Counselling Tutor Podcast

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238 – How to Get Counselling Clients Oct 01, 2022

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Boundaries in Counselling - Race, Culture and Anti-Discrimination in Counselling In Episode 238 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly take us through this week's three topics: In 'Theory in Practice', we'll look at boundaries in counselling. Then in 'Practice Partner', Rory and Ken discuss how you might go about getting counselling clients - or more importantly, how clients might find you. And lastly in 'Practice Matters', Rory is speaking with Mamood Ahmad about race, culture and anti-discrimination in counselling. Boundaries in Counselling [starts at 02:46 mins] Boundaries are an important part of your work as a counsellor - both for you and your client. The key points of this discussion include: In your position as counsellor, you have power. Boundaries are therefore put in place as a way to stop harm or damage to either you or your client. There are different types of boundaries: Client facing boundaries e.g. your working hours and when you're willing to respond to clients. Time boundaries - keeping sessions to their set and contracted time. Legal and ethical boundaries. Touch boundaries - if instigated by the client and is purely for the client, it is up to you whether you allow this and where you set the boundary. Boundaries are fixed; they're not something moveable. Boundaries require mutual understanding - they're not just for you. Is someone presenting with something you don't feel confident working with? Can you give this client the best service? Know your own boundaries and capabilities. How to Get Counselling Clients [starts at 21:45 mins] When it comes to opening your own practice, you will need to get counselling clients. In this section, Rory and Ken discuss a few ways you may go about obtaining these clients: Counselling directories - these will allow you to advertise your services, but it's a crowded market with lots of other counsellors doing the same thing. If you have a specialism, this will help you to stand out and narrow down the competition. Local referrals - is there a local agency you can create a referral relationship with? Building relationships and networking is an important part of getting counselling clients. The client has a choice to make when looking for a counsellor - it is important to have a digital presence (e.g. website) so potential clients can learn more about you and how you work. Another option to look into to get counselling clients could be paid media. Race, Culture and Anti-Discrimination in Counselling [starts at 40:55 mins] In this week's 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Mamood Ahmad about race, culture, and anti-discrimination in counselling. The main points of this discussion include: Without an understanding of the clients culture or 'otherness', we won't be able to fully see the whole of the client, or meet them where they're at. As Rory quotes, 'the client can only go as far as the therapist has gone themselves.' Lots of different things make up a person: their upbringing, culture, race, and experiences. Everybody is the other - no one has had the exact same experience you have. Seek training in how to work with clients of differing cultures etc. so that you can be best in service of your clients. A question to think about: can you write an experience where power has been used against you? 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

237 – Record-Keeping in Counselling Sep 24, 2022

Show notes

Frame of Reference - Integrative Counselling In Episode 237 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly take us through this week's three topics: In 'Theory in Practice', we'll look at frame of reference. Then in 'Practice Partner' Rory and Ken will discuss record keeping in counselling. And lastly in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Ali Bate on integrative counselling. Frame of Reference [starts at 02:41 mins] When working with clients, you may be faced with an individual who has views very different to your own. This is when frame of reference becomes increasingly important. The key points of this discussion include: It is natural to want to defend your opinion or belief when faced with opposition - but this is obviously not an option within the therapy room. Try to understand why somebody is thinking the way they are - try to get into your client's frame of reference. Your frame of reference is made up of your experiences, culture and upbringing - this is what makes your 'truths'. It's useful to recognise your own frame of reference - journaling is a great place to do this. Understanding someone else's frame of reference doesn't mean you have to agree with it. Try your best not to feel under attack when faced with a frame of reference different from your own. Seek CPD to help with working with diverse client groups - this will expand your ability to be empathetic. Record-Keeping in Counselling [starts at 16:24 mins] When starting your own private practice, you are responsible for more than just session notes - and these will need to be stored appropriately. The main points of this section on record-keeping in counselling include: When running your practice you'll be in charge of: Invoices and receipts Date and time of appointments Any forms of communication with the client (texts, emails, etc.) Contracts Any kind of assessments or interventions you carry out These will all need to be kept securely and confidentially, as they all include a client's personal information. Look at legal and ethical regulations on record-keeping in counselling, and keep only what is required. Ensure your notes are accurate and include only fact - no opinions or assumptions. It's unwise to use free software to store client information - it will not be secure. Integrative Counselling [starts at 34:41 mins] In this week's 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Ali Bate on integrative counselling. The key points of this discussion include: Integrative counselling uses elements of other models alongside your main modality to better fit to client, instead of trying to fit to client to the model. This gives flexibility to how you work, but still maintains the authenticity of the concepts that make up your integrative model. Training is integrative - seek workshops and CPD to broaden knowledge and skills. Discuss this training with your supervision and find your reasons for wanting to develop the way you practice. Ask yourself if you have the skill set for this particular client. Find areas that interest you - this is where you will do your best learning. 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

236 – Working with Eating Disorders in Therapy Sep 17, 2022

Show notes

Conditions of Worth - Making a Counselling Business Plan Part 2 In Episode 236 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly are back with this week's three topics: Starting with 'Theory in Practice' we'll look at conditions of worth. Then in 'Practice Partner' we continue last week's discussion on business planning. And lastly in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Kel O'Neill about working with eating disorders in therapy. Conditions of Worth [starts at 03:04 mins] Linking to last week's topic of introjected values, this week we look at conditions of worth - how they come to be, and things you as a therapist can do to help your client. The main points of this discussion are: Conditions of worth are most often given to us by our primary caregivers, and can be reinforced by partners, friends or society. As well as someone being told they are not worthy, conditions of worth may present themselves differently, e.g. a child who has been told they are 'clever' or 'academic' may feel a sense of failure if they are suddenly faced with something they struggle with. They have been conditioned to believe that in order to be worthy, they must conform to these standards of 'clever' and 'academic'. We live in a world that reinforces the importance of worth e.g. being evaluated on the job you have or the clothes you wear. As a counsellor you will help the client to find out who there are, not who they've been told they are. This might be done through respectful reparenting, or challenging the views they hold of themselves. We ultimately know who we are, and clients must learn to live as their own view of themselves rather than others. A crucial factor of this will be unconditional positive regard from the counsellor. Making a Counselling Business Plan Part 2 [starts at 25:40 mins] In this section, Rory and Ken return for business planning 02 - a continuation of last week's segment. The key points of this discussion include: Think about who your clients will be: have you trained to work with couples or children and young people? Are you a supervisor who will take on supervisees? If you have done further training in a specialised area, will you use this? Consider where your practice will be and the type of clients you'll be able to work with - will this affect how much you charge? For example if you set up in a wealthy area, people may be happy to pay more for your services. Think about your working hours when setting prices - how much time does it take you to travel to and from sessions? Will you be able to place sessions back to back instead of spread over the week in order to cut down travel? Consider these things from a position of safety - if you make the decision during the planning process, you place yourself in the best position possible. Will you set up a cancellation policy? Where will you get your clients from? Are you relying of referrals? Doing this planning takes away surprises. Try talking to someone already in private practice. Working with Eating Disorders in Therapy [starts at 40:00 mins] In this week's 'Practice Matters' Rory speaks with Kel O'Neill on why eating disorders should be more widely considered a specialist field. In this discussion on working with eating disorders in therapy, the main points include: The risk is high when working with eating disorders. Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of all mental health conditions - as does eating disorders as an umbrella group. This is split between both the medical risk and the risk of suicide. It is essential that there is a depth of knowledge on eating disorders when working with them in therapy. If you are in doubt of your own knowledge on how to work with eating disorders in therapy, it would be sensible to have specialist supervision or secondary/support supervision with a specialist. Get as much of this external and professional view of your practice you can. The amount of people struggling with or presenting signs of eating disorders is growing, with the longest seen waiting lists yet. Counsellors are going to be seeing more and more clients with eating disorders, and it's important that there is the knowledge to deal with these clients. 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

235 – Making a Counselling Business Plan Sep 10, 2022

Show notes

Introjected Values - Carl Jung's Theories on Ego and Self In Episode 235 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly are back with this week's three topics: Firstly in 'Theory in Practice', we look at introjected values. Then in 'Practice Partner', Rory and Ken discuss making a counselling business plan. And lastly in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Dr. Jessica Bockler about Carl Gustav Jung's theories on ego and self. Introjected Values [starts at 02:40 mins] We start today with Rory and Ken discussing introjected values, and how these may present themselves in the therapy room. The key points of this discussion include: Introjected values are views we adopt from our caregivers and society. Some people struggle when they find themselves having a view through their own experience that opposes these values. Introjected views are unseen to the person who holds the value - to them, it is a 'truth'. In therapy, you have to treat disarming these 'truths' carefully. A sign of introjected values may be that the client recognises that their beliefs are different from the values they know. When people 'find themselves' this is an example of recognising and stepping away from these introjected values in order to find your own. It is important to remember that these introjected values don't exist solely within the client, they exist within us too. Making a Counselling Business Plan [starts at 21:01 mins] A business plan is one piece of the puzzle. See our complete guide to setting up in private practice for the rest. In a discussion that will be continued in next week's podcast, Rory and Ken list a few things that you might want to think about when making a business plan for your counselling service. The main aspects of this discussion include: A business plan is a layout of what your business will look like - complete with your motivations for starting your own private practice. Consider things like whereyour sessions will take place - will they take place in your home? Online? Will you rent a space or go to the clients' house? What considerations are necessary due to this choice? Think about the cost of set up and what you might need e.g. comfy seating, stable internet, a work email, lockable filing cabinet, a clock, tissues, you may even consider a card reader. Consider accessibility to clients who may use a wheelchair or have other mobility issues. Part of making a counselling business plan is thinking about how you will advertise your business. Take into account costs to yourself (such as possible travel costs) when deciding how much you'll charge. When making a counselling business plan, consider too whether you'll set up as a sole trader or a limited company - research the differences and decide which is a better fit for you. Carl Jung's Theories on Ego and Self [starts at 40:47 mins] In this week's 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Dr. Jessica Bockler about the theories of Carl Gustav Jung including the collective unconscious and archetypes. The key points of this discussion include: The collective unconscious is something primal and that we are unaware of. We embody archetypes that can be seen throughout history in art and literature - things like heroes, sages, rebels etc. When working with archetypes you will encounter what is called the shadow - this is a place where all the traits we've been told are bad about ourselves are kept e.g. maybe a young boy has been consistently told that boys don't cry, and this will create an adult man who holds back from showing such emotion. We are able to see qualities in other people that we don't like within ourselves (projection) - it takes looking within and taking ownership over these traits to fully explore this. Carl Gustav Jung also looked at dreams vs active imagination. He decided that dreams where the conscious mind is not in charge is good for free flowing engagement with deeper materials, but it is active imagination that is a more powerful route to engage with unconscious contents - you have more control to frame and challenge the ego. By beginning to write down your dreams your recall will improve, and you may begin to spot themes. 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

234 – Using Humour in Therapy Sep 03, 2022

Show notes

How to Use the Core Conditions in Counselling - Business Mindset for Counsellors Back with a new season of the Counselling Tutor Podcast after the academic break, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly are thrilled to be back with today's three topics - two of which are brand new: We start with 'Theory in Practice', looking closer at how theories you learn apply within sessions. This week we focus on how to use the core conditions. Then in 'Practice Partner', Rory and Ken will discuss aspects of setting up your own private practice, focusing this week on having a business mindset. And lastly 'Practice Matters' returns, where this week Rory speaks with Christine Shore about using humour in therapy. How to Use the Core Conditions in Counselling [starts at 04:38 mins] The core conditions: empathy, congruence and unconditional positive regard (UPR) are considered essentials of counselling, but reading and writing about them in essays, is different from using them in practice. The key points of this section include: Congruence - being real and genuine within sessions will make a client feel more comfortable, and thus more likely to open up. It is important to understand that it's okay for you to be you. Empathy - putting your own stuff aside and listening to a clients frame of reference. The more you know about yourself, the easier empathy will come. UPR - you will meet people with different values and views from your own; it is necessary for you to pause your own value system and hear the clients'. Realising that everybody, even those with views different from your own, deserve to be free of pain. These are all areas of personal development that have to be worked on, nobody can do them straight away. Practicing these skills outside of sessions, during your everyday life, can be very difficult. They are difficult to maintain, but as with most things, it will get easier with time. Business Mindset for Counsellors [starts at 20:38 mins] Running a business isn't something necessarily taught during core training, but through the 'Practice Partner' section, Rory and Ken will share some of their thoughts and tips when it comes to setting up and running a private practice. The main points of this section are: Putting a monetary value on your skills can be very challenging; especially considering counselling is very much a helping profession. It can feel like you are exploiting people by charging for your services, but there will always be people who choose to pay, there is no exploitation in the exchange. It's important to value yourself - you have worked hard for your training (and paid for it.) Everyone who chooses to pay for private practice, is making the waiting list shorter for those who can't afford it. You may need to look at, and confront, your relationship with money - if you often say you're bad or irresponsible with money, why is that? Who first introduced this idea to you? This is something you can take to supervision. Paying household bills such as gas and electricity - is you running your home business. You're already most of the way there in terms of having that mindset, and being capable of running your practice. Using Humour in Therapy [starts at 39:28 mins] In this week's 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Christine Shore about using humour in counselling. The key points of this discussion include: Sometimes clients are able to come to a point of realisation that allows for relief and joy - and with relief and joy, sometimes comes humour. Seeing an enthusiasm for life come through within a client - why be serious or stoic about that? You're sitting with another human being, taking yourself too seriously can hinder more than it'll help. Having a small laugh with a client can improve the therapeutic relationship - it shows the client that you're a human too. When using humour in therapy, remember that humour should arise naturally - always work with what the client brings and presents. 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

233 – Focusing in Counselling Jul 02, 2022

Show notes

Phenomenology - New Beginnings In Episode 233 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast - the last of the season - your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly take us through today's three topics: In 'Counselling Foundations', we look at phenomenology - the philosophy of perception. Then in 'Focus on Self', we think about new beginnings. And lastly in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Sally-Anne Armitage about using the skill of focusing in counselling. Phenomenology [starts at 02:03 mins] Listen as Rory and Ken discuss the tongue twister of the day - phenomenology. The key points of this discussion include: It is the philosophy of experience and perception. How we interpret the world, our place in the world, and what is happening around us - this will be completely individual to ourselves. To enter the clients frame of reference is to understand their phenomenological view. How you engage with the world will be different from others. Should counsellors offer a gentle challenge to alter a client's worldview or opinion on something? The phenomenological way we view things can change. New Beginnings [starts at 19:56 mins] Plenty of focus is given to endings within our lives, but focusing on new beginnings is just as important. In this section Rory and Ken discuss some of the main things you can consider when it comes to your new beginnings: Maybe try and place more emphasis on beginnings than endings - think about where you're going, not necessarily where you've been. Thinking, 'what's next?' With every ending there is a beginning - try not to dwell of the endings. New beginnings can come in different forms with different feelings - excitement, nervousness. Embrace the new beginnings. Using the Skill of Focusing in Counselling [starts at 30:38 mins] In this week's 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with good friend Sally-Anne Armitage about using the skill of focusing in your counselling practice. The main points of this discussion include: You might begin by asking the client where they want to start, or if there's something in particular they would like to prioritise speaking about. Using the skill of focusing in counselling also means picking up on incongruence - very carefully watching clients' actions, tones, and emphasis. Taking the clients closer to their own frame of reference. Saying what you observe, inviting the client to be themselves. Some things to be thoughtful of: Not using your own frame of reference - almost everything should be coming from the client, not you. Our intervention should go back into the client - not leading to new. Lead the client 'in' not 'out'. Transference and your own experiences may make it difficult to use focusing and stay in the client's frame of reference. Don't try to solve or analyse - listen. 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

232 – Managing Vicarious Trauma Jun 25, 2022

Show notes

The REBT Model of Counselling - What to Do When a Client Asks You a Question In Episode 232 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly are back with this week's three topics: In 'Counselling Foundations' we look at Albert Ellis' REBT model. Then in 'Focus on Self' we think about what to do when a client asks us a question. And finally in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Erene Hadjiioannou on the impact and ways of managing vicarious trauma. Albert Ellis' REBT Model [starts at 02:13 mins] In this section, Rory and Ken discuss Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy (REBT). The key points of this section include: REBT is all about challenging irrational belief. How we think effects how we feel, how we feel effects how behave, then how we behave effects how we live our lives. If you can change your thoughts, you can change the consequences. It's not what happens that effects our emotions, it's how we react. ABCDE model - Action, Belief, Consequence, Dispute, Effect. Puts thinking at the top of the chain - rational over irrational. Have a think about the difference between thinking and feeling. What to Do When a Client Asks You a Question [starts at 24:33 mins] Knowing what to do when a client asks you a question can be difficult, and in this section, Rory and Ken discuss how they might navigate this. The main points of this section are as follows: Putting the question back to the client is an option, but this isn't always appropriate. Be careful and think whether the client is looking to you to solve their problem for them. Alternatively, your client may simply be looking for more information - in this case, your answer is likely to benefit them. Whether or not you choose to answer personal questions is dependent on your own boundaries and self-disclosure - consider whether answering these questions will help or hinder the therapeutic relationship. Managing Vicarious Trauma [starts at 40:25 mins] In this week's 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Erene Hadjiioannou about the impacts of vicarious trauma and ways of managing it. The key points of this discussion include: 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

231 – Working with Couples in Therapy Jun 18, 2022

Show notes

Six Necessary and Sufficient Conditions for Therapeutic Change - Appropriate Self-Disclosure in Counselling In Episode 231 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, join hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly as they take us through this week's three topics: In 'Counselling Foundations', we look at the 6 necessary and sufficient conditions for therapeutic change. Next in 'Focus on Self', what can we class as appropriate self-disclosure? And finally in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Dr. Mary Goss on working with couples in therapy. The Six Necessary and Sufficient Conditions for Therapeutic Change [starts at 01:41 mins] Where you may know only 3 core conditions, in this section, Rory and Ken will discuss the importance of the other 3 'hidden conditions': The 6 core conditions: Psychological contact between the client and the therapist. The client being in a state of incongruence. The therapist is congruent in the relationship. The therapist shows unconditional positive regard for the client. The client receives empathy from the therapist. The client perceives and accepts this empathy and unconditional positive regard. These conditions are all necessary to form a successful therapeutic relationship. The three core conditions (3, 4, and 5) will not work to their full potential without their counterparts (1, 2 and 6). Appropriate Self-Disclosure in Counselling [starts at 17:34 mins] In this week's 'Focus on Self', Rory and Ken discuss what could be considered appropriate self-disclosure and what would be considered inappropriate. The key points of this discussion include: Self-disclosure is an important factor of the therapeutic relationship. Clients want a human being in the room with them. Self-disclosure is only appropriate when it is useful - having a positive impact on the client. Some examples of appropriate self-disclosure could be: To normalise something a client is feeling. To help them separate liking something/someone, and loving something/someone. This all depends on what modality you're working in. Keep a sharp focus on what will help the client. Remember that you are just two human beings in a room, with one in service of the other. Working with Couples in Therapy [starts at 36:44 mins] This week Rory speaks with Dr. Mary Goss on working with couples in therapy. The main points of this discussion are as follows: Couples therapy isn't just two individuals in the same room - it's very different from regular therapy. When working with couples in therapy, your role is not only as a counsellor, but also as a facilitator, a witness, and an educator. Someone who tries couples counselling without proper training will experience unconscious incompetence - they will be making many mistakes without realising. It is more active on the side of the therapist than normal - there is more for them to do during the session. There needs to be a structure in place and you will need to be able to interrupt. The first few sessions will mainly be about assessment. The only circumstances for individual counselling would be unsafe behavior and control. When working with diversity (e.g. couples of the LGBTQ+ community) there isn't much difference in terms of technique, but there must be knowledge. Don't assume that the problem is due to the diversity. 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

230 – Metacognitive Therapy Jun 11, 2022

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Existential Therapy - Adapting Your Therapeutic Model In Episode 230 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly take us through this week's three topics: First, in 'Counselling Foundations', we look at existential therapy. Then in 'Focus on Self', Rory and Ken discuss adapting your therapeutic model. And lastly in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Dr Pia Callesen about metacognitive therapy. Existential Therapy [starts at 01:45 mins] In this section on existential therapy, Rory and Ken briefly discuss the philosophy behind existential thoughts and some things you can give clients to think about in order to help them deal with these thoughts: Struggling to find meaning between life and death. A fear of existence. Help the client to identify the meaning of their lives through things such as goals. Having an end point gives everything that happens before it meaning. Nothing is fixed - the only thing constant is change. Therapists set the ground for asking questions like 'why not?' - just giving things a go. Adapting Your Therapeutic Model [starts at 16:33 mins] Once you're a qualified counsellor, there may be times when a client needs something outside of your usual modality. Rory and Ken discuss some of the things to think about when adapting your therapeutic model: It's important to meet the client where they are and adapting your practice to it. However, it's important to not work outside of your competence. CPD - you can integrate elements from your CPD into your practice. Is person-centred therapy a model, or simply a way of approach? Speak to your supervision if there's anything you're unsure about. Metacognitive Therapy [starts at 30:49 mins] In the final section of this week's episode, Rory speaks with Dr Pia Callesen on metacognitive therapy. The main points of this discussion include: When looking at the main causes of psychological illnesses, Prof. Adrian Wells found that the time spent on your thoughts was an incredibly influential factor, and thus created the metacognitive theory. Metacognitive theory is all about the self-regulation of your thoughts. Don't ruminate on your thoughts - this doesn't mean having an empty head, it just means leaving your thoughts alone. Restoring clients' metacognitive belief - they do have the control to leave their thoughts alone. Changing the belief that worrying and ruminating over thoughts for a long period of time will help to solve the problem. Metacognitive therapy happens over 5-12 sessions - a short term, research-based treatment. The client is still having thoughts and emotions, they're simply not engaging with them. 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 Metacognitive Therapy Institute Cektos Center for Metacognitive Therapy

Special Edition: Counselling Children and Young People Jun 04, 2022

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Special Edition: Counselling Children and Young People In this Special Edition Podcast, Rory Lees-Oakes speaks to Kate Day about the importance of training in adolescent therapy. The NCS Children and Young People's Therapist (CYPT) Accredited Register [starts at 01:26 mins] Firstly, Kate goes through the benefits of a new addition to NCS, the CYPT Accredited Register: Helping NCS members to really highlight their skills - particularly in counselling children and young people. Help the public when looking for a therapist that fits what they're looking for. Ensures that counsellors on this list have met the key competences required. Next, some specific questions answered by Kate about her practice and the importance of counselling for children and young people: What inspired you to work with children and young people? [starts at 07:04 mins] Children bring out the hopeful side of you. Humbled by their struggle and their joy to make sense of the world and themselves. Your childhood lasts a lifetime. It's important to receive early support to reduce shame or lifelong self-blame. It's amazing to see the resilience of children and young people. What is lobbying, and what is its importance? [starts at 12:06 mins] A campaign of sorts. Gets you into parliament where you can get your message across. Having an impact. Raising an awareness of something that would otherwise remain unknown to many. What has been the impact of COVID on children and young people's mental health? [starts at 18:37 mins] COVID has intensified the risk factors of mental illness. A rise in self-harm rates in younger ages. Delayed mental health support due to COVID. A rise in insecurity and health fears - children and young people are witnessing people suffer. What are the key competencies of working with children and younger people in therapy, and what do practitioners need to be aware of? [starts at 24:44 mins] You can't carry the wounds of your own past into the therapeutic relationship. Young people are so susceptible to your guidance. For some young people, silence can be excruciating - silence is more effective as an adult model. You'll find that you have to use your own personality more often. Support them with your understanding - they may not have the words themselves or know how to feel/how to express it. Be yourself - patient, calm, playful. It's the therapeutic relationship that heals, and it is the relationship that matters. Links and Resources NCS Children and Young People's Therapist (CYPT) Accredited Register 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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