken and Rory share anecdotes of their experience with telephone working, illustrating the possible hazards and how to ensure you practise in a way that is ethical and professional. Professional training in working online is vital, and you may wish to consider taking our Online and Telephone Counselling Certificate course. The course exceeds 80 hours of guided learning, and the learning outcomes are mapped to the BACP's 2021 competencies for telephone and e-counselling. Most of the course is self-directed learning via online lectures and resources; this means that you can work at your own pace, and complete the course with no external time pressure. Counselling for Personality Disorders (starts at 27.30 mins) Martin Smith specialises in working with clients who have personality disorders, and he has recorded a lecture on this topic for our Counsellor CPD library (which offers hundreds of hours of on-demand lectures, training and resources to support the continuing professional development of qualified practitioners). Martin and Rory discuss a range of issues relating to counselling for personality disorders, including: what personality disorders are how they affect life the duration of personality disorders aim of counselling for people with personality disorders statistics in the general population and among counselling clients how to adapt your skillset to working with these clients understanding what you see in the therapy room tell-tale signs of personality disorders other issues that may accompany personality disorders, e.g. substance abuse, addiction and depression

Use of Homework in CBT - Timing of Communication in Asynchronous Counselling Episode 187 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast opens with Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly talking about the strengths and weaknesses of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and in particular the use of homework in this popular modality. 'Digital Counselling Revolution' then looks at asynchronous therapy - specifically the timing of communications when working in this way. Last - in 'Practice Matters' - Rory speaks with counsellor and tutor Simon Heath about ecotherapy, in particular walk-and-talk therapy. Use of Homework in CBT (starts at 1.45 mins) The term 'homework' may carry negative connotations of school and its academic pressures for some people, but CBT homework is intended as a supportive part of the therapy that both increases its effectiveness and promotes client autonomy (through encouraging clients to 'become their own therapist' between and after sessions). Rory describes the origins of CBT, describing how US psychologist Albert Ellis developed Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy (REBT) - the earliest form of cognitive-based psychotherapy - in the 1950s. As a young man, Ellis lacked the confidence to talk to women of his own age. He decided to try to tackle his shyness by going to Central Park in New York and making himself talk to 100 women. This helped him become more confident about talking to women and he managed to alter what he saw as his irrational fear. Ellis's experiment was an early example of CBT homework, which may focus on the client challenging their perception. Ken and Rory discuss other examples of such experiments and other possible types of CBT homework. They also compare and contrast the non-directive modality of person-centred therapy and the active-directive CBT. CBT has a strong base in research, helped by its measurability (due partly to the setting of a specific goal for therapy). You can download a handout on CBT session structure and use of homework here. And the Counselling Tutor website has lots of other resources on CBT - simply go to the 'Theory' tab on the top menu bar or search for what you require using our special tool on the website. Timing of Communication in Asynchronous Counselling (starts at 15.00 mins) Asynchronous communication is when you send a message without expecting an immediate response - for example, using text, social media, email or online forums. Email and text therapy are forms of counselling that use asynchronous communication. It is easy to think that it's fine to send an email at any time of day or night, but it is good practice to contract with the client on when you will do this - partly to avoid them being left emotionally 'open' for a long period after sharing their intimate thoughts and feelings by message, and partly to reduce the chance of them experiencing the black-hole effect. The latter phenomenon was named by American psychologist John Suler (1997); it refers to the uncomfortable phenomenon of sending an email and not knowing whether or not it was received and read. Ken and Rory talk about the importance of clear contracting for email/text therapy; the skills needed; and how to work safely, ethically and professionally in this way. Professional training in working online is vital, and you may wish to consider taking our Online and Telephone Counselling Certificate course. The course exceeds 80 hours of guided learning, and the learning outcomes are mapped to the BACP's 2021 competencies for telephone and e-counselling. Most of the course is self-directed learning via online lectures and resources; this means that you can work at your own pace, and complete the course with no external time pressure. Walk-and-Talk Therapy (starts at 27.15 mins) Rory talks to Simon Heath, who has recently recorded a lecture on Ecotherapy for our Counsellor CPD library (which offers hundreds of hours of on-demand lecture...

Counselling Training in Australia - Managing Digital Footprints In Episode 186 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Rory Lees-Oakes interviews Torrie Hall, a final-year counselling student from Australia. 'Digital Counselling Revolution' then focuses on the importance of managing digital footprints when working online, before - in Practice Matters - the presenters discuss attachment styles, and how important understanding your attachment style is for counsellors. Counselling Training in Australia (starts at 2.00 mins) Rory talks to Torrie Hall, who is a final-year counselling student in Australia, working towards her Diploma of Counselling through TAFE (technical and further education), an Australian government institution. This will enable her to become a registered counsellor with the Australian Counselling Association. Torrie talks to Rory about: similarities and differences between the Australian and UK systems for training to be a counsellor her experience of remote learning ethical bodies in Australia the role of creative teaching the structure of her course clinical supervision choice of modality counselling placements Managing Digital Footprints (starts at 15.15 mins) The BACP has recently updated its competence framework for online and telephone therapy. The new framework recognises the advances in technology since the original publication and includes a number of new competencies, including the professional competence of 'knowledge of, and ability to work with, issues of confidentiality and consent, including data protection (GDPR) and ability to monitor own digital footprint and that of the clinical work'. Rory and Ken compare digital footprints with physical footprints on the sand but note that the former is far less visible and much harder to remove. When working as online counsellors, we must therefore try to minimise our client's digital footprint, for example relating to: payment arrangements Phone bills technology platforms used in therapy information submitted to you by the client cookies search history. Ken and Rory also talk about the dangers of facial recognition software and how important it is to be very careful with your own social media presence. Understanding Your Attachment Style (starts at 24.05 mins) We may be well aware of the value of knowing our clients' attachment styles, but are you aware of what your own is? Attachment style affects how we relate to others, and so understanding your attachment style is essential knowledge for counsellors - especially when transference and/or countertransference come into play. Drawing on the work of John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth, Rory talks about the four main attachment styles, and Ken equates these to Eric Berne's plain-language versions: secure = 'I'm OK; you're OK' insecure ambivalent = 'I'm not OK; you're OK' insecure disorganised = 'I'm not OK; you're not OK' insecure avoidant-dismissive = 'I'm OK; you're not OK'. Ken and Rory discuss their own attachment styles, their origins, and how understanding your attachment style will advance your counselling practice. Links and Resources Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide Counsellor CPD Counselling Study Resource Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide Counselling Tutor Shop Facebook group Website Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner's Guide Online and Telephone Counselling Course

Special Edition - National Counselling Society: Autonomy-Centred and Process-Centred Counselling Practice We broadcast a special edition podcast on the National Counselling Society (NCS) in March 2019. This followed questions posed by members of the Counselling Tutor Facebook group. Rory then revisited the NCS in October 2020, with more questions gathered from the Facebook group, and spoke to NCS Chief Executive Meg Moss. In this third podcast about the NCS's work, Rory and Meg discuss the debate around autonomy-centred and process-centred counselling practice. Meg explains the differences between these two, explaining that a process-centred counselling practice is based on the medical model, while an autonomy-centred counselling practice is based on an organic/holistic model. The two terms - 'process-centred' and 'autonomy-centred' - were used by the NCS in its response to the strategic review by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) of the Accredited Registers Programme. In the podcast, Meg describes the two terms as follows: Autonomy-centred practice Takes a phenomenological approach Views each person as an individual Sees the therapeutic relationship as key Offers autonomy for both parties Supports creativity Is not measurable Provides flexibility Offers a space for wellbeing Centres on equality and diversity Considers the impact of society on wellbeing Is a vocation Process-centred practice Focuses on symptoms Aims to 'diagnose' and 'cure' Looks to stop a specific thing from happening Draws up a treatment plan Involves box-ticking Takes a set approach to dealing with a particular problem, offering a standard solution Is more able to be measured Is a profession Rory and Meg move on to discuss regulating counselling and psychotherapy. Meg explains what the PSA and Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) are and do: The PSA helps to protect the public through its work with organisations that register and regulate people working in health and social care. It is independent and accountable to the UK Parliament. Through its Accredited Registers Programme (set up in 2012), the PSA assesses organisations that register health and social care practitioners (e.g. the NCS) who are not regulated by law so that members of the public can choose a practitioner to meet their needs with confidence. The HCPC protects the public by regulating 15 health and care professions. They set standards for professionals' education, training and practice; maintain a register of professionals who meet these standards; and take action if any registrants don't meet its standards. There were discussions in 2009 about the possibility of counsellors and psychotherapists becoming regulated by the HCPC, but this did not go ahead. Meg believes that the voluntary regulation scheme offered through the Accredited Registers Programme works well. She explains that the NCS is not specifically against regulation - especially if it helps protect and reassure the public - but it does have concerns about some potential consequences of this, including: standardisation leading to homogenous practice difficulties in regulating a role that by nature has a wide range of ways of practising limitations to the scope of practice cumbersome nature of the regulation process people not wanting to train as counsellors, or qualified practitioners leaving due to regulation-related pressures and costs push towards a hierarchical structure for counselling and psychotherapy. Meg describes the basis for the NCS's stance on regulation, which is - as with the rest of its work - based on the results of seeking members' views on this, as well as its investigation and analysis of relevant documentation and actions. Links and Resources Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide

Working with Men Abused by Women - Preparing for Your Counselling Residential In Episode 296 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly are back with this week's three topics: First up in 'Ethical, Sustainable Practice', we look at counsellor safety and self-care strategies when navigating lone working. Then in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Phil Mitchell about abuse by women towards men, delving into misandry and how it is viewed. And lastly in 'Student Services', Rory and Ken discuss preparing for your counselling residential experience. Counsellor Safety during Lone Working [starts at 03:25 mins] It's never nice to consider clients in a negative light, but when it comes to working alone we do need to give consideration to our own safety. In this section on counsellor safety, Rory and Ken discuss some of the things you can put into place for the unlikely event that you feel you are in danger: Assess a client before meeting with them alone - maybe arrange for a video or phone call. Trusting your gut feelings and instincts. Look at the clients' presentations and prepare accordingly, e.g. do they struggle with angry outbursts? Safety buddy - have someone that you contact before a client comes and after they have left. This is a great way to have peace of mind, and someone who is able to get help should you need it. Last resort identification - have a sealed envelope containing your appointments, names and contact details that a third party can access if something happens. This saves emergency services precious time if they were in need of information on where you could be. Emergency communications for counsellor safety - if something comes up during a session, you want emergency numbers to be pre-saved on a phone that you can easily access. Be aware of your environment, details, and your safety. One of the things to consider for your safety during counselling work is where you are sitting in the room - can you leave quickly if you need to? Working with Men Abused by Women [starts at 23:43 mins] In this week's 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Phil Mitchell about abuse by women towards men, paying special attention to misandry - the contempt for, or ingrained prejudice, against men. The key points of this discussion include: Compared to misogyny, misandry tends to be more unseen. There is an imbalance in the way these attitudes and behaviours are viewed, e.g. misandry is often overlooked, or accepted. Men and women experience counselling differently, they often might want a different approach, e.g. men might want something more solution-based, where women might be looking to talk through their emotions. You can begin to make subtle language changes - look to reframe the client's thinking. Move away from the rigidity and beliefs around what the problem is - take a different approach. You need to balance logic and emotion to have these discussions. Consider the effect of media on how boys and men feel about their own masculinity. It isn't black and white, or man vs. woman. Preparing for Your Counselling Residential [starts at 50:51 mins] Your counselling residential can be a pivotal moment for your personal development. In this section, Rory and Ken share some of their own experiences with counselling residentials to explore their impact: During a residential, you are being faced with yourself. This can sometimes be very difficult, but will result in great personal development. Knowledge becomes wisdom - the facts are becoming something you can feel, knowing how they apply to you, your life, and your experiences. Requires an openness of self - a willingness to feel a plethora of emotions. The process is similar to what we ask of our clients. Be thoughtful to your loved ones, they've not experienced what you have, and it can be difficult to explain.

The Women Who Changed Counselling - Working with Eating Disorders Episode 185 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast begins with Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly discussing influential women in the field of counselling and psychotherapy. 'Digital Counselling Revolution' then looks at how to choose online therapy platforms for therapists. Last, Rory speaks with counsellor Bernie Wright about working with clients who have eating disorders. The Women Who Changed Counselling (starts at 1.25 mins) In honour of International Women's Day on 8 March, Ken and Rory look at influential women in the field of counselling and psychotherapy. The history of counselling and psychotherapy can seem to be dominated by men, but many women have made significant contributions to counselling theory and practice. Ken and Rory talk about the work of: Jessie Taft, who helped develop the person-centred approach Laura Perls, who was an important gestalt psychotherapist Petruska Clarkson, who proposed the idea of intersubjectivity Anna Freud, who looked at the fantasy lives of infants from birth Melanie Klein, who worked extensively on child analysis Margaret Mahler, who came up with separation-individuation theory Francine Shapiro, who invented EMDR Margaret Warner, who developed the concept of fragile process A number of female clients and relatives were also particularly influential. You can download a handout on the women who changed counselling here or through Counselling Study Resource (CSR). Choosing Online Therapy Platforms for Therapists (starts at 14.25 mins) Working online requires us to use online therapy platforms to communicate with our clients. Are you certain that yours is appropriate and secure? While working by telephone may appear to be more straightforward in security terms than working via a video-conferencing platform, this may use VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol). Which platform is right for your practice and clients? Rory and Ken advise against certain online therapy platforms that are owned by social-media companies, and that you should always read the terms and conditions - and licence agreement - very carefully for any software or platform you use. In particular, you should read the provider's Data Processing Agreement (DPA). The Information Commissioner's Office requires providers to have a DPA in order to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation. When looking for online therapy platforms for therapists, do be wary of free platforms, and take a good look at the difference between free and paid versions of the same platform: you may not have to pay much to gain greatly in terms of security and features. Last but not least, don't assume that once you've read the DPA, that's that: the provider is likely to make changes to this, and it's vital to keep up-to-date with these. Working with Eating Disorders (starts at 20.30 mins) Rory talks with Bernie Wright, who has recorded a lecture on working with clients who have disordered eating for Counsellor CPD (our online library of lectures for qualified practitioners of counselling and psychotherapy). Bernie notes that GPs may not be well informed on eating disorders, since little time is dedicated to this topic at medical school. She describes how counsellors in this specialist field are overwhelmed by the volume of referrals, making it an area you may wish to consider training in. It would not be ethical to take on clients presenting with eating disorders without such training. It is not uncommon for clients initially to present with anxiety and/or depression but then to reveal eating disorders once therapy has begun: again, it is vital to be prepared. Bernie notes that if clients are not feeding their body, mind and soul, then personal change is very difficult. This important specialism requires knowledge relating to both the physiology and the psychology of eating disorders.

Surviving Counselling Training - Returning to Counselling Practice Episode 184 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast begins with Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly offering their tips on how to survive counselling training. Next, 'Digital Counselling Revolution' looks at GDPR for therapists, especially when working online. Finally, counsellor Paul Cullen provides a 'peek into practice' through a conversation with Rory about his work. Surviving Counselling Training (starts at 1.25 mins) Rory and Ken talk about various aspects of what it is like to go through counselling training, including: what brings people to train as counsellors the relevance of Chiron, the Greek mythological 'wounded healer' possible effects of training on you as a person possible effects of training on your relationships importance of self-care support available for people who have been out of the world of study for some time how technology now supports the study how Bloom's taxonomy is used in counselling course criteria. Rory has written an e-book on surviving counselling training - you can download this here or through Counselling Study Resource (CSR). Data Protection and GDPR for Therapists (starts at 23.15 mins) In 2016, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was passed in the European parliament; in 2018, it became enforceable. The GDPR is all about data protection. Ken and Rory talk about GDPR for therapists and the various aspects of this important piece of legislation, including: when and how to register with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) how to ensure that your website is GDPR-compliant, e.g. in its cookie policy how long you need to store counselling notes. You can contact the ICO if you have any specific queries that you can't see answered on its website. We have a lecture dedicated to GDPR for therapists in our Counsellor CPD library, and this important topic is also covered in our 80-hour Online and Telephone Counselling course. Returning to Counselling Practice (starts at 33.30 mins) Rory talks with Paul Cullen - a counsellor based in Thirsk, North Yorkshire - about his career to date. Having qualified as a counsellor in 2007, Paul worked briefly in private practice before taking some years away from the counselling profession to do related work. In this interview, Paul shares his experiences of returning to counselling practice, including: steps taken when returning to counselling practice refreshing of his knowledge and skills through the Counselling Tutor Podcast feelings on beginning client sessions again the process of rejoining a professional body his experience of taking the BACP's Certificate of Proficiency what being a counsellor means to him the rebuilding of his confidence ways to counteract the imposter syndrome effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on his work his experience of working online the contribution of our Online and Telephone Counselling Course. Links and Resources Counselling Skills Academy Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide Counsellor CPD Counselling Study Resource Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide Counselling Tutor Training and CPD Facebook group Website Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner’s Guide Online and Telephone Counselling Course

Keeping in the Client's Frame of Reference - Choosing a Video Background In episode 183 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly share their tips on getting into and staying within the client's frame of reference. 'Digital Counselling Revolution' then looks at choosing a video background for your online counselling work. Last, Rory interviews integrative psychotherapist Emily Mitchell about her online therapy research, particularly on her findings about the relational aspect of online counselling. Keeping in the Client's Frame of Reference (starts at 1.25 mins) Rory and Ken discuss this important topic, covering a range of areas: what a frame of reference is what it means to be in the client's frame of reference how to avoid your own frame of reference contaminating your attending to the client skills used to support getting in - and staying within - the therapeutic relationship the role of patience, and how this benefits the client. How to keep in the client's frame of reference is a topic much discussed in the Counselling Tutor Facebook group. If you're not already a member of this group, why not come along and ask to join? There, you'll find over 36,000 students, practitioners, supervisors and students interested in the world of counselling and psychotherapy. Rory has produced a free handout on the rules of therapeutic pacing - you can download this here or through Counselling Study Resource (CSR). Choosing a Video Background (starts at 16.10 mins) Whichever video conferencing platform you are using, you need to be thoughtful about the background that clients will see during sessions - and to be aware too of the background they show you. In effect, the client is inviting you into their home (if that is where they are having their online therapy). Ken and Rory provide a range of tips on video backgrounds, including the following: Talk to the client during contracting about backgrounds, ensuring they have considered that you will be able to see theirs. Avoid then commenting on the client's background. Plan your background just as you would your counselling room. Choose a neutral background. Avoid personal items in your own background (e.g. family photos) and also any distracting items/colours or anything that might be triggering or upsetting for clients (this may vary between individual clients). Test out your online background with a colleague before using it with clients. Ken and Rory discuss in some detail the use of virtual backgrounds, including the pros and cons, when they might be appropriate, and how to explain your use of them to the client. Standard virtual backgrounds do have some technological shortcomings, and more sophisticated options are available. Choosing your video background is one of the topics covered in our 80-hour Online and Telephone Counselling course, which has already trained thousands of therapists in online working. It is also included in our book, Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner's Guide. Online Therapy Research Findings (starts at 28.25 mins) Rory talks with Emily Mitchell, who has recorded a lecture for Counsellor CPD, our digital library for qualified practitioners. Emily recently undertook a qualitative research study on the relational aspects of online therapy, finding that relational depth is still entirely possible. The online therapy research used the subjective lived experience of six experienced integrative psychotherapists, who concluded overall that online therapy is different from face-to-face working, but is 'much more than second-best'. Emily summarises the various themes that arose in her online therapy research, including: what is seen and what is hidden intimacy and distance openness to connection importance of attitude and skillset. Links and Resources Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision

Making Reasonable Adjustments Online - Interview with NCS Chief Executive Episode 182 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast opens with a discussion between Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly on the tasks of supervision in counselling. 'Digital Counselling Revolution' then focuses on making reasonable adjustments online. Finally, Rory interviews Meg Moss, Chief Executive of the National Counselling Society (NCS) about her work. Tasks of Supervision in Counselling (starts at 1.55 mins) Rory and Ken explore the tasks of supervision in counselling, which they split into four categories: formative normative restorative ethics Explaining the meaning of each of these, they note that clinical supervision was originally based on the apprenticeship model. Supervision is not personal counselling, and the supervisor has a responsibility to both the supervisee and their clients, ensuring that all work is in their service. Supervisors will look not so much at the content of what clients are bringing as at how the supervisee is working with this. Each supervisee-supervisor relationship is unique. The presenters provide guidance on what to expect from supervision and what you take to it. Expanding on this, Rory has produced a free handout on the tasks of supervision in counselling - you can download this here or through Counselling Study Resource (CSR). Making Reasonable Adjustments Online (starts at 14.00 mins) 'Reasonable adjustments' in the context of counselling are changes to remove or reduce the effect of a client's disability so they can access therapy. Ken provides the example of recording an audio file of discussing the counselling contract that can then be sent to a sight-impaired client to facilitate their review. Ken and Rory discuss the importance of making reasonable adjustments, and how the nature of these may vary between face-to-face and online working. It is acknowledged that change can be challenging for both clients and counsellors, but that the growth of online counselling is one that looks set to be sustained, even when it is possible to return to face-to-face working. Key to successful working online is to have an online mindset, ensuring that you don't see online counselling as second-best somehow. This is just one of the topics that is discussed in our 80-hour Online and Telephone Counselling course, which has already trained thousands of therapists in online working. It is also covered in our book, Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner's Guide. Interview with NCS Chief Executive (starts at 27.05 mins) Rory talks to Meg Moss, Chief Executive of the NCS, about her work. In particular, Meg responds to questions on: her journey to get to her current role (which began six years ago, when she joined NCS as an administrator) the changes she has overseen at NCS (two major ones of which are the COVID-19 pandemic and SCoPEd) what a typical day looks like in Meg's diary (with Meg concluding that there is no such thing really, but that most days involve discussing and liaising with multiple individuals and bodies) her hopes for the future in her current role. Meg emphasises the importance of working in the service of members, given that NCS is a membership organisation. As part of this, a new Head of Membership Services has recently been appointed. Links and Resources Counselling Skills Academy Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide Counsellor CPD Counselling Study Resource Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide Counselling Tutor Training and CPD Facebook group Website Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner’s Guide Online and Telephone Counselling Course

Special Edition - BACP SCoPEd NOTE: BACP has issued the following statement clarifying the reference made in this podcast to counselling and psychotherapy being considered high risk by the PSA:  The PSA has not yet conducted a risk assessment of their accredited professions, and we would like to apologise for the error in communication. What we intended to convey was that the PSA is publicly committed to taking a risk assessment approach and that looking at the current list of voluntary accredited registers (not statutory regulated), it is quite possible that counselling and psychotherapy would be seen as higher risk when compared to some other occupations. The PSA's approach to risk assessment for statutory and voluntary registers was published in 2016, and you can read more on their website. You can also read about the SCoPed project here: https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-us/advancing-the-profession/scoped/  SCoPEd (Scope of Practice and Education) is a project to set out the training requirements and practice standards for counselling and psychotherapy. It is much discussed in the Counselling Tutor Facebook group. In this special edition of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Rory Lees-Oakes interviews Caroline Jesper and Jens Bakewell of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Caroline Jesper is Head of Professional Standards at BACP. She has previously worked as a BACP Accreditation Assessor and as a Professional Standards Development Facilitator, developing BACP competencies and curricula. She is a supervisor and a BACP-accredited counsellor - and was a senior lecturer for many years, developing and delivering counselling and supervision training. Jens Bakewell is an ecotherapist, supervisor and counselling trainer who works part-time in BACP's accreditation team, assessing applications for accreditation for individuals, courses and services. Caroline and Jens answer a range of questions, which we list below, with some of the information they provided. To hear the full questions and their answers, please listen to the podcast.   Click any question below to see the answer. Why is BACP not seeking government regulation of the profession rather than going down the route of SCoPEd? Going back to 2012, statutory regulation was being discussed by the government, with the then Health Professions Council as the regulatory body. However, there were some difficulties reaching consensus on the professional standards. Following a general election, the idea of statutory regulation (which would always be a decision to be made by Parliament rather than by a profession) was dropped, but BACP had realised that it made sense to prepare for the future possibility of this being raised again. The Professional Standards Authority's current consultation has highlighted a desire for shared standards with different entry points for professions, together with an 'enhanced regulation model', which ranks professions by risk. The profession of counselling and psychotherapy is seen by the PSA as high risk in this model. SCoPEd again helps us prepare. Would it not be better for BACP to align with the European Certificate of Psychotherapy (which is held by around 120,000 psychotherapists across 41 European countries) - or indeed the World Council for Psychotherapy - rather than having SCoPEd? Given that different countries have their own legislation governing psychotherapy, it is not as easy as it might seem to work outside one's own territory. But BACP - which already has international recognition - may well link in with these wider initiatives in future. And SCoPEd will help it do so, and help individual BACP members to apply for the European Certificate of Psychotherapy if they so wish. What does SCoPEd mean for students, qualified practitioners and accredited members? Might their work so far be wasted?

Stages in the Counselling Relationship - Referrals in Online Counselling In Episode 181 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly talk about the different stages in the counselling relationship. 'Digital Counselling Revolution' then examines the process of making referrals in online (as opposed to face-to-face) counselling. Last, Rory interviews Maggi McAllister-MacGregor about a new lecture she has recently produced for Counsellor CPD on neuroscience and counselling. Stages in the Counselling Relationship (starts at 1.30 mins) Being aware of stages of the counselling relationship and the skills required at each of these is an important element of passing the advanced skills assessments that form part of all practitioner-level counselling training courses. The counselling relationship can be seen as having three phases: beginning middle end Ken and Rory talk through the challenges and rewards of each stage, and the skills that are particularly pertinent at each. If you're not already a member of the Counselling Tutor Facebook group, why not come along and exchange views on this topic with other students, practitioners, tutors and supervisors in the world of counselling and psychotherapy? While the field of counselling is an area for scientific research, so that we have an evidence base on which to base our practice, Rory notes that it is also very much an art. He uses the analogy of the theatre to illustrate the three phases of the counselling relationship, from the characters' first appearance on stage to their leaving at the final curtain. Of course, for some clients, there may be a sequel - either with the same counsellor or with another agency, through the referral process. You can also download a free handout on the stages in counselling here or through Counselling Study Resource (CSR). Referrals in Online Counselling (starts at 18.05 mins) Ken and Rory discuss how different the referral process can be in online versus face-to-face counselling. Perhaps the biggest difference is that in face-to-face work, you will generally be working with clients from the local area, and so you can develop a detailed knowledge of local agencies and individuals there who may be helpful. Once you are working online, however, clients may live at the other end of the country, and so you will naturally be less familiar with possible referral routes and processes. Ken and Rory describe solutions to this, including the search tool on Helplines Partnership's website, which allows you to search for UK agencies by keyword, topic and region. If you are actually making a referral yourself, rather than simply signposting clients to agencies for self-referral, it's vital to ensure that you follow the Caldicott Principles. This important set of principles was developed in 1997 following a review (chaired by Dame Fiona Caldicott) of how the NHS handled confidential patient information. This topic is covered in more detail in our new book, Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner's Guide, and our course, Online and Telephone Counselling, which has already trained thousands of therapists in online working. Neuroscience and Counselling (starts at 31.15 mins) Rory talks to Maggi McAllister-MacGregor about neuroscience in the world of counselling and psychotherapy, including: how long the discipline of neuroscience has been around technological developments in the last 20 years what neuroscience can tell us about how the human brain functions the brain-body connection the role of the vagus nerve neuroscience in trauma application of neuroscience to counselling practice psychoeducation of counselling clients, and effect on psychological contact possible areas for future research. Our online Counsellor CPD library offers hundreds of hours of on-demand CPD lectures, training and resources to support your continuing ...

Idiosyncratic Empathy - Interview with ACTO Chair Episode 180 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast opens with Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly discussing the skill of idiosyncratic empathy. Then, in 'Digital Counselling Revolution', Rory interviews Adrian Rhodes, Chair of the Association for Counselling and Therapy Online (ACTO). Finally, in 'Practice Matters', we have another guest - this time Kairen Griffiths, speaking about teenage brain development. Idiosyncratic Empathy (starts at 1.30 mins) In the Student Check-In, Ken and Rory explore idiosyncratic empathy, which is particularly relevant in both skills practice and written assignments. Areas of this topic covered in the discussion include what it is and what it is not, examples of interventions that would show strong idiosyncratic empathy, and examples of those that would not (for example, 'rescuing' responses). Understanding the term 'idiosyncratic empathy' can be made easier by breaking it down into the two words it comprises. The term was coined by person-centred therapist Jerold Bozarth, who asserted that empathy was dynamic, changing in line with the individual client and their specific situation. This takes empathy to a deeper level, beyond the mere reflection of words to a more personal and individualistic level that is different in each therapeutic relationship. In other words, empathy is as varied as the different clients we are likely to meet. You can download a free handout on idiosyncratic empathy here or through Counselling Study Resource (CSR). And if you're keen to learn more about this important skill, you might like to get hold of a copy of Ken's book, Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide, which includes a whole chapter on idiosyncratic empathy. In the CSR, you can also hear explanations of the full range of counselling skills - with audio files illustrating them in simulated sessions. Interview with ACTO Chair (starts at 17.10 mins) In Rory's interview with ACTO Chair Adrian Rhodes, you can hear about: the history of ACTO its founding members ACTO's purpose membership levels and what they mean benefits of ACTO membership similarities and differences between face-to-face and online therapy the therapeutic relationship when working online client presentations for which online therapy is particularly helpful. You can read more about ACTO on its website, which there are plans to develop in the near future. You might also like to consider our full course, Online and Telephone Counselling, which has already trained thousands of therapists in online working. We are a recognised ACTO Online Training Provider and this course enables counsellors who successfully complete it to join ACTO at Level 1, with a subsequent option to take the assessment for ACTO Level 2 Professional Membership. Teenage Brain Development (starts at 32.40 mins) Rory talks to Kairen Griffiths, who has recently recorded a fascinating lecture for Counsellor CPD on teenage brain development. Kairen and Rory talk about what you need to know to be able to work with teenagers or their carers, including: how and when the teenage brain develops the ways in which the development of the teenage brain may affect mood and behaviour. The lecture will be invaluable for counsellors working with teenagers and also for those working with adults whose presenting issues relate to teenagers, supporting you to be able to offer ideas and strategies to help both these client groups. Links and Resources Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide Counsellor CPD Counselling Study Resource Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide Counselling Tutor Shop Facebook group Website Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner's Guide Online and Telephone Counselling Course

New Book from Counselling Tutor - Peek into Rory's Practice In episode 179 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly offer tips for students on succeeding in their counselling research projects. There's then an exciting announcement in 'Digital Counselling Revolution' about a brand-new book from the team. Finally, in 'Practice Matters', the presenters launch a new feature - 'Peek into Practice' - which they illustrate through a conversation about Rory's experience as a school counsellor. Counselling Research Projects: Tips for Students (starts at 1.50 mins) All practitioner-level counselling training courses include a research project as one of the final-year assessment requirements. This piece of work is regularly discussed in our Facebook group. Rory and Ken offer some tips on how to go about counselling research projects: Be sure you can deliver your project in the time allowed, making sure you choose a topic that is of a manageable size. Think about where and how you will do your secondary research (i.e. reviewing the current literature describing other people’s research findings) and primary research (i.e. gathering your own data). Try to resist getting bogged down in data-gathering, as there is also work to be done after this stage: analysing it, pulling out conclusions and preparing your presentation. If your counselling research project is a pair or group work, then split the work between you for efficiency. If you are in a group, think about agreeing a chair who coordinates the work. Remember that your work will be measured on the written report you provide and your presentation, so invest some time in preparing these. Ken concludes this segment of the podcast by running through some tips on how to present in a way that gets your message across clearly and holds the audience’s attention. Rory has produced a handout entitled ‘The Importance of Research in Counselling’, which you can download here or via the Counselling Study Resource (CSR). New Book from Counselling Tutor (starts at 15.00 mins) Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, online and telephone therapy has been experiencing a period of rapid growth. Counsellors need to ensure that they have trained to meet clients' call for remote therapy at this time and in the future. Rory and Ken are pleased and proud to announce the launch of a new book to add to Counselling Tutor's other publications. Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner's Guide is aimed at qualified counsellors and at students who are in placement or working towards this. This new book acts as a guide, walking you through the theory, ethics, law and practice of adding online and telephone counselling to your practice. It includes: the paperwork templates you will need for your online practice access to an online companion course, 'Introduction to Online and Telephone Counselling', to strengthen and underpin your learning. The book is available on Amazon and via the Counselling Tutor Shop. You might also like to consider our full course, Online and Telephone Counselling, which has already trained thousands of therapists in online working. Again, this is open to qualified practitioners or to students who are either in - or about to start -placement. Peek into Rory's Practice (starts at 26.45 mins) In this new feature, we will talk to practitioners in the world of counselling and psychotherapy about their practice life. To illustrate this, Rory kicks off by telling us about his time as a school counsellor, including: his daily routine what type of clients he saw how clients were referred to him the challenges of his work environment the rewards of his work. Would you like to speak about your counselling work? If so, please email Rory at rory@counsellingtutor.com and tell him a little about who you are, what modality you use,

Integrative vs Eclectic Therapy - Geographical Considerations in Online Counselling Episode 178 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast opens with a discussion between Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly about the differences between integrative and eclectic counselling. Then, 'Digital Counselling Revolution' looks at geographical considerations when working therapeutically online. Last, in 'Practice Matters', the presenters explain the three main mental health models. Integrative versus Eclectic Counselling (starts at 1.30 mins) A question was recently raised in our Facebook group about the difference between integrative and eclectic counselling. There is much debate on this in the counselling and psychotherapy profession. Both approaches combine different modalities of therapy; Rory and Ken use the analogy of cooking to illustrate how they view the differences between integrative and eclectic counselling. In integrative therapy, the client would not be able to spot the 'joins' between modalities - this is rather like combining a number of ingredients into a particular culinary dish. Of course, this may or may not turn out to taste good. The chance of it tasting good is likely to be greater if the cook is reflective and has experience. Some counselling courses are integrative, and will train you in how to blend the various modalities that you are taught. In eclectic therapy, the client would be able to detect that different approaches were being used - this is rather like presenting a selection of raw ingredients. This approach may be adopted by a therapist who has trained in one modality but has then gone on to add others at a later stage. A third approach - which is receiving a lot of attention currently - is pluralistic counselling, which is about offering a range of approaches and supporting the client to choose which of these they would like to try. If you feel drawn to add other modalities to your existing one(s), you may like to reflect on what draws you to do this, and the extent to which their underlying philosophies are consistent with each other. Rory has produced a handout on the advantages and disadvantages of the integrative approach. You can download this here, or via the Counselling Study Resource (CSR). We also have an article on integrative and eclectic counselling on our website. Geographical Considerations in Online Counselling (starts at 14.55 mins) One benefit of online counselling is that it can be done from a distance - this means that if a face-to-face client moves away, for example, it is possible still to continue working with them, so offering a lot of flexibility. However, this may apply only if you will still both be in the same country. Different countries have different laws about counselling and psychotherapy, for example some European countries operate a system where certain job titles (such as 'psychotherapist') are protected. Other countries (e.g. the USA) require therapists to be registered in the state where the client is living. There are even differences within the UK, between England and Scotland (e.g. on rules governing counselling related to adoption). Another consideration when counselling a client from a distance away, even within the same jurisdiction, is your referral networks. If the client needs to be referred, will you know which organisations can help them? Participants on our course, Online and Telephone Counselling - which has now trained over 10,000 therapists in online working - create a network of national agencies that enables you to do this confidently. The course is open to qualified practitioners or to students who are either in placement or about to start this. Mental Health Models (starts at 28.30 mins) Rory and Ken talk about: what mental health is the three key mental health models-medical, psychological and social what characterises each.