Tag Archives: BACP

Analyse me – The Counsellor

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BACP in Therapy Today has a section called Analyse me – the counsellor. This gives counsellors an opportunity to share more about their work and what drives them to be a counsellor. I thought I would share my questions…..

Why did you become a counsellor?

From an early age, I had a passionate desire to help people in Africa. This led me to studying a Masters and working as a Community Water Engineer. I worked for various agencies, such as Oxfam and Medicins Sans Fronteries as a humanitarian aid worker. This took me to amazing places in Continue reading →

Changes in Counselling Profession

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I have seen various developments and changes within counselling profession over the last 15 years. More courses are available, British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) membership has vastly increased and more counsellors are becoming private practitioners.  Counsellors and organisations have to market themselves and approach their counselling work with a business head. Online Continue reading →

Regulation of Counselling and Psychotherapy

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Counselling regulationShould counselling and Psychotherapy be regulated?

This question started for me when I was training to be a counsellor back in 2003. It was often debated amongst my peers as there were some who against regulation. I have always been in favour of regulation and was disappointed when it was decided by Health Professional Regulation not to regulate counselling. Instead a new Accredited Register (AR) scheme for health care professionals was launched by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) at the end of 2012.

Lately, a colleague Amanda Williamson who herself suffered abuse whilst being counselled (and successfully got the said person struck off the BACP register) and Philip Dore’s website Unsafe Spaces have re-opened the debate on counselling regulation. You can read Amanda’s stance for regulation here.

Where do I stand?

I believe that regulation Continue reading →

Counselling Journey

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Client’s Counselling Journey

counselling journeyThe majority of clients who approach me to enquire about my services have not engaged with a counsellor before. They are unsure about the counselling process and what counselling involves. I thought it would be useful to share Continue reading →

Counselling Supervision

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Counselling supervisionWhen my previous counselling supervisor retired, it took a long time for me to find a new one. I finally found a new counselling supervisor that I did connect with and one I was able to be myself. I’ve had a great couple of years with her so I was therefore disappointed to hear that she too is retiring. Unfortunately as I had a poor experience during my training during my counselling supervision leaving me being cautious with whom I choose.  However, as I look for a new one it does feel new opportunity to help me gain a different perspective on my work, as well as start a new relationship with a different colleague.

I am about to start a counselling Supervision course and with me looking for a new supervisor, I thought it would be a good opportunity to reflect on what is counselling supervision and what is it that I am looking for. Continue reading →

CPD online – Online Counselling Skills Course

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CPD onlineOver the last few years I had noticed that counselling was changing and online counselling (e-therapy, e-counselling) was becoming more popular. I was curious of online counselling and as a private practitioner I thought it would be good to offer this service in addition to my face to face work. I carried out research and saw transferring the use of counselling skills into an online media required additional skills and competencies to those utilised within face to face contact. I decided as part of my CPD (Continuing Professional Development) that I would carry out some CPD online and needed to attend an online counselling skills course. Continue reading →

Counselling in Sheffield

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counselling in sheffieldFinding the right counsellor for you.

We can find a lot of information about counselling and the service that counsellor’s offer in Sheffield and worldwide. Committing to counselling can be a difficult decision and often an intimidating one. It is often not easy to admit that are you feeling depressed, anxious or stressed. You want to find a counsellor that you trust and one that works to a high standard. But then you have a difficult dilemma of finding a counsellor. If you look at the Counselling directory you will see there are over 1200 counsellors with just over 100 counsellors in Sheffield alone. I am sure if you are considering counselling this can make you feel confused. What is counselling all about? Who and what counsellor do you choose? It’s a tricky choice and decision. Continue reading →

Professional and Ethical practice for the Counsellor – Using Social Media

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counselling trust Social media and Counsellors

Counsellors are recognised for providing a safe, confidential space to help individuals with any crisis they may face in their life. Emerging technologies are rapidly changing the face of counselling, especially with regard to the use of social media. Many amongst the counselling profession question whether social media can be used ethically, without ruining the therapeutic relationship between the client and counsellor. I believe there is a place for responsible social media use within counselling, but it is important to think about how we as counsellors, represent ourselves in the social media world. Continue reading →