bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
What is all this CPD About? Continuing Professional Development and Counselling Psychology
Authors: James Ian 
Published: January 2023

In this article on Continuing Professional Development (CPD), 1 hope to provide a more complete view of the issue for counselling psychologists: from what it entails to where it is going. We have just attained Divisional status, generating a specialized group of Chartered Psychologists. Now, more than before, there is an onus on the Division to encourage and support members on CPD.Below I hope to build a greater awareness of CPD: what it means to you the member and what is expected from you. I hope this will generate discussion and lead to you bringing your views to my attention.
Standards for Training and Practice in Primary Care Counselling
Authors: Watts Mary , Bor Robert 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThis paper looks at issues relating to standards for training and practice in primary care counselling, drawing attention also to the wider issues of continuing professional development, limitations of competence and the development and use of referral systems. Skills and competencies central to the development and practice of primary care counsellors are identified, and it is suggested that professional identity and recognition for primary care counsellors is important to ensure that basic minimum standards of service are met; training occurs at initial and continuing professional development level and employment conditions of practitioners are attended to.
Bullying Within Organizations
Authors: Rennie-Peyton Pauline 
Published: January 2023

It is by no means certain that the number of incidents of bullying within organizations is rising. However, we can be sure that there has been a marked increase in the level of awareness about it throughout organizations. This change could be attributable both to the popularity of Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) and to the increase in publicity given to the rights of employees.For the past two years I have worked as a counsellor for some of the major EAP providers in the City, and have heard of instances of bullying at first hand and, therefore, have drawn many conclusions based on experience rather than statistically based evidence.Certain organizations are guilty of creating a bullying culture, where more and more is expected of individuals for less and less. There are many examples of employees being treated badly and unfairly during company reorganization - some being made redundant, others being redeployed to lower-status positions (with corresponding pay cuts). Sometimes, employers will create a job specification which, because it makes unrealistic demands on an individual, will eventually lead to failure and a resultant dismissal or resignation. Another way of placing undue pressure on an individual is by “freezing them out” by giving them too little to do or by giving them menial tasks which could lead them to consider resignation. For example, a woman employee had all of her work taken away from her without explanation and the whole team was instructed not to speak to her.
Developing a policy on drugs and alcohol for a psychotherapeutic service
Authors: Hammersley Diane 
Published: January 2023

This paper raises some of the issues that need to be considered in developing a policy rather than offering a template for one, since each service is unique in its combination of resources of personnel, range of psychotherapies available and setting. Psychotropic drugs whether prescribed, illegal, self-medication, social drugs or alcohol all affect the individual cognitively and emotionally in ways which might impinge on psychotherapy in helpful or unhelpful ways. Psychotherapy may also affect a person’s use of drugs, assisting reduction or withdrawal, but if ignored may precipitate an increase in drug or alcohol use.The implications of a policy are explored in terms of the service’s referral policy whether open or closed, how it might affect assessment and contracting with the client, in the light of the fact that such a service must operate within an ethical framework. The psychodynamic issues which occur within a three-way relationship of doctor, patient and therapist are brought into awareness, so that they may be acknowledged. The rationale for the policy includes allowing for the effects of drugs in research, evaluation and audit of the service at an organisational level, as well as the importance of not ignoring an issue that might undermine the therapy. Communicating the policy encourages realistic expectations, greater trust in the partnership between psychotherapists and doctors and may lead to better clinical outcomes.
Does workplace counselling have an organisational function?
Authors: Hill Catherine 
Published: January 2023

The moral, legal and economic implications of stress in the workplace are of increasing concern to employers, employees and government policy makers alike (see Our Healthier Nation Green Paper). Employee Assistance Programmes and Workplace Counselling Services of various types are becoming an increasingly common feature of working life, and one that psychologists, in particular counselling and occupational psychologists, have been involved in evaluating, recommending, criticising and implementing. There is plenty of evidence showing that workplace counselling is effective in reducing the symptoms of stress in individual clients, Far less research has been reported that studies the nature of the workplace counselling process, and in particular its relationship with its host organisation.Workplace counselling, as an intervention aimed at tackling the problem of ‘stress’ has been imported from the medical world into the organisational environment.In this paper the author provides illustrations of the relationship between individual change in the context of workplace counselling, and change and development within the organisational context. Some possible directions for the development of theory in this area are explored.The paper comprises of three case examples. The case material is descriptive of process and is presented in the absence of theory. A theoretical discussion follows each example.
Putting the scientist practitioner metaphor to the test: A trainee therapist’s leap of good faith in the treatment of PTSD
Authors: MacKay Helen , Cross Malcolm 
Published: January 2023

This client study presents the work of a trainee therapist with a client experiencing PTSD. Rather than a focus on outcome, this case seeks to highlight the real-life challenges imbued in applying theory to practice for both the trainee and the client. This case has encouraged the authors to conclude that in addition to a knowledge of the literature, and practitioner skill, courage, and good faith are also fundamental to the application of the scientist practitioner metaphor.We have chosen to present this case to illustrate how empirical research and reports of practice-based methods with proven effective results may be used to address a discrete psychological problem. Despite incorporating this approach within the context of the therapeutic relationship, it is a focus on an established treatment procedure that is outside the primary therapist’s usual orientation that produced results for the client in the current case. This case touches on therapist anxiety and issues of good faith in the literature (reported efficacy) in the face of significant client distress, arising as a consequence of the treatment protocol. Although this case study was conceptualised and written collaboratively, it is expressed from the perspective of the first author.
Ethical issues encountered in qualitative research: Reflections on interviewing adolescent in-patients engaging in self-injurious behaviours
Authors: Bowen Arabella C.L. , John Alexandra M.H. 
Published: January 2023

Qualitative research is a fast developing and innovative field of enquiry. The most commonly used method of collecting qualitative data is the research interview. Interviewing participants for psychological research can be difficult at the best of times, let alone with a particularly challenging and vulnerable client group. There are a number of ethical implications that must be considered in this situation. Guided by The British Psychological Society codes of conduct and ethical principles, researchers may not only have to fulfil their University or Institution’s expectations for undertaking ethical research, but also negotiate approval with one or more NHS ethical committees. The theoretical requirements however, are not always adequate preparation for the actual practical experience.This article addresses some of the practical and ethical problems that were encountered in a qualitative research study. It describes and reflects on some of the difficulties faced by a trainee counselling psychologist undertaking interview-based research with a particularly vulnerable client population: young people engaging in self-injurious and/or suicidal behaviours.
Trainee expectations in counselling psychology as compared to the reality of training experiences
Authors: Szymanska Kasia 
Published: January 2023

To be accepted on an accredited course in counselling psychology can engender a wide range of feelings from excitement, tenacity, optimism to apprehension and a feeling of dread. These feelings coupled with expectations of the course and personal achievement can contribute to disillusionment with the experience of training. Often, the expectations trainees have on starting their courses are unrealistic and they may serve to hinder the trainees’ personal and professional development.To address this issue, drawing on my experience as a trainer and on feedback from trainees and tutors, this paper will consider some of the more common views trainees have on commencing training in counselling psychology and how these match the realities of training. Also included will be a section on what trainees’ can do to prepare for training and to ensure their courses run smoothly.
Working with perfectionism:Towards identifying the needs of an emerging client group
Authors: Corrie Sarah 
Published: January 2023

In recent years, the relationship between perfectionism and emotional distress has become increasingly well-documented. Both the therapeutic and research literatures have implicated perfectionism in a wide range of mental health problems and have also identified that it can represent a significant problem in its own right. This suggests that working with perfectionism may require specifically tailored approaches to conceptualisation and intervention.The developments in the literature raise a number of questions for counselling psychologists. For example, given the emphasis on construing problems as normative human experiences rather than as evidence of psychopathology (Woolfe, 1996), how should counselling psycho-logists attempt to understand the nature of perfectionism? When should it become a direct focus of therapeutic intervention? What issues does perfectionism raise for therapeutic practice and what represents an effective outcome?The aim of this paper is to explore ways in which we might usefully understand and respond to perfectionism, as it presents in our therapeutic work with clients. In particular, through reviewing recent developments in the literature, the paper identifies some key questions which can provide a heuristic framework for thinking about the needs of what may be an emerging client group.
Ideal and Actual Referral Choices for Mental Health Problems in Primary Care
Authors: Dolley Tania , Adams Bryan , Hampton James 
Published: January 2023

With the increasing role of primary care in managing mental health problems there are now a number of different professionals who may deliver this service. GPs in one county were surveyed to find out which professionals they currently refer patients to with particular psychological problems, and which they would perceive to be the ideal referral choice if available. Results identified GPs’ perceptions of ideal professionals to treat each problem, their degree of consensus on this and discrepancies between ideal and actual referral choices.Overall, at least half the GPs could refer to their perceived ideal practitioner. There was greater discrepancy between actual and ideal referral choices for several problems, where 30 per cent to 50 per cent of patients were not currently being referred to the ideal choice. This may indicate shortfalls in service provision, for various practitioners, and raises questions about the effectiveness of treatment available to these patients. GPs often see patients themselves instead, or refer elsewhere, especially to CPNs who are readily available.Consensus was high for some problems, and for others was spread between four or five different practitioners. Questions arise about appropriateness of some referral choices and practitioner qualifications. The need for clearer information and referral guidelines is highlighted, and perhaps a reassessment of priorities in service provision.The case for referral guidelines has been made by ‘Treatment Choice in Psychological Therapies and Counselling – evidence-based clinical practice guideline’, Department of Health, February 2001. (www.doh.gov.uk/mentalhealth/treatmentguideline).This study reinforces this need for clear referral guidelines.
Beyond the looking glass: The qualitative research process as a development of self
Authors: Bartlett Sarah 
Published: January 2023

This paper offers a subjective account of the research process and considers the impact of undertaking a qualitative research study on the author. It demonstrates the reciprocal element of reflexive research, both acknowledging the values brought to the research and recognising that the examination of the process shaped the author’s experience, personally and as a psychologist.The place of reflexivity is also discussed and how this fits in to the model of counselling psychology. The values of feminist psychology and those of counselling psychology inform the argument. The centrality of a subjective voice and a reflexive examination of that voice are seen as essential in acknowledging the assumptions within a research study.
The experience of silence: A client case study
Authors: Harris Angela 
Published: January 2023

This case study was written as a personal way to bridge the gap between written accounts of person-centred therapy and my experience of working with one client. The literature that I have studied uses illustrations of dialogue between therapist and client to demonstrate empathic understanding and I am sometimes left with the impression that the therapist is constantly chattering. This could be one of the limitations of written media as opposed to video or audiotape. It occurred to me that the nature of case studies means that silence – particularly long silences – could be excluded. I think I would have to be very brave to submit a transcript where I, as therapist, said almost nothing for a 10 minutes section analysed in depth, even though the intervention was pivotal to the therapeutic process. This insight led me to read some of the literature on silence and I was very surprised to find so little written by person-centred practitioners. Reflective responses seem to be the dominant discourse within person-centred therapy publications. It is possible that this discourse is distorting person-centred therapy away from non-verbal interventions and silence. This made me think about whether I talk too much with my clients and has altered my practice. Using silence as the core topic helped me get an edge or perspective when writing the case study and this made it more interesting to write.The acts of reviewing the case and writing the case study helped me to revisit person-centred counselling. I think I had rather taken the core conditions for granted. Writing the case study was a good discipline to help me understand when I veered from them to pursue my own track rather than follow the client’s. It was such hard work to do and demanded a very high level of concentration and listening skills.I enjoyed thinking about the case, because I felt warm feelings towards my client, ‘Sam’. I judged my work to be successful and this helped me be less defensive about mistakes I had made. It was hard to sieve out the less important information to fit the word count requirements, such as why his wife was angry. However, this was a helpful process in itself because it forced me to distil all the thoughts and memories into a coherent form and to look at themes rather than data.
The therapeutic relationship in cognitive-behavioural therapy
Authors: Giovazolias Theodoros 
Published: January 2023

Cognitive-behavioural therapy derives from a tradition that has been known for emphasising techniques for which the therapeutic relationship was almost a neglected aspect and was considered to be a non-specific factor. However, it has become increasingly apparent within the field of cognitive-behavioural therapy, that focusing on just the technical aspects of the therapeutic process implied a self-imposed limitation of the heuristic value of the theoretical model (Schaap et al., 1993). It was thus recognised that behaviour can be influenced by interpersonal factors as well as techniques and gradually researchers as well as practitioners within this model have begun to ascribe greater significance to the therapeutic relationship in order to understand better the therapeutic process itself.This article will aim to address the issues mentioned above and provide an opportunity for a better understanding of the conceptualisation of the therapeutic relationship as well as its interplay with the implementation of the technical aspects, within the specific context of cognitive-behavioural therapy.
When ‘Perfect’ clients receive ‘Imperfect’ therapy: A cognitive approach to working with perfectionism
Authors: Corrie Sarah 
Published: January 2023

It was Somerset Maugham (1963) who said the problem with perfection is that it is apt to be dull. However, the cost to those who subscribe to the standards that perfection demands is considerably greater than dullness.Perfectionism has been associated with reduced emotional well-being and decreased quality of life. More specifically, it has been implicated in a wide range of mental health problems. In addition to depression and suicidality, anxiety and eating disorders (see Corrie, 2002, for a review), perfectionism has been identified as a central component of obsessive-compulsive and borderline personality disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 1994; Layden, Newman, Freeman & Morse, 1993). As Ferguson and Rodway (1994) suggest, the literature increasingly points to the fact that perfectionism is a problem in its own right rather than an epiphenomenon of other disorders. There is, however, a dearth of guidelines on how to work therapeutically with perfectionism.This paper has evolved out of my own attempts to support clients whose personal standards have contributed to high levels of distress. In a previous paper (Corrie, 2002), I outlined a series of questions that could act as useful prompts to aid therapeutic exploration in this area. In this paper, I develop these ideas further by outlining a cognitive therapy approach to working with perfectionism. By presenting this approach in the context of a case study, I aim to provide a framework for understanding and working with perfectionism that might prove helpful for practitioners supporting clients with similar difficulties.
Three years of counselling psychology in an Intensive Care Department
Authors: Hazzard Anthony , Henderson Beverley 
Published: January 2023

The discipline of counselling psychology is relatively young in comparison with the venerable traditions of medicine and nursing, but from the outset counselling psychologists have found themselves working in medical settings and in close co-operation with nurses and medical practitioners.The specialties of primary care, mental health and palliative care were early and obvious partners for counselling psychologists but it has taken far longer for more technical specialisms to perceive the benefits of a psychological presence.A close look at any medical setting or health care activity however is likely to reveal a wealth of psychological implications.
Psychoanalytic reflections on suffering, loss, and life that leads to death
Authors: Vella Maria 
Published: January 2023

An ongoing life challenge for human beings is to face suffering, various sorts of loss, and life itself, that ultimately leads to death. This paper is an attempt to reflect on these existential givens from a psychoanalytic perspective.I will begin this paper by sharing a personal experience about my observing myself getting older, both on an ontic and ontological level. I also reflect on how the people around me react painfully and squirm on coming face-to-face with this natural life process. This reaction in turn, leads me to investigate how psychoanalytic contributors, not least, the founder, Sigmund Freud, together with modern contributors like Adam Phillips and Matthew von Unwerth, perceive and interpret beauty, joy, and life in relation to loss and transience. Under Phillip’s influence I again ask two fundamental, recurring questions, namely: ‘Is there the right amount of suffering in the world?’ And, ‘Does life ask more of us than we can bear?’In this paper, I am focussing exclusively on how we tend to perceive beauty and joy as tarnished and destroyed by transience, loss and death. Moreover, I will focus on our difficulty to endure the constant tensions and conflicts that life bestows on us, especially with regard to the process of mourning. More specifically, I will draw on my experience as a counselling psychologist in training, my work with a particular client, and the affects this triggers in me. I conclude this essay by quoting Phillips’ contention about the uncanny paradox of suffering.
Assessed Unit 4: An academic paper which examines the meaning and implications of anti-discriminatory practice in counselling psychology
Authors: Biggs Stephen 
Published: January 2023

You should situate yourself in relation to the issues discussed and the paper should focus on one area of discrimination and be illustrated by specific examples.Corker (2003) describes counselling as a potentially oppressive process. Given the recent launch of the large scale voluntary sector-led Moving People Programme (MPP) which aims to reduce stigmatisation experienced by people with mental health difficulties (Mind,2007), as well as the fact that the cost of stigmatisation is estimated to be vast (Mason et al., 2001), it seems timely to consider how mental health professionals might be contributing to the process of discrimination. In an attempt to address the marginalisation of people with a diagnosis of personality disorder, the Department of Health issued two specific documents in 2003: ‘Personality disorder: No longer a diagnosis of exclusion’, and ‘The personality disorder capabilities framework – Breaking the cycle of rejection’. The former has meant increased numbers of people with personality disorder being seen within mental health services while the latter acknowledges that better understanding of personality disorder is required in order to interrupt the cycle of rejection often experienced by people with personality disorders due to negative attitudes and practices within agencies. My experience of working in the NHS is that the single most vilified population of service users are those with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). This paper aims to consider how and why discrimination towards people with a diagnosis of BPD is so endemic and argues for the importance of the central humanist orientation of counselling psychology in ameliorating stigmatisation in practice. The paper concludes with some research implications and suggestions for potential ways forward.