Counselling Tutor Podcast

Latest Episodes:

299 – Differences between Counselling Young People and Adults Apr 27, 2024

Show notes

Taking Risks in Therapy - Referencing for Assignments In Episode 299 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly are back with this week's three topics: Firstly in 'Ethical, Sustainable Practice', we look at the differences between counselling children and young people vs. adults. Then in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Sally-Anne Armitage about taking risks in therapy. And lastly in 'Student Services', Rory and Ken look at the art of referencing in your assignments. Differences between Counselling Young People and Adults [starts at 03:24 mins] Some students might already know that they want to work with children and young people. In this section, Rory and Ken discuss the differences between counselling young people and adults, and why practicing with younger clients requires specialist training: Many meta-models of therapy were developed for adults. Every adult was once a child - by working with adults first, you can gain a greater understanding of the impact and importance of childhood on adulthood. Children have less autonomy - you're working within a frame of reference that is much more limited. Working with children requires specialist training. One of the key differences between counselling children/young people and adults is the fact that children's cognitive, emotional, and social development stages differ significantly from adults. Can the child comprehend therapy fully? Do they know what it is? Can the young person fully understand their choices? Confidentiality - does the child understand you may need to break confidentiality? Having their trust broken at an early age can impact their adulthood. Make sure you understand your organisation's confidentiality policy. Seeing what skills work best e.g. silence might be less effective when counselling young people. Building up trust is incredibly important - it might need to be built up differently. Rewind your phenomenology - look at things from a child's frame of reference. Taking Risks in Therapy [starts at 36:36 mins] In this week's 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Sally-Anne Armitage about taking risks in therapy. The key points of this discussion include: Touch - could you offer a hug to a client? If you think it's what a client might need in the moment and you also feel comfortable with it - why not ask? If sessions become too formal, we risk losing the human aspect of sessions. Acknowledge if something doesn't quite land - maybe you make a joke or comment that didn't break tension as well as you would've liked. Little moments of humanity could really help the therapeutic relationship. They might also help to make a client feel more comfortable in sessions. Be aware of yourself - act based on observations and consider your actions. Referencing for Assignments [starts at 54:47 mins] During your training, you'll need to complete many assignments. In this section, Rory and Ken discuss how we can make referencing easier for ourselves, and its purpose: By adding a reference, you're evidencing your critical thinking. Find out the expectations of your tutor - find out what referencing style they are looking for and see if you can have an example. Look for online tools to help you reference - but try to stay away from AI as they might be inaccurate. You're evidencing the fact that you've read widely and engaged with the subject. Allows you to evidence how you reached your conclusion. Allows people to build on your argument. You should be referencing where ideas have come from, making sure you are not claiming things as your own if they aren't. There are lots of different things you can reference: a textbook, a journal article, a magazine, a newspaper, a YouTube video etc. 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

298 – Self-Care for Counsellors Apr 20, 2024

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Addressing Racial Identity - Neurodivergence within PD Groups In Episode 298 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly are back with this week's three topics: Firstly in 'Ethical, Sustainable Practice', we look at resilience and self-care for counsellors and therapists. Then in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Sarah Henry about the significance of addressing racial identity. And lastly in 'Student Services', Rory and Ken discuss neurodivergence within PD groups. Resilience and Self-Care for Counsellors [starts at 02:00 mins] In order to look after your practice, you need to look after yourself. In this section, Rory and Ken discuss the importance of resilience and self-care for counsellors, and some of the ways you can practice this: Your counselling work should be bracketed, find things outside of work that you can focus on and enjoy. Be an active participant in your own well-being. Know yourself and your triggers - address things with your own personal therapy, and don't be afraid to refer a client. Engage in a hobby or interest. Another self-care tip for counsellors and finding their own mindfulness. Engage in supervision and peer support - it can be a big help to share something that is worrying you or playing on your mind. We're responsible to the client, not for the client - it's about finding that balance. Review your supervision - are you getting the most out of it? Practising self-care as a counsellor also means creating your boundaries and keeping them. Take breaks when you need them. Sharpen your competencies with CPD - CPD is more than courses and certificates, it can be as simple as listening to a podcast such as this one. Addressing Racial Identity [starts at 30:11 mins] In this week's 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Sarah Henry, a race trainer, about the significance of addressing racial identity. The key points of this discussion include: The fear of offending somebody can't be avoided, but it can be worked through. It's about building up the resilience and the courage to go through the fear and tolerate the experience of being vulnerable when having conversations about race and identity. Conversations about race don't have to feel uncomfortable - questions that come from a place of respect and genuine curiosity open up conversations for mutual understanding. Sometimes there is a gap in your knowledge, not from malice, but from a lack of experience. Talking about race should be guilt free and free from fear - if you get something wrong, you can apologise and move forward with this gained knowledge. Neurodivergence within PD Groups [starts at 56:57 mins] For some counselling students who are neurodiverse, personal development groups might be uncomfortable. In this section, Rory and Ken ponder how neurodivergence might present in PD groups - and whether something has to change: Sometimes, communication within personal development groups can feel especially difficult for those who are neurodivergent. It's possible to sit in a PD group without saying a word, and still come out having had incredible process and breakthroughs - it is an internal process of personal development, individual to you. However, because of certain expectations that come with being in a PD group, we can feel pressured to speak and/or act in a certain way. Some people may feel they have to do what is expected of them, and that prevents you from meeting the real person. Could PD groups be adapted to understand a neurodivergent way of being? Links and Resources Sarah Henry's website 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

297 – Scams Targeting Therapists Apr 13, 2024

Show notes

Using Counselling Skills as a Filmmaker - Finding Your Voice in Supervision In Episode 297 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly are back with this week's three topics: Firstly in 'Ethical, Sustainable Practice', Rory and Ken discuss navigating and protecting yourself from scams targeting therapists. Then in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Alex Gulland about how, as a filmmaker, she uses counselling skills to make sure the people she interviews are heard and understood. And lastly in 'Student Services', we look at finding your voice in supervision. Avoiding Scams Targeting Therapists [starts at 03:25 mins] Unfortunately, scams have become increasingly common. It's important that we can recognise when something isn't quite right, and take precautions to protect ourselves. The key points of this discussion on scams targeting therapists include: Overpayment scam - where someone pretending to be a potential client will ask if they can pay for 10 sessions in advance before sending the amount for 20 sessions. They would then ask to be refunded for the overpayment before reversing their transaction, leaving you out of pocket. In order to avoid this, say that you will refund the transaction within 7-10 days to ensure the money is deposited into your account before giving it back. Directory scam - they might request banking information from you, allowing them to take out loans in your name. This is a form of identity theft. Be wary of being asked for information such as your full name, your address, or your card details via phone or email. Don't allow yourself to be pressured or emotionally manipulated. Another way to protect yourself from scams targeting therapists is being wary of clicking links you get sent - check the address that it has been sent from. Using Counselling Skills as a Filmmaker [starts at 24:48 mins] In this week's 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Alex Gulland about how she uses her counselling skills to make sure the people she interviews are heard and understood. The main points of this section include: Alex has found that using counselling skills can be helpful when interviewing for a documentary on difficult events. It's very directive in comparison to a counselling session - this keeps that boundary in place and prevents it from turning into a counselling session. It's important to be strict with your emotional boundaries, be assured that you are doing all that you can to help. This will keep that emotional distance in place. Making sure they have support as they walk away from the interview after recounting traumatic events. Being mindful of the emotions brought up in an interview, pick up on body language etc. Finding Your Voice in Supervision [starts at 47:11 mins] In order to get the most out of your supervision, you need to be able to find your voice. In this section, Rory and Ken share some things to think about when it comes to your relationship with your supervisor, and whether you're getting the most out of those sessions: Remember that your supervisor isn't trying to catch you out. You're allowed to say if you're unsure of something. You can challenge and discuss with your supervisor. It's important to be open and honest, bring your full self. There is the opportunity for you to learn from each other. You want an interesting and balanced relationship where you look for what is best for the client. You might have more up-to-date knowledge than your supervisor and it's okay to share that with them. Can you be your best self in supervision? Supervision should be a collaborative process. You should see each other as equal colleagues, without the teacher/student dynamic. Links and Resources Alex Gulland 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

Special Edition: Blogging for Therapists Apr 06, 2024

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Special Edition: Blogging for Therapists In this special episode of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your host Rory Lees-Oakes speaks with Daragh McLoughlin from WebHealer about blogging for therapists. The main points of this conversation include: Blogging gives you a space on your therapist website to share your knowledge and expertise. Allows you to start a conversation with a potential client before you've even met - you can offer reassurance, letting them know they're not alone through the topics you discuss in your blog. Adding a blog to your therapy website allows you to discuss topics in greater detail without being intimidating or overwhelming. Blogging gives you a larger reach, builds trustworthiness that will help your search engine ranking and can be shared among colleagues. Refer to the blogs of your counselling peers if you think they could be of use to someone, and they could do the same with yours. Try to add testimonials or briefly mention your credentials in your therapy blog. Show interest in professional development - you might choose to write about any CPD you did recently. Stimulate conversation, discuss a topic for people to debate over and interact with. Being active online gives people something to work with, look at, and engage with. By writing a therapy blog, you're putting yourself out there and helping to build your trustworthiness. 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

296 – Counsellor Safety Mar 23, 2024

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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. If you can, consider taking a day off work when you return to give yourself time to process. Journaling will be an important process in working through what you have learnt and discovered. 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

295 – Outdoor Therapy for Children Mar 16, 2024

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Enhancing Your First Contact with Counselling Clients - Challenges of Compulsory Placement Supervision In Episode 295 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly are back with this week's three topics: Firstly in 'Ethical, Sustainable Practice', we look at crafting meaningful connections and enhancing that first contact with potential clients. Then in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Kate Beckwith about how she uses the outdoors, animals, and art to provide children and young people with a unique therapeutic experience. And lastly in 'Student Services', Rory and Ken look at the challenges of being asked to have compulsory placement supervision with a certain supervisor. Enhancing Your First Contact with Counselling Clients [starts at 03:25 mins] Your first contact with a client is one of the most important moments in the therapeutic relationship. In this section, Rory and Ken take us through why this interaction is so important, and how you can make it count: A person is taking a big step by reaching out, it's important they're not discouraged from getting the help that they need. Look at your online presence and make sure all your contact details are up to date. Admin - keep on top of your emails and voicemails, section out a part of your day that you can dedicate to this. Have a personalised answerphone message - show empathy, name your practice so they know they've reached the right place, ask them to say when will be convenient for you to call back, and give a time period that you'll get back to them by. Avoid counselling jargon in your answerphone message or auto responder. Look at things from the client's perspective, how can we be personal to the person who is reaching out to us? Don't overwhelm anyone with information at first contact. Consider offering a free 'get to know' session. Invite any questions that they might have. Be careful that a client doesn't offer too much of their presentation over the phone. Don't make any early assumptions about a client and what they're bringing. Choice-Led Outdoor Therapy for Kids and Young People [starts at 36:55 mins] In this week's 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Kate Beckwith about her work with the outdoors, animals, and art to make counselling a unique experience for children and young people. The key points of this discussion on outdoor therapy for kids include: Kate has 2.5 acres of land that she uses for her practice with various animals such as goats, pigs, chickens, and guinea pigs. Practicing outside can allow you to observe a client in a comfortable, relaxed, and facilitating environment. Children find the experience exciting. Outdoor therapy for kids offer them choice and a sense of freedom. You can notice how the client feels internally from their external behaviour and interactions with their surroundings. Helps to speed up the therapeutic relationship. It's important to find suitable insurance and licenses if you plan on having animals. Put boundaries in place and take extra considerations when it comes to safety and risk assessment. The client is going to need to be wearing sensible clothing. You don't have to have an incredibly big space to offer outdoor therapy for kids and young people - consider incorporating it into your own garden or outdoor space. Challenges of Compulsory Placement Supervision [starts at 01:04:09 mins] Supervision is so important to your practice, but so is completing your placement. In this section, Rory and Ken discuss some of the pros, cons, and considerations of having a placement appointed supervisor: It's always important to feel comfortable with your supervisor - you shouldn't feel the need to hide any of your clients from them, even if you've made a mistake. The cost of having a supervisor given to you by your placement might be lower than finding your own. They might have a special understanding of client presentations within the organisation or charity you are placed at. Ideally, you want a supervisor who matches your values. It can be challenging if you're in a position where your practice manager is also your supervisor - you might feel unable to express if you are unhappy in your placement. You might have more than one placement - this would result in fragmented supervision. You might consider paying for your own supervisor, however then there is a risk of your own supervisor and your placement supervisor contradicting each other. This requires you to independently make and maintain a defensible decision. Links and Resources Kate Beckwith's website 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

294 – Linking Theory to Practice in Counselling Mar 09, 2024

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Finding New Therapy Clients through Blogging - Combining REBT with Fitness Coaching In Episode 294 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 how to unlock new clients through blogging. Then in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks to Ruth Hill about how she combines REBT with fitness coaching. And lastly in 'Student Services', Rory and Ken look at linking theory to practice in counselling, or recognising where theory applies to actual practice in the therapy room. Finding New Therapy Clients through Blogging [starts at 03:25 mins] When it comes to gaining clients, your online presence can be a great way to encourage people to get in contact with you. In this section, Rory and Ken look at how having a blog can help draw in these potential clients: People very often do their research before committing to a service or a purchase. Potential clients might be looking for a counsellor who's writing about things they've gone through, from a client's perspective. Know, like, and trust - these are all key when it comes to making a decision, just like when buying clothing etc. Write about anything you specialise in, or any niches you have. Regularly updating your blog will enhance your visibility on search engines. Search engines are very competitive, you want to be using keywords to appear as close to the top as you can. Think about educating and empowering - you're helping them to make their own informed decision. Helps a possible client to feel less alone in their troubles and experiences. Include a call to action, encourage them to take the next step. Having a blog can bring networking opportunities with other professionals. Combining REBT with Fitness Coaching [starts at 26:11 mins] In this week's 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Ruth Hill about how she uses REBT in relation to fitness coaching. The key points of this discussion include: Exercise can make significant contributions in reducing anxiety and depression. Motivation is the thing you're working towards - the thing that compels you to exercise, take action. REBT looks for unhealthy beliefs which can trigger uncomfortable, unpleasant emotions. Creates a healthy preference instead of a need for certainty. You can explore the link between the symptoms of anxiety, excitement, and exercise. Changing your thinking - is this helpful? Have you checked that this belief is accurate? Changing your vocabulary - acknowledge when you're exercising, even something as simple as walking around a shopping centre. Balancing rational thought. The power of positive self-talk. Linking Theory to Practice in Counselling [starts at 49:25 mins] Linking theory to practice is a necessary skill during your counselling training. In this section, Rory and Ken share some helpful tips on how to recognise these links: Don't see the client as a theory - think about how the theory applies to the client. Reflect on the general theme of a client's difficulty and link that to theory. The theory will naturally weave its way in - the trick is dissecting and pulling it out afterwards. Asking a peer, being the observer, training yourself to pick out the theory - these will help you link theory to practice in counselling. Use your process notes to help you recognise these themes. You might have to wait for themes to emerge in their own time as the client opens up and shares things at their own pace. 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

293 – EAP Counselling Mar 02, 2024

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Why Hire an Accountant - How to Handle Negative Feedback In Episode 293 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly discuss this week's three topics: Firstly in 'Ethical, Sustainable Practice', we take a deep dive into Employment Assistant Programs or EAP counselling. Then in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Kassim Harunani about why you might hire an accountant as a counsellor in private practice. And lastly in 'Student Services', Rory and Ken look at how to handle, receive, and process negative feedback. EAP Counselling Pros and Cons [starts at 03:28 mins] The EAP are there for companies to be able to support their employees, and you might be interested in playing a role in that. In this section, Rory and Ken take us through some pros and cons of working as a counsellor for EAPs: The services provided by the EAP will be paid for by the company, not the client themselves. This means the service might come with certain limitations such as the amount of sessions you have, how your notes are kept and who sees them. When providing EAP counselling, you might get the opportunity to work with a wider range of presentations. It will provide a regular income. There is the chance for an EAP client to become a private client if they have the means, and decide they would like more sessions with you. In EAP counselling, there can be quite a bit of flexibility in terms of working hours and whether you work online/by telephone. Check what rate you will be paid - if the rate is lower than your own private sessions, weigh up if you are working enough hours to make up for this difference. When providing EAP counselling, you're required to work under the EAP's rules, and possibly under their contract. You may be provided with an internal supervisor. Look into how and when you will be paid. Be clear about any niches or specialties you might have to help with your chances of referrals. Why Hire an Accountant [starts at 31:44 mins] In this week's 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Kassim Harunani, Counselling Tutor's own accountant, about why you might consider hiring an accountant as a private practitioner. The key points of this discussion include: An accountant can use their experience and specialty to help you focus on your own. They will know what expenses you will be able to claim, e.g. can you use your company card to pay for fuel when travelling to a meeting? It's good to have a separate bank account for your business. This gives credibility and makes it easier to administer that account to your accountant. Banks will prefer for you to have a business account, and will look for it if you decide to take out a loan. Being a sole trader vs. a limited company - there is a difference in the way you are taxed on your profits depending which route you choose. There are more expenses that can be claimed as a limited company. You can discuss this decision with an accountant, looking at your business plan. If you use cash, keep receipts and records. Try to avoid holding cash and bank it when you can. You can only claim on training courses if they are a requirement of your workplace or are directly benefiting your business and your clients. If you decide to look for an accountant, look for one that belongs to a professional body. How to Handle Negative Feedback [starts at 57:02 mins] As a student, you are likely to receive both positive and negative feedback, and learning to accept it will be a vital skill. In this section, Rory and Ken offer advice on how you can go about receiving and processing negative feedback: Any feedback is useful as long as you can dissect it. Are you able to see it as constructive feedback? Think about what feelings come up for you when receiving feedback, is there any transference involved? How much pressure are you putting on yourself? Take emotion away from the feedback and look at the facts. Look at where the feedback is coming from - is it just an opinion, or is it qualified, constructive feedback. Is it helpful? You can decide what parts of feedback you want to take on. There is no failure, just first attempts at learning. Think about how you can give feedback from a place of kindness. 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

292 – Working with Self-Harm in Therapy Feb 24, 2024

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Ethical Framework in Supervision - Do's and Don'ts of Logging Client Hours In Episode 292 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly are back with this week's three topics: Firstly in 'Ethical, Sustainable Practice', we look at the ethical framework in supervision. Then in 'Practice Matters' Rory speaks with Kate Day about working with clients who self-harm in therapy. And lastly in 'Student Services', we look at the dos and don'ts of logging your client hours. Ethical Framework in Supervision [starts at 02:48 mins] When in supervision, the ethical framework is something that should come up regularly in relation to your topics of discussion. In this section, Rory and Ken highlight some of the reasons this can be so important: Revisiting your ethical framework will help make sure you understand your obligations. It can offer guidance in complex situations. It might not always be about a client, you can consult your ethical framework in relation to a professional challenge in an organisation. You might speak about protecting a client's data. It can allow you to make defensible decisions. Protects your practice. Fosters trust in the profession through ethical and successful counselling. Supports client welfare. Might help prevent potential instances before they come because you're aware of the ethical framework. Helps with your own professional development. If your supervisor doesn't bring it in, you can. Consider how does what you're bringing to supervision link to, or impact on, the ethical framework? Working with Self-Harm in Therapy [starts at 22:46 mins] In this week's 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Kate Day about working with clients who self-harm. The key points of this discussion include: There can be many reasons why people might self-harm: self-punishment in response to self-loathing or anger, to gain a sense of control or self-regulation, to express their distress, dissociate or relieve unbearable tension. Those who are neurodivergent are particularly vulnerable. The experience and meaning of self-harm can differ greatly from person to person. When working with self-harm in therapy, think about what is going on underneath the behaviour - what is driving the harm? There are many different ways to self-harm, and it's not always physical. Psychological-based self-harm - repeating harmful behaviours and patterns as a form of self-sabotage. Allow the client space and time to openly talk about their self-harm with a skilled and empathic practitioner. Remain non-judgemental. Facilitate change by working with and supporting the client, not by trying to 'fix' them. Practice coping strategies, see what works for them as an individual. When working with self-harm in therapy, find the underlying feelings. Listen to the client, pick up on non-verbal cues. Offer reassurance that their thoughts and anxieties are going to be taken seriously. If you feel there is a need to break confidentiality, be open and honest with the client, try to get their consent and help them to understand. The wound somebody may or may not have, doesn't necessarily show the severity of how distressed a person is feeling inside. Do's and Don'ts of Logging Client Hours [start at 44:57 mins] When in placement to become a qualified counsellor, don't let logging your hours incorrectly hold you back. In this section, Rory and Ken take us through some of the dos and don'ts of logging your client hours: Make sure you are logging your hours on the correct form, in the correct format. Find out how many hours you need. Make sure you are doing full counselling hours, not 20 or 30 minute sessions. Every hour has to be supervised - this also needs to be logged on your form. Look at your ethical body and your course requirements. What exactly do they need from you? Make sure your log is clear. Check requirements regarding if you have to have the same supervisor all the way through. Clarify anything you are unsure of - ask questions, look at guidelines, etc. 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

291 – Counselling Neurodivergent Young People Feb 17, 2024

Show notes

Changing Supervisors - AI and Transcribing Skills Sessions In Episode 291 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly are back with this week's three topics: Firstly in 'Ethical, Sustainable Practice', we look at supervision - when is it time to change your supervisor, or get a second one? Then in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Sian Clare about working with and counselling neurodivergent young people and students in education. And lastly in 'Student Services', we look at the use of AI in your studies, particularly transcribing skills sessions. Changing Supervisors [starts at 03:22 mins] You might be reluctant to think about changing your supervisor, but in this section, Rory and Ken highlight some of signs that it might be time to consider it: As yourself if your supervisor fits with the practice you have now. Are they trained within the modality you're working with? You might consider bringing in another supervisor for a certain part of your practice e.g. counselling online and/or over the phone, a specific skill set or niche. Are you growing in your practice? Being challenged? Receiving gentle challenges from your supervisor is a great way to grow and improve your own skills within your practice. Are they matching your ethics and your values? Do they encourage you to look to other areas and modalities? Counselling Neurodivergent Young People [starts at 21:15 mins] In this week's 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Sian Clare about working with neurodivergent young people and students in therapy. The key points of this discussion include: There are a high number of adolescents in therapy who are displaying neurodivergent traits - some are diagnosed, others aren't. It's important that you're able to pick up on these traits, being attuned to the client. Consider getting this extra training to be able to best support your clients. Ask questions, do an assessment, and build a picture of your client's needs. Try and put clients at ease as best you can. When counselling neurodivergent young people, cater to any sensory needs. Believe your client; understand their frame of reference. Help the client become comfortable with who they are, what they enjoy, and their differences from others. Help them to express their choices, 'I'm the sort of person who…' Is the client comfortable with eye contact? If not, consider how you will sit during your sessions. Adaptation, playing to their strengths, working with Providing psychoeducation for teachers can make a huge difference for the young person and their experience in school. Understanding masking is important when counselling neurodivergent young people. This element of CPD comes with employability and further opportunities. Know the clients special interest, it can be used as a way to help them regulate during sessions. AI and Transcribing Skills Sessions [starts at 45:08 mins] Client data needs to be protected, and that means taking extra care with it. In this section, Rory and Ken explain what to watch out for when using AI, and handling client data: It's important to be careful with client data. Don't record your skill sessions on a mobile phone. By using AI tools, you might inadvertently be broadcasting a client's story. Be wary of any tools that are free - the cost may be the data itself. Look at privacy policies, what data is captured, how data is stored, and who has access to that data. Look at whether the website is signed up to General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). Is it registered with the ICO? When transcribing skills sessions, it might be safer to do it yourself. 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

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