bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Celebrating the wounded healer
Authors: Martin Peter 
Published: January 2023

AimFor many therapists woundedness is a hidden secret. This deceit is sometimes masked as ‘professionalism’. We need to unravel the mystique which we unawarely embrace, and examines the cost of this illusion. This paper unusually begins by discussing these issues which emanated from specific research. It is contended that we stand a better chance of making an authentic relationship with those we seek to help if we are prepared to celebrate our scarred, glorious, mis-shapenly successful, and often faulty selves for what we are.MethodThe heuristic research conducted by the author explores the lives of 17 self-selected therapists and how their own life crises affected their work with clients. The stance is phenomenological qualitative method which is an adaptation of Moustakas’s (1990) protocol. The method used develops Moustakas’s methodology, here privileging a co-constructed account of each co-researcher’s (participant’s) story.FindingsThe outcomes of this research were predictably idiosyncratic and this accords with the postmodernist stance of the researcher. There were commonalities too: many co-researchers found it was better to celebrate our shared but faulty humanity, while protecting our clients from the worst of our failings. Co-researchers indicated that the power and the peril of being more nakedly human is worth it.Implications for practiceThe research appears to make a case for the theory that life is the best teacher, if only we are prepared to learn. It challenges the reader to find within themselves something akin to the wisdom which can come only from the examined life.
Mental health and ‘The Big Society’: Where do counselling psychologists and therapists fit in?
Authors: Edge Dawn , West William 
Published: January 2023

Content and FocusIn this paper, we use ‘depression’ as a vehicle for suggesting that current approaches to diagnosing and managing ‘common mental health disorders’ are increasingly untenable in a time of cuts to health care expenditure and changing perspectives on mental health and well-being. We suggest that a collective, community-based response to the human need and suffering encapsulated by such an apparently common condition is possible. However, this would require the individual psychologist or therapist to be much more embedded in the communities they serve.ConclusionsWe recognise that such an approach has practical and political challenges and is not a cheap option but nonetheless have potential to improve outcomes for clients and communities.
Using narratives on an acute psychiatric ward
Authors: Allie Samina , Whittall Suzanne 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundMental health professionals are looking at more ways in which clients’ voices can be heard throughout their treatment. One of the ideas being suggested is through narratives. Narratives are a way people can derive meaning from events by retelling their story putting their experience in chronological order. The 2002 NICE Guidelines also suggest encouraging clients to write their own accounts of their admission to hospital. This service evaluation discusses the idea of using narratives in inpatient care and evaluates how useful it has been for both staff and patients to be involved in the narrative process. Our main aims in introducing the ‘Narrative Project’ (the ‘Project’) were to determine if the process of creating a narrative impacted upon therapeutic relationships between staff and clients, whether narratives could improve client’s insight and if the process could improve Staff confidence in their skills.MethodQuestionnaires were used to determine if the aims of our ‘Narrative Project’ were being met. The findings of the questionnaires were analysed using content analysis to draw upon themes.FindingsDespite environmental/systemic challenges, the process of collecting narratives has highlighted the importance of a good therapeutic relationship between staff and clients.ConclusionIt is important to note that it is not the number of narratives collected which is important but the quality of the narratives and what both staff member and client gain from the process which is key.
Alliance ruptures: Etiology and resolution
Authors: Richards Christina 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundThe therapeutic alliance is vital as both the medium through which therapeutic change is effected and also as a means of providing a degree of change in and of itself. Various issues can affect that alliance, both with regards to the relationship between therapist and client and also with regards to the goal of the therapy. As counselling psychology is particularly concerned with the relational aspects of therapeutic change, as well as more technique-based interventions, it is incumbent upon practicing counselling psychologists to familiarise themselves with the causes, and resolutions of, alliance ruptures.Aims and scopeThis paper draws upon the established literature, and the author’s own experience of conducting counselling psychology and psychotherapy within a busy NHS clinic, to outline a limited number of causes of ruptures to the therapeutic alliance, as well as considering possible resolutions to those ruptures.ConclusionThe resolution of difficulties within the therapeutic alliance can be of therapeutic benefit and is necessary for therapy to be effective.
The philosophical challenges within counselling psychology: Can Egan’s Model help?
Authors: Shorrock Matt 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundLiterature suggests that there are now over 450 models of therapy. As scientist-practitioners, counselling psychologists are often faced with significant philosophical challenges as they attempt to integrate conflicting theories and evidence-based approaches.Content and focusIn this paper I examine some of the key philosophical bases of counselling psychology and consider the relationship between the values of counselling psychologists and their commitments to psychological enquiry. This serves to provide context and reference points for a brief description and critique of Egan’s Skilled Helper Model, which is just one attempt to integrate the emergence of distinct philosophies, theories and approaches within counselling psychology. I pay specific critical regard to elements of the therapeutic relationship as understood by Egan, and discuss the relevance of his model to counselling psychologists today.ConclusionsI elucidate some of the current tensions existing for the profession of counselling psychology, and discuss implications for practice. I conclude that the Skilled Helper Model, used intelligently, can transcend incongruent philosophies, theories and approaches.
Perceptions of integration in counselling psychology training: A pilot study
Authors: Ward Tony , Hogan Kevin , Menns Rosemarie 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundMany professional training courses in counselling psychology are now presenting a number of therapeutic models, with the expectation that trainees will demonstrate a way of working with clients that incorporates features of each.AimsThis pilot study sets out to find out the perceptions of trainees around the process of learning a number of therapeutic approaches.MethodSix trainees were interviewed in-depth about their training, in relation to the therapeutic models presented and expectations of practice. Three course directors and three experienced counselling psychologists were also interviewed. The interviews were transcribed and subjected to thematic analysis.ResultsA key theme was that trainees often find developing an integrative stance quite a challenge. They tend to feel that courses could approach this aspect of their learning in a more explicit and systematic manner. On the other hand, conflicts in the training constellation between course, supervisor and practice context were seen as stressful, but very growth promoting.ConclusionsCounselling psychology trainees often experience the requirement to integrate a number of approaches to be quite challenging. Understanding and facilitating this process is worthy of further exploration. Finally it is suggested that trainees are often limited in the extent to which they articulate psychology as a foundation for their practice and identity as a counselling psychologist. It is suggested that there is scope for further development in this area. In particular, psychology can serve as a more explicit framework for integration, which potentially makes counselling psychologists unique within the therapeutic market place.
Virtual Data Generation: Qualitative research, computers and counselling psychology
Authors: Hanley Terry 
Published: January 2023

Content and FocusWhen designing a qualitative research project the researcher is automatically faced with numerous decisions about methodological choice. The selection of any method needs to be made with adequate foundation and sound ethical consideration. This paper hopes to illustrate some of the challenges that researchers face when transforming methods that are traditionally implemented ‘face-to-face’ or by ‘pen and paper’ into electronic formats. In doing so it aims to introduce the reader to some of the key debates that exist in this field and act as a resource for those interested in delving deeper into the subject matter. Four online methods are described (Questionnaires, Focus Groups, Interviews, and Journaling/Blogging) and examples from completed and ongoing research projects are presented. Following this, the practical and ethical challenges that are faced in justifying the use of online methods are discussed and the need to consider more than just the issue of convenience is raised.ConclusionsOnline qualitative research poses new opportunities and challenges for counselling psychologists. There is, however, a growing body of literature related to online methods which should be used to inform methodological and ethical decisions.
Clients’ experience of research within a research clinic setting
Authors: Stone Clare , Elliott Robert 
Published: January 2023

AimThis study explored the impact that the research process has on individual clients and their progress in therapy.MethodThis was a relatively small-scale qualitative study (N=17). The data consisted of an archive of semistructured interviews from a university-based psychotherapy research clinic that were analysed using a version of grounded theory analysis.FindingsSome clients described as helpful the use of questionnaires, particularly the Personal Questionnaire (PQ) and Helpful Aspects of Therapy (HAT) Form, and the Qualitative Change Interview. Research procedures reported by other clients included the use of recording equipment, questionnaires (particularly the HAT Form), and interviews. The meaning that the research process had for clients was also considered, and provided evidence for a ‘moral trade-off’ experienced by participants.DiscussionThere appears to a great diversity of client experiences of the research process, some positive and some negative. Questionnaires, recording equipment and interviews were the most commonly discussed aspects of the research process.ImplicationsThese findings give us some indication of the issues that should be considered when planning research in the counselling psychology field.
Pluralism as the forerunner of integration? A reflective account
Authors: Athanasiadou Catherine 
Published: January 2023

Content and FocusCentral to the ethos of counselling psychology is the application of multiple theoretical approaches to clinical and research practice whilst the integration of these components is a vital aspect of professional identity. With the current emphasis on pluralism (Cooper & McLeod, 2011) as a distinct philosophy underpinning counselling psychology, this paper discusses the relevance of pluralism to integrative practice by exploring the historical context of integration and by providing clinical examples of reflective practice.ConclusionThe paper concludes by suggesting that pluralistic therapy is a vital aspect of ethical practice and its principles may inform the construction of assimilative integration.
Editorial - The problematic nature of peer review: Considering Andy Warhol's shoe, academic cheats and the sh*t sandwich
Authors: Hanley Terry 
Published: January 2023

Content and FocusThis editorial follows on from a previous editorial which focused upon ‘Writing for Publication’ in 2011. The purpose is to focus down a little further and to describe and discuss the peer review process within the world of academic publishing. This system has become a hallmark of quality and holds a great deal of sway when deciding what research gets published or commissioned. It is, however, problematic in numerous ways and consumers of research need to be mindful of the limitations of such a system (i.e. it can be abused and misused). Some of these limitations are considered before suggesting three ways in which peer review can potentially be utilised in a more productive manner. In turn these are: 1. The provision of proactive guidance from the publication editors based upon the reviewers’ judgement; 2. The provision of clear guidance for peer reviewers regarding the expectations of papers published in the related journal; and 3. The consideration of utilising alternative peer review systems to the norm (e.g. open review or open published dialogues with reviews). Following on from this, the papers presented within this particular edition of Counselling Psychology Review are briefly introduced and a call for peer reviewers is made.
Research Paper Exploring experiences of adoption: Emerging implications for therapeutic practice
Authors: Jordan Clodagh , Dempsey Maria 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to qualitatively explore the experience of adoption from the perspective of adults who were adopted as infants. The focus of the study was to develop the ‘inside out’ view of adoption with the aim of informing therapeutic practice.Method14 adults who had been domestically adopted as infants participated in this study. Data was gathered through individual face-to-face semi-structured recorded interviews. Data was analysed using grounded theory methodology (GTM).FindingsThis work describes adoption as a psychosocial transition within which four themes emerged. ‘Stages in cognitive understanding of adoption’ demonstrates that adoption is not a point in time occurrence; rather it is a stage-like process that can entail negotiation on an on-going basis. ‘Negotiating identity formation’ relates to participants’ struggle with identify formation due to a lack of access to personal information and a lack of familial resemblance. ‘The impact of adoption on relational dynamics’ demonstrates the effect that adoption has on the adopted individual’s relational and family planning behaviour. The final theme ‘Adopted individuals support and coping processes’ relates to the support that participants accessed to help navigate their adoption journey, and the ways in which adoption support can be improved.ConclusionThe current study builds on previously reported effects of adoption by exploring when certain issues occur for the adopted individual, the perceived reason for why they occur, and the lived experience of the adopted individual who has experienced them.
Theoretical Paper Counselling psychology and people with learning disabilities: Some reflections
Authors: Jones Rachel Ann 
Published: January 2023

Content and FocusLiterature has repeatedly demonstrated that individuals with learning disabilities are at a significantly greater risk of developing mental health problems and are more likely to experience adverse life events. Historically, treatment has been dominated by psychopharmacology and applied behavioural models; however, an evidence base has grown, which advocates the use of psychological therapy with these individuals. Individuals with learning disabilities receive assistance from a variety of services and professionals throughout their lives, including multidisciplinary community teams, day services and residential or supported living projects. The community teams, are often multidisciplinary, professionals involved may include community nurses, psychologists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, psychiatrists, and social workers. The array of professionals involved in the lives of individuals with learning disabilities reflects their complex and diverse needs.ConclusionsVery little is known about counselling psychologists working with people with learning disabilities. This article wishes to offer some reflections regarding the current and potential role of counselling psychology within this specialist field.
Theoretical Paper Cognitive behavioural symptom-oriented understanding of psychosis: Abandoning the disease paradigm of schizophrenia
Authors: Mankiewucz Pawel D 
Published: January 2023

Content and FocusThis paper discusses the development of cognitive behavioural approach to psychosis as a psychological alternative to the medical construct of schizophrenia. The article wishes to draw out the link between therapeutic advances in working with psychosis and the development of cognitive conceptualisation of such experience. The present place of cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis (CBTp) within the practice of NHS-employed psychologists is portrayed and recent criticisms of the model are considered. Novel developments are also proposed.ConclusionThe paper concludes that despite some promising innovations in psychological therapies for psychosis, the disease paradigm appears to continue dominating in mental health practice.
Theoretical Paper Both 'being with' and 'doing to': Borderline personality disorder and the integration of humanistic values in contemporary therapy practice
Authors: Steffen Edith 
Published: January 2023

Content and FocusTaking one of the key dimensions of counselling psychology as a focal point, namely its ‘humanistic value base’, this article explores how humanistic values can be integrated into therapeutic work with clients diagnosed with borderline personality disorder in contemporary health care settings. It starts by outlining borderline personality disorder as a diagnostic category, highlighting some of the associated controversies discussed in the literature, followed by a consideration of clients’ perspectives as presented by qualitative research. It then considers key humanistic values relevant to the philosophical basis of counselling psychology and discusses some of the dilemmas that may arise when applying these values to practice. Finally, it examines potential overlaps and conflicts between humanistic principles and one particular therapeutic approach for working with borderline presentations, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).ConclusionsWhile a humanistic perspective on borderline personality disorder accords with the philosophical basis of counselling psychology, adopting a purely humanistic stance could sometimes be counter-productive when working with this client group. However, when skilfully interwoven with more directive strategies as in dialectical behaviour therapy, humanistically-informed relational work may be a key ingredient in working effectively with this client group. While such integration may be problematic, the dilemma could be fruitfully approached from different perspectives.
Research Paper An enquiry into how counselling psychology in the UK is constructed as a profession within discipline-orientated publications
Authors: Hemsley Christine 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundThis paper examines how those within counselling psychology are constructing the profession within pertinent publications.MethodologyCritical discursive psychology was applied to texts within Counselling Psychology Review and Counselling Psychology Quarterly over the time period of 2007 to June 2009.FindingsThe four interpretive repertoires discerned were: ‘Opponent to the medical model,’ ‘Saviour of the people’, ‘Maturation’ and ‘Alliance to others’.ConclusionTogether these position the profession as viable contenders within the psychological arena and a voice against the political enhancement of the medical model which is constructed as context and value-free. Thus not only is the power of CBT and all it represents challenged but such a position moves towards ethical empowerment of the client. The analysis also tracked the development of socially constructed processes that position a group as having achieved the construction of a profession.
Theoretical Paper How to skin a cat: A case for and against the use of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in pluralistic therapy
Authors: Scott Adam J. 
Published: January 2023

Content and FocusThis paper seeks to answer the following question: ‘How can a pluralistic therapist use a single school approach and remain faithful to their philosophical and collaborative base?’ To do this it explores some of the difficulties associated with integrative/eclectic approaches to therapy. Within this it discusses pluralistic philosophy and suggests that the proverb ‘there is more than one way to skin a cat’ is a helpful way of summarising pluralistic philosophy. From there it discusses Cooper and McLeod’s (2011) Pluralistic Framework for counselling and psychotherapy as an integrative approach and focuses on two distinguishing elements of it; namely that it has its basis in pluralistic philosophy rather than psychological theory and that it is collaborative in nature. The discussion then turns towards mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and the theory and research evidence that underpins it with a view to considering how a single school approach may fit with a pluralist approach. The paper reflects upon two opposing answers to the dilemma that is inherent within the question referred to at the outset of this abstract, suggesting rationale both for and against the use of MBCT from a pluralistic position.ConclusionThe paper concludes by offering the concept of Pragmatic Pluralism as a way for pluralistic therapists to undergird their therapeutic decision making.
Theoretical Paper Using a pluralistic approach in counselling psychology and psychotherapy practice with diverse clients: Explorations into cultural and religious responsiveness within a Western paradigm
Authors: Wilk Katarzyna 
Published: January 2023

Content & Focus:As globalisation trends bring increased client diversity into Western nations, the meeting of culturally diverse clients and therapists has not always been particularly favourable or culturally responsive in Western contexts. This paper explores the pluralistic framework put forth by Cooper and McLeod (2011) from a critical evaluation of its effectiveness with culturally diverse clients. I first examine the role of pluralism in comparison to evidence-based therapies and the ongoing debate around treatment efficacy in Western institutions of mental health, while highlighting the shortcomings of biased participant sampling in empirically supported therapy research studies. I then explore the theoretical underpinnings of pluralism in relation to other integrative approaches and its’ strong ties to humanistic values in counselling psychology as well as the challenges to its multicultural theory. I finally explore how pluralism can potentially overcome these challenges by focusing on the core foundation of pluralistic practice and theory – the therapeutic relationship.Conclusion:The paper concludes by suggesting how pluralism can build on its strengths in order to meet the challenges of working with diverse client epistemologies which include therapists’ need to examine their own cultural biases, provision of intercultural training within pluralistic education programmes, and development of an empirical evidence base linking pluralistic practice with diverse client therapy outcomes.