tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25187314145269242392024-03-22T01:35:12.008+00:00Amanda Williamson Coaching and Counselling Service in Exeter, DevonProfessional Coaching and Counselling Service in Exeter, Devon and online with EMCC Accredited Senior Practitioner Coach, BACP Senior Accredited Counsellor. Amanda Williamson (She/her)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685203130859349559noreply@blogger.comBlogger112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518731414526924239.post-73182708068554407412024-01-09T10:00:00.006+00:002024-02-05T22:38:47.882+00:00Individual and couples counselling and coaching in Exeter<h2 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Serious about making changes in your life?</span></b></h2><p><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBughgPsl8QUQ0IoOmAj2avSb0IxZZs9-qX0t8klsiyO8aqyUwp1XfL4x92mqxQh-n7LBHpe11N6Q6Wq-9QtPo1xg8URYvodZ7twCnToh64p6uHjXvhMF9KDZ30LUKm0DfpqnBW836puj4/s1600/thumbnail.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1006" data-original-width="885" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBughgPsl8QUQ0IoOmAj2avSb0IxZZs9-qX0t8klsiyO8aqyUwp1XfL4x92mqxQh-n7LBHpe11N6Q6Wq-9QtPo1xg8URYvodZ7twCnToh64p6uHjXvhMF9KDZ30LUKm0DfpqnBW836puj4/s200/thumbnail.jpg" width="175" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">If you are looking for a therapy, relationship counselling or coaching you have taken a courageous first step. Life can be challenging for us all at times. I love the work I do; helping people to understand themselves and their relationships in order to live more fulfilling lives.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I work privately from beautiful premises on Southernhay, right</span><span style="font-size: large;"> in </span><span style="font-size: large;">the centre of Exeter, Devon, with a wide spectrum of people; individual adults and <a href="https://www.relationalbest.co.uk/p/relationship-coaching.html" target="_blank">couples</a>, with many differing presenting issues. Professional, approachable, open-minded and non-judgmental, I have the utmost respect for your individuality and life circumstances. </span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I have an interest in working with students. Please click here for more on my <a href="https://www.relationalbest.co.uk/p/therapeutic-coaching-for-students.html" target="_blank">therapeutic coaching service for students</a>.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I draw from <a href="http://www.amandawilliamsoncounselling.co.uk/p/about-counselling.html">several reputable theories of practice</a> enabling me to work effectively, progressively and collaboratively with individuals and couples.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Offering a fully professional service I </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">am fortunate enough to be able to work </span><span style="font-size: large;">full-time at my dedicated Exeter practice, seeing clients five days a week. I do <a href="http://www.amandawilliamsoncounselling.co.uk/2018/10/shortmediumlongterm-work.html" target="_blank">short, medium and long term therapeutic and supportive work</a>.</span><div><br /></div><div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>I am committed to facilitating the exploration of the issues you bring. If you are serious about committing the time and energy required I invite you to make contact to arrange an initial appointment.</b></span><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h2>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.amandawilliamsoncounselling.co.uk/p/contactcost.html">Click here for Contact and Cost Details</a></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This site is where you can find out information <a href="http://www.amandawilliamsoncounselling.co.uk/p/why-counselling.html">about counselling and coaching</a> and how it can help you, my <a href="http://www.amandawilliamsoncounselling.co.uk/p/about-counselling.html">personal approach</a> and services offered, and some details about <a href="http://www.amandawilliamsoncounselling.co.uk/p/my-background.html">my background</a>, by clicking on the information tabs above. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is also a blogsite which I use to make regular posts about my work and continuing professional development as a counsellor and coach. Click <a href="http://www.amandawilliamsoncounselling.co.uk/p/resources.html">here for my Articles</a>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Embarking on a course of therapy can be daunting and my aim on this site is to help you feel relaxed and confident that you make the choice that is right for you.</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Would coaching be a better fit?</span></h2><div><div><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">I also see clients for fortnightly/monthly/ad hoc sessions for supervision, mentoring and coaching, as well as providing a professional, confidential space to discuss all aspects of personal life and work. For more information please see my coaching site <a href="http://www.relationalbest.co.uk">Relational Best</a>.</span></div><div><br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Regulation </span></h4>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Please, whoever you decide to have counselling or coaching with, whether individual or agency, ensure that they are registered with an adequate professional body. The BACP is the largest professional body and have a robust complaints procedure which is why I choose to be registered with them. BACP Accredited status is an established, recognised and accepted assurance of experience and maturity as a practitioner.
Without membership of a self-regulating professional body th</span><span style="font-size: large;">en clients have no recourse should they feel that they are being treated unethically. At the moment, there is nothing to stop people practising as counsellors without this protection for their clients. Following the dreadful <a href="https://notsobigsociety.wordpress.com/2014/05/15/shocking-litany-of-abuse-by-exeter-counselling-cult-30-allegations-found-proved/" target="_blank">scandal involving the Exeter based Palace Gate Counselling Service</a> I researched and wrote about this topic</span><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://www.amandawilliamsoncounselling.co.uk/2014/11/regulation-client-and-therapist.html" target="_blank">on this post about the regulation of counselling and psychotherapy</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I spent several years campaiging for the regulation of counselling and psychotherapy along with Phil Dore via the website </span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://notsobigsociety.wordpress.com/about/">Unsafe Spaces</a>.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> I took a step back from this to focus on my practice (March 2018).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.bacp.co.uk/therapists/34539/amanda-williamson/exeter-ex1" target="_blank">Check my BACP Registration entry here<b> </b></a><b> </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; line-height: 15px;"><span class="date" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.amandawilliamsoncounselling.co.uk">Amanda Williamson Counselling Service in Exeter, Devon. BACP Registered and Senior Accredited LGBTQ friendly Counsellor.</a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; line-height: 15px;">Registered with WPA Health Insurance </span></span><br />
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<i>Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but in the case of therapists lifting content directly from other therapists' websites I reckon that this is not good for our clients and does not reflect well on either ourselves as practitioners with integrity nor the profession as a whole. We all take inspiration from other professionals but please at least change some of the words and sentences around. I am proud of the content of my website which has been carefully constructed over many years of practice and have been concerned to see some of my site lifted almost word for word on other therapist sites. </i><br />
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</div></div></div>Amanda Williamson (She/her)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685203130859349559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518731414526924239.post-35370716727189615912020-04-29T16:47:00.002+01:002024-01-09T22:22:23.996+00:00Some advice and resources to assist with mental wellbeing during the Coronavirus pandemic<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVxZUmjGZbjJF9_uxXtW0ov9XrqYQBuGufz3Hdg8GgmrK1lytHAOMZzxGpQ6q_8XxR_IIHhnC5py8yHCBSa48pMKIcQuW77MJfUqj4o7OySKJnb68EaUmCUZGOL-u7Q_O31Ig0SP6Ck9U/s1600/thumbnail.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1006" data-original-width="885" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVxZUmjGZbjJF9_uxXtW0ov9XrqYQBuGufz3Hdg8GgmrK1lytHAOMZzxGpQ6q_8XxR_IIHhnC5py8yHCBSa48pMKIcQuW77MJfUqj4o7OySKJnb68EaUmCUZGOL-u7Q_O31Ig0SP6Ck9U/s200/thumbnail.jpg" width="175" /></a>I am one of the people fortunate enough to have some extra time on my hands during the pandemic. I do not have school age children I need to educate at home whilst trying to work. My practice has reduced in size during the pandemic, especially as I can only offer video or telephone sessions during the government mandated lockdown. This has given me some time to process some of the ever-changing situation we are all facing in this unusual and unsettling time. As a therapist I find myself in the unusual situation of being impacted by a situation in similar ways <i>and at the same time</i> as our clients. I have utilised my spare time in what I believe to be the best way possible for me; I have spent time reflecting on the impact of this whole situation on not just me as an individual but also on all people in all the different manifestations of how the virus is disrupting our lives. I have spent time meditating, reflecting, and focusing on being rather than doing; something I have not tended to have the time to do prior to the lockdown.<br />
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A recent poll by King's College London and Ipsos Mori shows that<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52228169" target="_blank"> half of respondents are more depressed and anxious than usual and 15% are finding the restrictions very challenging</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">With that in mind</span> I thought it might be useful to share some things that I personally find helpful in terms of helping with mental wellbeing.<br />
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The News as an exacerbator of depression and anxiety</b><br />
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As with during more "normal" times, I advise everyone to avoid the news. The news is not there to make us better people or even to simply inform us. Many sources of "news" are there to also serve as clickbait and how better to do that then to dramatise and find ways to make us react on a purely emotional level? By design the News triggers our fears, uncertainties, anger and anxieties. I am not suggesting we live in a bubble of complete denial (well maybe a smidgen) but watching the news (a reputable source) once a day is all that is required. I would argue that every few days is probably enough but our curiosity and national obsession with the news generally makes that difficult. Ask yourself, when partaking of this compulsion; has it helped my wellbeing in any way to consume this "information"?<br />
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I digress. The purpose of this blogpost is to share some information regarding some free resources which I highly recommend clients/friends/everyone consider utilising to assist with mental wellbeing particularly during this unusual time:<br />
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1) Thrive</b><br />
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This is CBT therapy based, NHS endorsed App Thrive is currently free. I have been testing it over the last few weeks having been recommended by a therapist friend.<br />
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Why I think it is helpful</b><br />
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Even though it is a basic training in CBT concepts, sometimes we need to go back to basics. Even as an experienced therapist, I too sometimes value hearing things in a simplistic way. During this pandemic many of us are noticing that we can be triggered into a Child Ego State, as we feel more vulnerable and uncertain. This is normal. If we are feeling a little wobbly or anxious then some basic and reassuring words can be more powerful than we realise. The narrator on the App has a lovely, calming voice with a Scottish accent. She talks you through the basics of understanding how our thoughts, feelings and behaviours interact and not always in a helpful way. There are exercises to do and a tool to journal your mood with a Mood Meter. There are also sections on challenging core beliefs.<br />
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What I don't particularly like</b><br />
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There are also meditation exercises and a breathing tool. I do not personally rate the meditations or breathing and use different Apps for these (see below) which I find more suitable for me. Please note that the App is not a substitute for one-to-one therapy.<br />
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2) Headspace Mindfulness App</b><br />
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I have used Headspace Plus for several years for guided meditations. I find Andy's voice so soothing I have often used it just to help me get to sleep, which is a bit naughty as mediation/mindfulness should be something we do sitting upright and alert. Ah well. I tend to do unguided mediations now anyway but fall back to Headspace for any sleep issues as they recently introduced a whole section on sleep including sleepcasts, stories, white noise etc.<br />
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Why I think it is helpful</b><br />
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Headspace are currently offering a selection of meditations free to all, plus you can sign up for a free trial of Headspace Plus and sample more of their package. They are currently offering free access Headspace Plus to all NHS workers. Plus they are also offering free resources aimed specifically at the workplace and also for educators. It is a solid, easy introduction to the basis of mindfulness and there are so many packs one you subscribe that it takes a long time (years for me) to get bored.<br />
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What I don't particularly like</b><br />
<b><br /></b>I really wish the entire package was free for all at the moment, like Thrive.<br />
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3) Calm Breathing Tool</b><br />
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Calm is a mindfulness based app which has a few meditations and a Breathe tool which are free of charge. I have used the Breathe tool for a few years and often recommend to clients. You can choose your own backdrop with a picture and sounds of various landscapes (rainforest, lake, seashore etc) and then use the adjustable breathe tool to guide you to breathe in, hold and breathe out:<br />
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Why I think it is helpful</b><br />
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Breathing is a key component in relaxing and calming the body. The tool helps you to focus on breathing in a way that induces a more calm state. It is easy to use and the choice of tranquil background sounds enhances the experience. I have subscribed to the paid Calm package and have worked my way through various meditation courses. I particular like the voice of John Armstrong on the stress and anxiety courses.<br />
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<b>What I don't particularly like</b><br />
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The free Breathe function is great. I find some of the voices on the guided meditations slightly irritating.<br />
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4) Down Dog</b><br />
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Down Dog is a yoga app which is currently free to use until 1st June. A different therapist friend recommended this to me. I have attended weekly yoga for five years and it is an intrinsic part of my selfcare. For the last three years I have attended Jax's Hatha yoga session at her Lotus Loft studio which is only two doors away from my therapy practice. The classes are now taking place via Zoom however they clash with my therapy practice hours so I have been doing my own routines at home. Five weeks in and I am finding it hard to motivate myself so I have tried the Down Dog app and it is a decent alternative for now. Research continues to demonstrate that yoga is good for the mind as well as the body. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25004196" target="_blank">Trauma research conducted by Bessel van der Kolk</a> demonstrates that yoga is helpful in healing from trauma (PTSD, Complex PTSD).<br />
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Why I think it is helpful</b><br />
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There are many choices of settings on this App so it is suitable for beginners right through to advanced. You can select different components to your practice (i.e. Hatha, Restorative, Ashtanga, Yoga Nidra etc. Yoga Nidra is great for relaxation and helping with sleep. For some selections you can then choose differing levels from Beginner to Advanced. I initially selected Intermediate 2 (the fourth of five levels) of Hatha Yoga and it was slightly too advanced for me. There's lots to play with and it's an appealing process. There are six voices to choose from! Once you have made your selection a video plays of the session (audio only for Yoga Nidra which is a form of guided meditation). I really like this App!<br />
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<b>What I don't particularly like</b><br />
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Nothing so far.<br />
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<b>THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU NEED</b></h4>
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I do not want to be another voice adding to the endless advice about what you should be doing. Please consider investing some time in your own wellbeing. Yoga and mindfulness will help give you the space to reflect and process the fact that the world has turned upside down and that nothing is as it was. This is big stuff.<br />
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*I am currently offering online sessions via Zoom, Skype, FaceTime and telephone.<br />
<br />Amanda Williamson (She/her)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685203130859349559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518731414526924239.post-14482947870159673512019-11-21T18:29:00.008+00:002024-01-25T08:50:11.766+00:00What to expect from Counselling and Psychotherapy<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">by Amanda Williamson Reg MBACP (Snr Accred) - A guide to my therapy sessions </span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<b>(Updated Jan '24)</b></h4>
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<b>The first session</b></h4>
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<b>You might be feeling very anxious...</b></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">It is completely normal to feel anxious at first, particularly if this is your first experience of therapy. It can take a while to get used to the situation but almost all clients report feeling significantly more at ease as the session goes along. It can be quite a relief to talk about difficult issues with someone who is understanding, who clearly withholds judgment and with whom you do not have an emotional attachment. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><b>You might be surprised at how tearful you are...</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">It is also quite common to feel tearful and cry much sooner than anticipated. You might feel surprised by the intensity of feelings but it is completely normal especially after having to hold so much, usually for quite some time. The tears might be as much about relief as about expressing sadness. I have lots of boxes of tissues and am very used to witnessing tears in the therapy room.</span></div>
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We aren't very good at dealing with tears in this society. Because of this we can tend to be very self-conscious about crying in front of others and it's at that stage that I wish I had footage of me in therapy when I was a trainee therapist. It's one of the reasons why therapists who train with reputable and ethical training providers have personal therapy as part of our training. If you could see me having a good, hearty blub with my therapist, complete with blotchy eyes and runny nose, you might not feel so self-conscious about your own tears. </div>
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Most therapists understand what it's like to feel self-conscious, vulnerable, anxious and tearful and I most certainly do. It's also okay and normal to feel no anxiety or sadness.</div>
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<b>Making your way to the therapy room for face to face sessions<br /></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mMctCsB1MRTk_zCblBMNnqeH3Cb0iCIFqO-5zdgT54h7KHlONXm1aODpDPDqYrS_XIqmBk9LKAMW0O270lDoUM30YKlewALM_IF-sdhGpfY_hwGqOf-9jjEp2gTKdRNeE8sUbouXIkzz/s1600/FullSizeRender-4+copy+2.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mMctCsB1MRTk_zCblBMNnqeH3Cb0iCIFqO-5zdgT54h7KHlONXm1aODpDPDqYrS_XIqmBk9LKAMW0O270lDoUM30YKlewALM_IF-sdhGpfY_hwGqOf-9jjEp2gTKdRNeE8sUbouXIkzz/s320/FullSizeRender-4+copy+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>When you find my premises you will ring my doorbell and I will buzz you through to the hall. It is important that you arrive at the time of the appointment as there is no waiting room and I may still be with a client if you come early. </div>
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<b>The environment</b></div>
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It's a nice spot with a view of some trees and the sky. As a client, I appreciated being able to look outside sometimes. My room is comfortable and pleasant and certainly the nicest of the premises from which I have worked. The other practitioners on the same floor are also therapists and are very professional and considerate. I am now unable to offer drinks so please bring some water or another drink with you.</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; line-height: normal;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; line-height: normal;"><b>Video and telephone sessions</b></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; line-height: normal;"><b> </b></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; line-height: normal;">
We will need to establish connection via the chosen format (usually Zoom) prior to the
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Please ensure that you are in a private space. <br />
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If via video, it is better if I am able to see your head and upper body
where possible. It might be worth wearing headphones. I have good data
connectivity; it might be worth using wi-fi if your telephone data
signal is impaired.</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; line-height: normal;">Please use a static set-up rather than walking around with a mobile phone as it can be very hard for both of us to focus. I can also feel a little motion sickness when the screen moves around. <br />
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I advise that you give yourself sufficient time and space either side of
the session in order to be in the right head space. It can feel a
little confusing with no journey to and from the therapy room. I have
been doing video and telephone sessions for several years so it is
familiar territory for me. I am also suitably insured.<b><br /> </b></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; line-height: normal;">
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<b>Getting started <br /></b></div>
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The first thing I will do is some data gathering. This includes practical details such as address, date of birth, whether you have read the contract or not. Then I will move onto asking you about any physical or mental health issues and medication. I will ask about your family background (parents, siblings, partners, children etc). I will also ask whether you have had any suicidal thoughts, attempts and/or self harm and also whether you have encountered suicide or self harm in a family member or friend. </div>
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Please note that all notes are taken and stored on paper, in a locked filing cabinet in my room. I do not share the room with anybody else. The only person who has access to the filing cabinet is my colleague with whom I have a "Clinical Will" arrangement in the event of my sudden illness or death. Notes are destroyed 6 years after therapy has ended.</div>
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<b>Focusing in on the therapy</b></div>
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Then I will ask about any life events that may have impacted on the issues you are bringing to therapy and also ask what your goals are for therapy; what was it that lead to contact being made to set up this session? The aim by the end of the session is to have an agreed focus of work for future sessions. It is usual to have gained some insights, perspective and food for thought by the end of the first session.</div>
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<b>Any questions?</b></div>
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Please do have a think if there is anything you might want to ask me during the session, to help make your mind up whether you want to continue with further sessions.</div>
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<b>Rebooking</b></div>
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Towards the end of the hour, the question of booking the next session is looked at. It rare cases it may be appropriate for me to refer you to another therapist and I will explain clearly why, if this is the case. </div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; line-height: normal;"> </div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue"; line-height: normal;"><br /></div>
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<b>Subsequent sessions</b></div>
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We will refer back to the therapeutic goals in future sessions and review how we are doing and whether those goals need to be tweaked or added to in any way. </div>
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During sessions I write down notes in a fairly organic "mind mapping" way. Some clients find it helpful for me to email a picture of these notes as it helps remind them of the themes discussed. It's also okay to not want to see the notes.</div>
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I will sometimes ask how you feel about the sessions and whether you feel that we are working on the areas we need to be working. I might also ask whether you think we might be avoiding anything.</div>
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I will sometimes bring up the topic of ending or reducing the frequency of sessions and this is never because I am trying to get rid of a client. In fact, if that is the feeling that you get then it can precipitate a healthy therapeutic discussion about perceiving rejection. I bring it up as a therapeutic tool, to see if we are working on what we need to work on, as a genuine wondering whether it would be beneficial to look at reducing the frequency, particularly where it seems that very good progress has been made. Sometimes, by asking the question, it precipitates the opening up of something more for us to work on.</div>
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Without reviews and talk of endings I believe that therapy can become stagnant for clients with a potentially unhealthy dependency being fostered. That said, sometimes a long term therapeutic relationship is what is required. I don't think that there is a right or wrong but these things should be discussed to keep the therapy fresh and healthy for the client.</div>
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As a therapist I strive to foster empowerment and autonomy in my clients but also endeavour to never push away when what someone needs is the experience of being part of a consistent and safe space for a longer period of time. We are all different.</div>
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More details about how I work can be found on the <a href="http://www.amandawilliamsoncounselling.co.uk/p/about-counselling.html" target="_blank">My Approach</a> page of my website.</div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Ending therapy (</span>sometimes<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> prematurely) and resistance</span></span></b></div>
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Most often it is by mutual agreement that therapy ends. Goals have been largely met and it feels right for both the client and myself to end. We can review the goals, discuss the changes that have been made and celebrate the work we have done together. It is an important and wonderful part of therapy. Bittersweet in some ways as I do miss working with clients as we build a relationship and I do genuinely care, But it is also quite wonderful to know that my client does not need therapy any longer. </div>
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Sometimes, a client might start to feel resistant or rebellious. This is within the realms of normal behaviour within a therapeutic relationship. I see this as happening for a couple of reasons:</div>
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1) Our back brains resist change - by back brain I am referring to the limbic system and brainstem which learn from previous experiences (particularly childhood) how best to be. These ways of being become subconscious habits and are linked to our very survival as children. These adaptations were probably ideal for the situation we were in as kids but less so now as adults - they have become maladaptive. However, whilst our sensible front brain knows rationally that we need to change these old ways, the back brain begs to differ, and sometimes quite robustly. We might suddenly feel resistant to change and to the therapy.</div>
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2) Ideally we are able to go through a healthy teenage phase where we are loved and accepted unconditionally. Even when we are breaking boundaries and forging our independence in perhaps quite unhealthy ways, we need the experience of parents/caregivers who have robust enough egos to allow us to leave and come back, leave and come back. If we haven't had that experience before then being able to disengage from therapy and then choose to reengage again at a future time can be incredibly healing; Phase 2 therapy I call it. The early child stuff is kind of easier for clients and therapists. It's easier to appeal to a younger child so that part of us responds well to therapy. If we are working with our teenage hurt then it gets a bit more challenging, as any parents of teenagers might tell you.</div>
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The message is, it's okay to come back. Whether it was a planned ending or a sudden retreat, it is worth exploring the option of working together again.<br />
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<b>Ending therapy against my client's wishes</b><br />
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I may have cause to end sessions if it is clear that therapy is not helping or possibly harming my client or if there is a threat to my wellbeing. It is inappropiate to continue working with couples where there are issues around domestic violence. It may be appropriate for some clients to be referred to psychiatric services or other. I will always endeavour to treat such cases ethically and sensitively and am aways informed by the <a href="https://www.bacp.co.uk/events-and-resources/ethics-and-standards/" target="_blank">BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions.</a></div>
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<b>If you have any questions at all about any elements of this guide then please do not hesitate to contact me. This guide is intended for new clients of my service, to be read in conjunction with my therapeutic contract and <a href="http://www.amandawilliamsoncounselling.co.uk/2018/06/processing-data-policy-guide-to-what-i_74.html" target="_blank">Data Policy.</a></b></div>
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Amanda Williamson (She/her)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685203130859349559noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518731414526924239.post-24280477957560390222019-10-08T08:29:00.001+01:002019-10-08T15:33:13.000+01:00File on 4; BBC Radio 4 documentary on the lack of regulation of therapy<div style="text-align: right;">
Amanda Williamson Reg MBACP (Snr Accred)</div>
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Following on from the publishing of mine and a fellow therapist's experience of abuse/attempted abuse in therapy, and due to my public campaigning for the statutory regulation of counselling and psychotherapy, I am regularly contacted by journalists looking to publish articles and documentaries on the lack of regulation. I took a step back from campaigning early last year as I found it an exhausting, futile and thankless task. I also decided to stop assisting journalists researching the topic as I have spent much time doing so which has ended up being ultimately fruitless. Also, I obviously don't get paid for my time either and made the decision to spend my time focusing on my family and my private caseload and making sure that I have enough down time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaIid9SlFrhxCBIaprohDhZfRyqEkEkZxoaikDxNzDgjuE4yWy2oTdBnb_Z2XHlFAVe_qT2rNM13SHEOSj0EOBdAjEeCRRmmtb2JhTRABfXZ8mopc7yTQPhXNVxR78wNFNwH3IG5VpAWKh/s1600/Radio4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaIid9SlFrhxCBIaprohDhZfRyqEkEkZxoaikDxNzDgjuE4yWy2oTdBnb_Z2XHlFAVe_qT2rNM13SHEOSj0EOBdAjEeCRRmmtb2JhTRABfXZ8mopc7yTQPhXNVxR78wNFNwH3IG5VpAWKh/s200/Radio4.jpg" width="200" /></a>A few months ago I was contacted separately by three people asking me to consider chatting to them about a BBC documentary about therapy. I declined on all three counts, then the documentary producer gently persuaded me to have a chat about my interest in the regulation of therapy. He explained that all the messages I had received were in connection with a commissioned documentary that was already being filmed. The producer, Rob Cave, sounded like a decent chap and I agreed to speak to the journalist, Jordan Dunbar. I immediately felt at ease with Jordan and he quickly built trust.</div>
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Given my lack of flexibility I found Jordan very accommodating. He came to Exeter to film the interview whilst I was walking the dog. There may yet be a film clip (<a href="https://www.amandawilliamsoncounselling.co.uk/2014/09/counselling-sally-mutually-therapeutic.html">of Sally dog</a>) on TV at some stage. But for now the interview is part of the File on 4 documentary entitled "The Therapy Business". Inspired by Jordan's experience of unethical therapy, the documentary is pro-therapy and also pro-regulation of counselling and psychotherapy. There are many arguments against regulation but most members of the general public are genuinely perplexed when they find out that there is zero regulation. Instead we have a system of pseudo-regulation run by the quango Professional Standards Authority, called the Accredited Registers. In my opinion this is worse than no regulation as it is extremely confusing and gives an illusion of safety that does not exist. It also implies that a therapist who is newly qualified from a flimsy course with little experience is as competent as an experienced practitioner with more in-depth training and supervised experience.<br />
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The documentary includes input from two victims of abusive therapy, Geraint Davies MP who is attempting to put a pro-reg bill through parliament and a BACP representative.</div>
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<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0008nxl">The documentary can be found here.</a></div>
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Related Articles:</div>
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<a href="https://www.amandawilliamsoncounselling.co.uk/2016/05/regulation-of-counselling-and.html">Regulation of Counselling and Psychotherapy in the UK - Why we need it</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amandawilliamsoncounselling.co.uk/2014/11/regulation-client-and-therapist.htm">Regulation - a client and therapist friendly way forward?</a></div>
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Amanda Williamson (She/her)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685203130859349559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518731414526924239.post-87644060715059825032019-01-02T13:00:00.002+00:002019-01-02T13:00:11.117+00:00Relationships - when anger can be damaging<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><i>"Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me"</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I remember thinking about this when I was about 8 years old. I recall where I was at the time, standing on the bars on the swing inside the climbing frame we had in the garden. I don't know who it was that had called me names, but I distinctly remember thinking "what a load of rubbish, course it hurts". It does hurt when people are verbally abusive. We feel emotional pain and whilst it doesn't break our bones it can leave us feeling broken-hearted. So what does it mean if somebody close to us verbally abuses us? Well yes, it hurts, and it can be damaging to the relationship.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I sometimes see clients with anger issues that are affecting their relationships. Often there's something underlying the anger; usually unmet childhood needs and unhealed wounds springing forth and highjacking their rational thinking. </span>Something is<span style="font-family: inherit;"> said in anger, and it causes damage. We might not have </span><i>consciously</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> wanted to cause damage in that moment but maybe <i>subconsciously</i> we are trying to lash out and hurt </span>because<span style="font-family: inherit;"> of the pain (from the past) that has been triggered within us. When we are feeling vulnerable and distressed we can revert to infantile responses but ultimately they often do us more harm than good. It can take a lot of courage to really do the soul-searching required to heal from those deep childhood wounds, but the consequences of not doing so may sabotage our close relationships and therefore our own happiness.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have huge respect for those that choose to allow themselves to be vulnerable enough within a therapeutic relationship to learn how to regulate their emotions, allow a healthy functional relationship to develop with their therapist and to find ways of truly changing those patterns. This is not usually brief work. This </span>relational work, where early unmet needs are being addressed, requires commitment and consistency. The therapist needs to have very clear boundaries to provide the containment required. The client needs to be ready and willing to go and look where that pain resides.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm not entirely sure if everybody so afflicted has the choice to engage at this level or not, but that leads to a whole philosophical debate about freewill/choice. All I do know is that I have been privileged enough to witness this profound growth in some.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This article, about the damaging </span>effects<span style="font-family: inherit;"> of </span>threatening<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span>divorce<span style="font-family: inherit;"> in </span>relationships, prompted me to write this short post:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/threatening-divorce-during-an-argument-4088210" target="_blank">https://www.verywellmind.com/threatening-divorce-during-an-argument-4088210</a></span>Amanda Williamson (She/her)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685203130859349559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518731414526924239.post-77185546604673012982018-10-24T10:35:00.002+01:002024-01-09T22:25:50.523+00:00On therapists and retiring <div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">by Amanda Williamson Reg MBACP(Accred)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I recently heard that a prominent local therapist, Bronwyn
Carson, is due to retire at the end of the year. My first response was to feel
surprised and saddened, quickly followed by a “Good for her”. Selfishly I
worried that this was one less therapist for me to refer clients to.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I wrote to Bronwyn to congratulate her and ask about whether
she was taking on any short-term work in the meantime. I received a lovely
message back which was truly heart-warming. It was clear that Bron loves her
work and also loves life and is embracing what is to come.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This news about Bron coincided with me finishing reading <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Becoming-Myself-Psychiatrists-Irvin-Yalom/dp/0349410062" target="_blank">IrvinYalom’s Becoming Myself</a></span>. Without going into too much of a book
review here it is very interesting reading about his childhood and development
as a person and as a therapist. I find it intriguing that he is still
practising at 85. He writes in the book:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“Since I have helped so many people deal with aging, I thought I was
well prepared for the losses looming ahead, but I find it far more daunting
than I imagined. The aching knees, the loss of balance, the early-morning back
stiffness, the fatigue, the fading vision and hearing, all these catch my
attention but are minor compared to the fading of memory.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Yalom discusses issues around ageing and dementia. He writes
about witnessing other therapists in his therapist group, having to be removed
from the profession due to no longer being fit to practice with issues around
cognitive decline. Uncomfortable but an important consideration.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Anne Power explores such issues around retirement, planned and unplanned, in <a href="https://www.bacp.co.uk/bacp-journals/private-practice/spring-2017/when-is-it-time-to-retire/" target="_blank">this article published by the BACP</a>. She draws from the research published in her book <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Forced-Endings-Psychotherapy-Psychoanalysis-Attachment/dp/0415527643" target="_blank">Forced Endings in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis: Attachment and loss in retirement</a>. In the BACP article she states:</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“There
is no single blueprint for retirement, but one principle is very clear: the
responsibility to retire at an appropriate time lies with the therapist. We
can’t wait for a signal from an insightful colleague, or for referrals to dry
up or clients to leave us.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Death and decline is a taboo subject and we don’t talk about
it openly. My colleague <span class="MsoHyperlink">Roslyn Byfield</span>
campaigned for the inclusion of the requirement of Clinical Wills in the BACP
Ethical Framework. Roslyn has long been interested in the impact on clients of
sudden endings in therapy. She wrote in a letter submitted to the BACP
publication Therapy Today:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“…practitioners, especially those in private practice, must face the
fact of their own demise and plan for it as part of a responsible and ethical
stance on work. What gets in the way are the sense of omnipotence, phantasies
of immortality and loss of identity if no longer working…we cannot assume we
will know when to stop. Anne Power’s research found a good number continuing
into their 70s, 80s and beyond, exacerbating the risk of ‘dying in harness’
(some with no clinical will in place). This can lead to collusion between
client and therapist regarding the latter’s decline, the former effectively
adopting a carer role.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">When I have wondered about my own retirement (partially down
to suddenly panicking about lack of pension provision and how I’ve left it
rather late at 46…) I assume that I would probably work until around 70, health
permitting. Maybe longer. I like what I do, a lot. It seems to be helpful.
Being honest, it gives my life some sort of meaning. But what if I’m not very
good as I age? What if my brain is not sharp enough to be a safe and effective
therapist? But then I did see <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://www.amandawilliamsoncounselling.co.uk/2012/04/counsellor-exeter-session-with-yalom.html" target="_blank">Yalom when he was age 80</a></span> and he was super sharp. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bronwyn is retiring at 65, and has plans for
how to spend her time, checking off her bucket list.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I first heard about Bronwyn’s presence on the Exeter therapy
scene before I trained as a therapist, so well over 10 years ago. I heard
through a friend, then another, then another, about this brilliant therapist. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">She’s down to earth, she’s challenging,
she’s warm, she’s real,</i> etc. As I was considering being a therapist at the
time; I decided that if I did I’d very much like to earn a reputation like that<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">During my training I was aware that a couple of peers saw
Bron for their compulsory therapy as trainees. Some of us talked about our
experiences of our therapists and compared notes. I was aware that she had
tighter boundaries than some other therapists e.g. charging for missed
sessions…expecting regular attendance. I wasn’t so sure about that 10 years ago
when I was in training…things do change and I have learned that good boundaries
provide a better holding for the work I do with my clients.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Our paths didn’t cross professionally until I requested to
meet with her in 2015. I needed another female therapist to refer potential
clients to. As it turns out, unsurprisingly, Bronwyn was/is also very busy but
at least it was someone else I could trust who might have the odd space.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We met at her office and it was lovely to chat with her
about ethics and integrity. She spoke about her work in a way that was
respectful, warm and confidential such that I have felt very happy to refer
clients to her. Hence feeling saddened and aware that her retirement is a
genuine loss to the therapeutic community.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It prompted me to have a little exploration around
therapists and retirement, hence this post. If I am fortunate enough to choose
when to retire I would like to do it with grace and with a quiet celebration of
my work; as an honouring of the intimacy and trust of all the therapeutic
interactions; all those therapy hours listening to people’s truths.</span></div>
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<o:p><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Bron very kindly agreed to me interviewing her about her
impending retirement so that others might reflect on their own:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Please tell me how you came to be a therapist.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I came to be a therapist, as I needed to get
back into full time work after having my family. I believed if I had to work
for the next 25 years, then it would be sensible to find something I really
enjoyed. I had worked in the Samaritans voluntarily for about 6 years prior to
this time and loved it. I felt so engaged in this work and it seemed to come
naturally from within.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Retrospectively I realized this was my
apprenticeship into the world of therapy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">How has your practice changed since starting out?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In the first 8 years I worked in a G.P. surgery
and also held a job as a lead Counsellor in Occupational Health. Working in the
NHS gave confidence and credibility to me as a professional. Alongside this I
had a growing private practice. There was a definite point in time when I had
to choose between NHS and private work, as my reputation grew, and the number
of client hours increased alongside this.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I chose private practice for 3 reasons:<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">• I was now getting known in the field and had
enough referrals from clients who had enjoyed good outcomes working with me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">• I liked the concept of working for myself, in
a room that was of my choosing, professional, but not clinical and in the
convenience of my own home. (I was fortunate to have the facility for this, yet
a private room rented would have been an equally good option)<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">• I would earn double the hourly rate privately
than that in the NHS and I was now for the first time starting to really think
about the concept of pension planning and saving for my older years. I was now
in my mid to late 40’s.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">What aspects of the work have you most enjoyed?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The aspects I have enjoyed the most have
definitely been working with people of all walks of life. I have loved the
diversity of the job and the challenges we are presented within this style of
work. No one day is the same, no one person is the same, no one problem is the
same, everyone experiences life from their own unique perspectives.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">When did you decide your retirement age?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I always thought I would work until I was into
my mid to late 60’s. I have always known I would not work beyond that time as I
have great pride in my work and it has been my intention to retire when I am
still operating from my best level of competence. Every decade that I have
lived in my adult life I have been aware of my changing self. I know I cannot
do the same things at 65 that I could do at 35. I believe it is the same with
our competence as<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">therapists. Our wisdom and knowledge grow
throughout our career, but time is also running alongside that and our mental
agility does slow down and change too. My observations of older therapists over
the years, has gained me great insight into preparing for retirement both in
service of self and my clients. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
experience of life in this field of practice is that sometimes people are not
aware of declining competency and cognitive decline, hence my decision to
retire now whilst I still am!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">What advice would you give a trainee therapist
and a therapist such as myself who are perhaps midway along the journey between
starting out and retiring?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">My advice to all therapists is we must all keep
in sight the reason for doing the work that we do and also when to stop doing
it. Our work is about being selfless in the service of others, offering a
service that is safe, has integrity, and can be trusted. When I hear
supervisees saying – I can’t afford to retire, or I have no other interests I
will be bored if I retire - I ask - how is this in service of your clients? Our
clients are not here to fill our short fall of financial planning for older
age. Nor are they here to fill our lack of social interaction outside of the
therapeutic room. So my advice to all therapists is to always work towards the
wanted outcome of the client. Find out from the client what they want from
therapy. Help them to achieve this outcome and lead them onto autonomy.
Encourage them to move on, let go.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">What learning has there been for you since
declaring your intention to retire? Has this led to anything unexpected?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Since declaring my retirement I have had a
number of interesting “learns”. Firstly I have been through an unexpected gamut
of emotions! Am I doing the right thing? Will retirement suit me as I have been
so engaged with my work for so long? When clients ring up will I see the odd
one for old times’ sake? I realized in order for me to retire I needed to close
the door behind me with no hidden codicils (modifications). So I set myself a
clear date. December 19th 2018. I cancelled my insurance from that date on. (I
know I would never practice without it) I have given due notice of intent to
clients, supervisees and professional bodies. And then just like I have done in
other areas of life I started to research, to find out what a good retirement
should look like. I now have an ever-growing bucket list of things to do in
this new phase of my life, starting with a celebration holiday in January to
kick off the year. By doing this, I have become surprisingly excited about
retirement. I have started to look forward to it. I have given it momentum by
counting down the weeks of work left to do. All of this process was modeling
the underpinning of my work with my clients, the process of taking
responsibility for life choices, making them work for you and looking forwards
not backwards. Celebrating successes to raise self -esteem. I made a decision
to<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">make my retirement as successful as my working
life and I know I can do this, as I am the architect, designing its success.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">So where are you now weeks off your date of
retirement?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Many people have been surprised at my decision
to retire, as, in a way I have been. I began the process at the beginning of
the year. A dear friend died unexpectedly causing me to review my life and
retirement goals. All the background planning to support my retirement led me
to be able to take up the option of retiring now. As the news of my retirement
has drifted out into the universe, I have been greatly surprised by the
wonderful response. Some<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">clients have asked to come in and say goodbye
and to tell me of the progress they have made since our therapy ended. Some
have asked to come in and do a short piece of work before I go. Some just
wanted to say thank you. I have loved my work and I feel this greatly as I say
goodbye to a profession that I have been proud to serve and enrich and which in
return has enriched my life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">~</span></b></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This looks like good modelling for how we as therapists
should handle retirement. I value Bron’s commitment to clients and the fact that
their needs should be at the heart of our service. I am sadly seeing an
emerging sense of entitlement within a pocket of the profession and wonder
about the integrity of practitioners who emphasise their own needs above our
service users and the profession as a whole. We would do well to listen to and
take heed of Bron’s words. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I went onto Twitter to ask about other people’s experience
of their therapists retiring and received the following:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“It came a bit as a shock to me. My therapist and I had said goodbye
after 8+ years working together. Three years later I had a bit of a life event
and I contacted her for some more support, more for time limited focussed work
than long term exploration and resolving some old issues. When we met she said
she was winding down and retiring in a few months. In that session I didn’t
register much but afterwards I felt quite scared and lost. My secure and safe
go-to was no longer going to be there. Like I was suddenly on a high wire
without safety net. When we spoke about this later I realised that actually she
was more or less retired already and only had taken me on to support my process
of really saying goodbye to her and learning again that she wasn’t my only
safety net and that actually the biggest safety net I had was my own. All in
all it was a good experience because she was so attuned and gave me the time
and UPR</i></b>*<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">”. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">*unconditional positive regard<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">When I was researching for an <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.thecounsellorscafe.co.uk/single-post/2017/03/08/Care-When-Working-with-Trauma" target="_blank">article on working with trauma</a></span> I learned how abandonment in therapy can be
traumatising. That sense of abandonment can be perceived rather than intended
but can still provoke a strong emotional response and a therapist retiring can
be perceived, by our vulnerable part, as an abandonment. It might also trigger
old pain around the loss of grandparents or parents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Colleague <a href="https://inyourcommunity.org.uk/" target="_blank">Hazel Hill</a>, a BACP Accredited therapist and
supervisor shared the following about her Supervisor retiring:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“It was wrenching news to hear that my supervisor was retiring due to ill
health. I felt sad. She supported me through my accreditation and through my
early days of private practice. We had many laughs too. I loved her eccentric
ways and our thinking (and cynicism) was perfectly matched. I was totally
understanding to her retiring but if I’m really honest I was slightly cross at
her for leaving me in the lurch.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">She gave me plenty of notice and a list of supervisors to contact but I
buried my head in the sand and told myself it was ages away and did not start
looking for a new one early enough. In hindsight this was not helpful. I ended
up having a year moving around different supervisors. I think I was trying to
replace her and did not give any new supervisors a chance. I focused on my old
supervisor’s personality rather than thinking what I wanted from a supervisor.
In some ways, although I still miss her, it has been good for me to focus on
what I actually want from a supervisor and to make the most of my sessions
now.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I was also contacted by a practising therapist who shared
her thoughts around her personal therapist:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“When I decided to train as a psychotherapist, I asked my own, older
therapist if she was considering retirement, as I knew I was making a long-term
commitment to my own therapy. She said no, and we had worked together for
about 8 years altogether before she suggested that perhaps we should stop
because of my "chronic resistance" . I wanted to stay in therapy
until qualification, and didn't want to start work with a new therapist at
that point, so we negotiated a continuation.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">When I gained my qualification, we worked through closure and
ended with the agreement that she would come to my award ceremony some
months later. In the meantime, she contacted me more than once, which I
found invasive, to tell me that she was unwell and she repeatedly made
mistakes about the details of the ceremony. At the ceremony she told me that
she was now semi-retired, giving up membership of her professional
organisation and working only on a part time voluntary basis. I later
discovered that she was in fact almost 80 at this point. I wonder if she
had in fact wanted <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">or needed to retire at the time she suggested stopping work with me,
but <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">had not been able to acknowledge that.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This vignette highlights the possibility of doubts around
fitness to practice in old age and whether all therapists are self-aware enough
to ensure that their ongoing practice in later years is truly with the best
interest of the clients at heart. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">As Bronwyn alludes to above, we practitioners need to take
responsibility for our own old age, particularly if we are self-employed, to
ensure that we do not leave clients or supervisees in the lurch nor practice
beyond a level of competency in order to fill a short-fall in our planning.
What are we modelling to clients if do not face up to our inevitable old age
and decline? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I’ll leave you with some food for thought:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Anne Power’s words from the article linked to above:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“Talking
to colleagues is usually a great way to work through our difficulties, but sadly
retirement is often still a taboo subject. This may be because of the
association of retirement with aging and dying, the fear of being seen as a
‘has been’, as well as the risk that referrals might dry up before we are ready
to stop.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And Roslyn Byfield:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“If we cannot face our own endings how are we entitled to work with others
in their dark places?”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So, let’s talk…</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><br /></span></span></div>
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Amanda Williamson (She/her)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685203130859349559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518731414526924239.post-35391882317376366762018-10-15T18:40:00.003+01:002021-07-06T19:40:22.696+01:00Short/Medium/Longterm Work<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Reflecting upon my typical caseload there tends to be natural balance between a mixture of short, medium and long term work. Here is a little summary of some of the differences in timespan of therapy:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Short term work</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><br /></strong>
Sometimes my clients come for a few sessions in order to talk over a pressing issue in a neutral space. This can be useful for example for people in a position of power in their career, who are unable to chat things over with colleagues who may be employees who they feel a level of responsibility for. Short term work can also be useful for checking out important one-off life decisions that are not fuelled by childhood wounds, such as for example deciding to leave a relationship, whether to have children or not or discussing aspects of one's career.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Medium term work</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><br /></strong>
The larger part of my caseload consists of people looking for work which would equate to a couple, and possibly several months long. This might be appropriate where there are habits that have formed which aren't useful but are impacting on quality of life. Examples of this might be where one's confidence has been affected by the end of a relationship, being affected by workplace bullying, the impact of having children, difficult family dynamics, health issues and exploring sexuality.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Long term work</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><br /></strong>
Some of us require long term ongoing work and this is especially true for people with deep-seated childhood wounds which might arise from all types of abuse or neglect in childhood. Being the child of a parent with mental health issues, particularly personality disorders (Narcissistic, Histrionic and Borderline Personality Disorders), schizophrenia/schizotypal illnesses, PTSD amongst others, can have a deep and lasting negative impact on one's sense of self. Chronic emotional neglect (often due to the way our parents were parented) can affect our self-esteem/self-worth as pervasively as more obvious forms of abuse, much to the surprise of some clients.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">People with PTSD and in particular <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complex_post-traumatic_stress_disorder" target="_blank">Complex PTSD</a> due to abuse at the hands of others can understandably find it incredibly difficult to trust so creating a place where the entirety of a client can truly feel safe will often take a long time. If this work is rushed then there is a risk of <a href="http://www.amandawilliamsoncounselling.co.uk/2017/03/recently-published-article-on-trauma.html" target="_blank">retraumatization </a>so it needs to be handled competently and with due diligence.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This work typically takes longer because the now unwanted habits and thought processes are associated with a sense of survival; we adapted this way of being because it helped us to survive. Making changes at this deeper level requires a lot of effort, a lot of soul-searching and I find that the relational aspect of what I do (looking at what goes on in the relationship between myself and a client) is an important tool in this type of work. This is sometimes referred to as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychodynamic_psychotherapy" target="_blank">psychodynamic </a>work. For this reason I have had extensive personally therapy myself (I need to know where my wounds are to do this work safely and effectively) and I have fortnightly clinical supervision with a very experienced therapist/supervisor. I will reengage with personal therapy where necessary to work my stuff out in a separate space. Therapists are often wounded healers and without deep self-reflection and honesty, their stuff can get played out in the therapy room and is probably behind many therapist misconduct hearings.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Therapy for maintenance</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Some clients want ongoing long term work because they see at as "maintenance" in much the same way as some people have regular massage or chiropractor appointments. </span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Professional coaching services</span></h3><div><span style="background-color: black; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(8, 45, 80);">Certain professionals might benefit from ongoing support, in much the same way that I have </span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(8, 45, 80);">regular</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(8, 45, 80);"> clinical supervision to look at how my work impacts on me and to sound out any ethical </span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(8, 45, 80);">dilemmas</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(8, 45, 80);"> in what is an </span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(8, 45, 80);">isolating</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(8, 45, 80);"> job. This might also be true for </span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(8, 45, 80);">those</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(8, 45, 80);"> of you in high powered positions or careers that require an element of therapeutic input from you such as CEO's, headteachers, family law solicitors, personal trainers; any job where you are regularly supporting others' emotional needs. These sessions are normally held monthly and are invoiced at £75 </span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(8, 45, 80);">per</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(8, 45, 80);"> hour. </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: black; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Regardless of time span of therapy, I value the uniqueness that each client brings. Work is reviewed regularly to ensure that we are working with a client's best interests at heart.</span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>Amanda Williamson (She/her)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685203130859349559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518731414526924239.post-17976441136925362352018-10-14T18:27:00.006+01:002024-01-10T08:19:28.167+00:00Why I oppose the movement to automatically make all Registered BACP Members Accredited<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;">[UPDATE: the resolution did not receive enough support to go forward, thankfully]</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">A resolution has been put forward to the entire membership of the BACP as </span><span style="color: #222222;">follows:</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">"We are asking members to vote that the title of 'BACP registered' is changed to 'BACP Accredited' for all counsellors in recognition of their qualified status, commitment to professional and ethical standards and in line with other PSA accredited registers."</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></b></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The closing date has been extended to lunchtime Monday 15th </span>October.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> If there is enough support for this resolution then it will go to a vote at the BACP AGM on 16th November 2018.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">I oppose this movement as I believe it has been done with inadequate consultation with service users and other members.</span><br />
<br style="border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; color: #222222;" />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">is </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">some confusion in the profession as the National Counselling Society, a much smaller and more recently formed </span>professional<span style="font-family: inherit;"> body, automatically grant their registered members Accredited status without the experience and criteria that the BACP require of their </span>Accredited members. <span style="font-family: inherit;">The UKCP, another </span>professional<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span>body<span style="font-family: inherit;"> for </span>therapists<span style="font-family: inherit;"> who have a PSA </span>Accredited<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Register, has a completely different membership system. I believe that it is only the NCS who award "Accredited member" status to newly qualified </span>therapists<span style="font-family: inherit;">. This NCS </span>anomaly<span style="font-family: inherit;"> has been very useful for therapists who wish to call themselves Accredited without going through the procedures and criteria required </span>by<span style="font-family: inherit;"> the BACP who have had a system in place for many years to allow qualified </span>therapists<span style="font-family: inherit;"> to </span>demonstrate<span style="font-family: inherit;"> and provide proof of their </span>extensive<span style="font-family: inherit;"> experience and self-reflection. </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.amandawilliamsoncounselling.co.uk/2015/02/accredited-this-accredited-that-psas.html" target="_blank">I have questioned this confusion for several years.</a> I do not see that this resolution is the answer and I believe that the main factor for people behind this proposal is to be able to attain BACP Accredited status without going through the Accreditation process. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">If the resolution goes through it will be in part due to many Registered members enjoying this leg-up where all they have to do is click a button.</span><br />
<br style="border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; color: #222222;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">I know of some Registered Members who oppose this because they value the BACP Accreditaiton scheme and would like to apply as and when they feel ready to do so. </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">I know many Registered members who are very experienced and skilled at their job. In fact, I regularly refer clients to three excellent therapists I know who are BACP Registered but not BACP Accred. This is because I know them personally and am familiar with how they work. They are consistently busy and have no commercial need to attain Accredited status. Outside of this familiarity I would advise clients to select an Accredited member because there will have been a proven level of experience and self-reflection. Although I had a consistently busy private practice I </span><span style="color: #222222;">personally</span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> went for </span>Accreditation<span style="font-family: inherit;"> for professional development and found it an extremely valuable process. <a href="http://www.amandawilliamsoncounselling.co.uk/2014/10/my-surprising-response-to-being-awarded.html" target="_blank">I wrote about that here.</a></span></span></span><br />
<br style="border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; color: #222222;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">There is a need for some kind of evolution however this movement seems to be focused solely on a goal of helping newly qualified counsellors get jobs rather than looking at the needs of service users. The issues of jobs for therapists needs to be approached from a completely different angle. That is about government policy and looking at the culture within counselling organisations.</span><br />
<br style="border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; color: #222222;" />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">It is claimed by the </span><span style="color: #222222;">movement</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"> that is discriminatory that those that have undergone the Accreditation process might be more likely to find work than newly qualified. It also continually asserted that only privileged therapists can afford to apply for BACP Accreditation. It is not from a position of privilege that I gained my Accreditation. I had a cleaning job and worked at weekends to supplement my low income when starting out. If you can do a decent counselling qualification you can do BACP Accreditation.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; color: #222222;" /></span>Many Accredited counsellors are understandably concerned that their hard-earned status will be devalued. Moreover, if the BACP are being pressurised to make huge adjustments to be more like the NCS, some are concerned that they will be devalued as an organisation.<br />
<br style="border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; color: #222222;" /><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Fundamentally, I am all for a wider discussion on the confusion caused by the NCS and Professional Standards Agency now being important participants in the profession. However, I am fundamentally opposed to this particular movement which I believe to be ill-conceived and bullish. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">The therapists behind this resolution would do well not to be posting in public spaces such disparaging things about other </span>BACP<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"> members. I find it highly unsavoury, disrespectful and unprofessional to openly refer to people opposing this resolution in such terms as “losing their shit”, and having “hot flushes” and “clearly needing therapy” (a rather inappropriate insult) and that they are “passing round the popcorn”, in relation to reading the forum, and describing therapists as “willy waving their accreditation”. Further, accusations of people respectfully opposing the resolution as “gaslighting” and“abhorrent” are undermining of the work we do with people who are genuinely abused.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">What many of us are wondering is, if the BACP </span><span style="color: #222222;">Accreditation</span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> system is unfair, and the NCS is a supportive and </span>according<span style="font-family: inherit;"> to some, </span>such<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span>better<span style="font-family: inherit;"> organisation, perhaps the answer is for those who are angry with the BACP </span>membership<span style="font-family: inherit;"> tiers system to resign their BACP </span>membership<span style="font-family: inherit;"> and join the NCS. I do not see it as </span>problematic<span style="font-family: inherit;"> if the membership of the BACP is reduced and it continues to represent therapists with similar </span>intrinsic<span style="font-family: inherit;"> values and principles. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One of the worst things about this debate has been the way in which it has been argued. I am </span>deeply<span style="font-family: inherit;"> concerned about how this </span>reflects on the entire profession. The BACP Ethical Framework for Good Practice is not some flimsy document that pays lip service to </span></span><span style="color: #222222;">integrity. It should be the underpinning for how we represent the profession, inside and out of the therapy room, as members of the BACP.</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222;">I do not believe the BACP to be a perfect organisation. It would make me rather weird if I did. There are flaws and I believe that it is appropriate to challenge and try and change things for the better, but with respect, integrity and dignity. My colleague <a href="https://www.bacp.co.uk/bacp-journals/private-practice/spring-2016/where-theres-a-will-theres-a-way/" target="_blank">Roslyn Byfield campaigned</a> for the inclusion of the necessity for therapists to have Clinical Wills in the Ethical Framework. She did this respectfully and appropriately. It worked.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">If/when this has all gone away perhaps we can have an adult debate about the many issues that this resolution is attempting to address.</span>Amanda Williamson (She/her)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685203130859349559noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518731414526924239.post-26086504915035030102018-06-03T17:56:00.000+01:002018-06-03T17:56:02.371+01:00Processing Data Policy – A guide to what I do with your details<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #073763;">Data collection</span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #073763;">I will collect your name, address, email address, telephone
number, date of birth and your GP’s details. I will also collect potentially
sensitive data such as physical and mental health issues, medication taken,
family details and reasons for counselling.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #073763;">During sessions I will write down some of the salient points and
issues as they arise. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #073763;">Process and use of
this data<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></b>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #073763;">All details are restricted to hand-written paper documents which
are stored in a locked filing cabinet.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #073763;">The contact details allow me to contact you during our
counselling sessions. I will only share this information with the police or
your GP if I believe you to be a <a href="" name="_GoBack"></a>significant risk to the
lives of others or yourself through stated intent to commit suicide. I am also
legally obliged to notify the appropriate authorities regarding terrorist
activity or drug money laundering. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #073763;">The notes regarding sensitive personal details assist me in
working appropriately with the issues you bring. I may refer to and discuss the
content verbally with my clinical supervisor however your identity will be
concealed.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #073763;">I may share information I hold about you, if requested to by my
insurance company, in the event of a complaint made against me.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #073763;">Disposal of data<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></b>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #073763;">I will hold all data in my filing cabinet for a period of 7
years following the end of therapy. All notes will subsequently be destroyed.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #073763;">Letters to third
parties<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></b>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #073763;">Where I am requested by a client to write a letter to a third
party such as a solicitor, GP or to write an invoice which includes your data,
I will delete the files from my computer and keep a hard copy with your client
file in my filing cabinet. The laptop I use for writing such letters is for my
business use only and is password protected.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #073763;">Clinical Executor<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></b>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #073763;">In the unfortunate event I can no longer work with you due to my
sudden sickness or death, I have appointed a clinical executor who will have
access to this data to notify you of the situation.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #073763;">Consent</span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></b>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: #073763;">Please sign below if you
consent to your above details being stored in this way:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: #073763;">Name: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>________________________________________</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Signed</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">:
________________________________________<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>Date: </b>______________________________<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: #073763;">(Updated 3rd June 2018)</span></span></div>
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Amanda Williamson (She/her)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685203130859349559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518731414526924239.post-38954151091939198942018-05-02T15:39:00.002+01:002024-01-10T08:21:50.103+00:00Thoughts on weight loss and the role of Counselling and Coaching - with guest Health Coach Adele Stickland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I often see clients who
want to explore issues around weight. The work I do with these clients usually includes elements of discussing underlying factors which can be many and varied.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-mSr5ECyDpjATstzsC9yNcHKBtwF22qW59Eyn_PANIWYT5S54IKicFsLUbZF60iBCP-Vb3ZhPCpte7xi7PwpJ-2qZKBz9Ht2NY_m-gMK1cUFOr0HyoDXm1J8KQc-Gj9vxoSrzVRepiKMb/s1600/syrup.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><br /><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;">Sometimes it makes sense
to look at the historical relationship with food. I have struggled with sugar cravings and can link that back to my naughty “sugar missions” as I used to
call them. At around age 7 or 8, when the family were all busy doing something
like watching telly, I would raid the baking cupboard and help myself to golden
syrup, granulated sugar, ice cream toppings…I remember how soothing it felt if I
was lonely or bored. It’s no wonder I get a buzz from it as an adult! As well as the
physiological response there would be the brain chemical rush and the thrill of
being naughty. Alcoholism features strongly in my family tree too and there is
understood to be a link between <a href="https://spinalresearch.com.au/sugar-addiction-linked-alcoholism/" target="_blank">sugar and alcohol addiction</a>. Exploring things
like this can help us to be less judgmental towards ourselves and in fact
judgmentalism towards ourselves can increase our need for sugar in order to soothe the
bad feelings we have created for ourselves. It’s a vicious circle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvw1QcnyuT4hDHmO_s6D_Ys-zcbEsQaC945M06VTn_0rrXYCEDEPHL7RKfAENS1EJvu70EiiU05y9QrgPKfwvhgtQ9uM2EG85qUV8vPrIRmBgjud5KUAttyCpZNuwVFVcKM_mPEIWLbB_S/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-05-02+at+12.02.27.png" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvw1QcnyuT4hDHmO_s6D_Ys-zcbEsQaC945M06VTn_0rrXYCEDEPHL7RKfAENS1EJvu70EiiU05y9QrgPKfwvhgtQ9uM2EG85qUV8vPrIRmBgjud5KUAttyCpZNuwVFVcKM_mPEIWLbB_S/s200/Screen+Shot+2018-05-02+at+12.02.27.png" width="185" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me aged around 8 or 9</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Some of us may have had
a parent/s with a complex relationship with food that impacted upon us as a
child. If a child has a tendency to carry a little excess weight then they may
have been inadvertently or overtly shamed by parents, other children or even, I have heard, by compulsory weigh-ins at
a "fat clinic" for overweight children in decades gone by (I really hope those died a death). <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Compulsive eating and
diet sabotaging have lots in common with other compulsive behaviours such as
problem gambling, alcohol addiction, even an attachment to an unhealthy
relationship. My therapeutic interventions are informed by the training I did
with </span><a href="http://www.amandawilliamsoncounselling.co.uk/2012/05/exeter-counsellor-smart-recovery.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">SMART Recovery</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, the specialist training with the </span><a href="http://www.amandawilliamsoncounselling.co.uk/2012/06/exeter-counsellor-problem-gambling.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">gambling charity Gamcare</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">
and the work of </span><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Molecules-Emotion-Why-You-Feel/dp/0671033972" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Candace Pert, author of Molecules of Emotion</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> who was the
neuropharmacologist who discovered the opiate receptor. Candace Pert makes a compelling argument for how we can be addicted to emotional states, even bad ones, because we crave the chemical signals our bodies get used to receiving.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;">An example of a practical
tool I might use to help understand the underlying dynamics in compulsive behaviour is the SMART
Recovery "Motivational Matrix". Here is a made-up example of one for sugar
addiction:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5voh7BsC2_DNVzQfEY9W4YgBukRpCGE9nrSEokrQwkEornygqysUTjtErhcuuAzHcIK5kbGQbvgPWVCrMF1k2WqkTWUWzmsyS0trdV7mgDt_P-UEtJV0Ny0C2MZXMYJd1-Pe6_9c0NjbB/s1600/Motivational+Matrix.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="1072" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5voh7BsC2_DNVzQfEY9W4YgBukRpCGE9nrSEokrQwkEornygqysUTjtErhcuuAzHcIK5kbGQbvgPWVCrMF1k2WqkTWUWzmsyS0trdV7mgDt_P-UEtJV0Ny0C2MZXMYJd1-Pe6_9c0NjbB/s640/Motivational+Matrix.png" title="" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;">There is almost always
nothing in the Long Term/Positives box, regardless of type of compulsive
behaviour. Doing an exercise like this can help us see clearly in black and
white just how much the negatives feature in our vicious circle. Controlling
impulses in the short term can be easier if we know what we are really up
against.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 21.007999px; letter-spacing: -0.273104px;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">"We sit down and eat for pleasure, using all of our senses," </i>Mireille Guiliano, author of </span><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 21.007999px; letter-spacing: -0.273104px;">French Women Don't Get Fat</span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.273104px;">This sums up a final piece of advice from me. If we have committed to eating that bar of chocolate, which lets face it, if we're on the way to the cupboard to get it then it's going to happen, then can we actually allow ourselves to enjoy it? Instead of self-flagellating ourselves with feel bad chemicals which trump any of the pleasure, let's think about the pleasurable aspect and eat mindfully. So many people I have worked with tell me that they eat compulsively whilst watching the TV and don't even notice what they are doing or feel the enjoyment of it. It's become a compulsion and we are missing out on the point of the "naughty but nice". </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;">Coaching</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></span></h3>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So with all that
understanding and insight there can still be the need to strategise in order to implement the changing of
ingrained habits. Some of us might benefit from support in implementing
changes to our diet and lifestyle without dipping into the past, Depending on your personal situation it might be preferable over counselling and psychotherapy altogether to go straight into working with a coach. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have been following the
work of my previous <a href="https://adelespilates.co.uk/" target="_blank">Pilates Coach Adele Stickland</a> over the last few years as she is also the online Get Gorgeous Health Coach. I invited her to be
a guest on this blog as I would like to share her work and the concept of
health coaching. I really like Adele’s style. She is very down to earth and
sets realistic goals. She works with women around 40 and over. Adele kindly
agreed…<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><b>Hi Adele, I came to you
initially for Pilates classes (which were wonderful by the way and only stopped
due to my schedule) and since then have followed your Get Gorgeous Facebook
page and blog posts. What was behind expanding your Pilates business towards
online nutrition, health and lifestyle coaching?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNakiMEMhyDKfTthB7Oyk0NwCVg7sVxB6kIH61_QS-XFiFibx5CzvOuQKUxfjbTESkaXRTwa9EDnch7RDVUNmgNSeugSt2YPl-moMn5PnOXpkQA_MRFYLZdSAGGOWIBexhFBY9p8SrYpD/s1600/adele.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="293" data-original-width="400" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNakiMEMhyDKfTthB7Oyk0NwCVg7sVxB6kIH61_QS-XFiFibx5CzvOuQKUxfjbTESkaXRTwa9EDnch7RDVUNmgNSeugSt2YPl-moMn5PnOXpkQA_MRFYLZdSAGGOWIBexhFBY9p8SrYpD/s200/adele.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adele Stickland - Get Gorgeous Coach</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><i>Hi lovely Amanda<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><i>Yes that is right I
remember the very first class you attended, you were strong and a little
inflexible but with Pilates practise you soon changed that.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><i>I started teaching
Pilates over 20 years ago, at first I was using it as a down time from my ‘real
exercise’ of high impact aerobics, step, BodyPump you know the normal crazy
things we used to do. I soon realised I was addicted to this type of adrenalin
exercise but it was not doing my body or my mind any favours.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><i>Currently I only teach
Pilates and I am reducing my in person classes steadily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I grow I realise for myself I need to
reduce my face to face teaching hours and increase my online presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is an industry trend, but also fits my
home and my own mental space.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><i>As an instructor I was
constantly talking to people about the right things to eat, something that I
was confused about for years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
instructors we were all on the eat more carbs band wagon so we could keep
exercising, Over the years I learnt that bread and pasta were giving me a short
burst of energy but a huge tummy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><i>My online Get Gorgeous
business grew because of the pain of listening to women in particular enduring
that roller coaster diet ride which is addictive and damaging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was staggered by comments from women who
were diet leaders for WW and SW and were adding ‘aspartame’ to their food to
make it palatable but completely unaware of the health issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realised with shock and frustration that
Diet’s simply aren’t a healthy way to live. <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><b>I was really taken with
the video on your Facebook Page
(<a href="https://get-gorgeous.com/why-weight-gain-is-not-your-real-problem/">https://get-gorgeous.com/why-weight-gain-is-not-your-real-problem/</a>) where you
tell us that weight gain is not the real problem. I think that this hits home
with many of us. I totally agree with you and find as a therapist that all
compulsive behaviours (including the compulsion to eat not-so-virtuous foods)
seem to be more about the vicious circle of 'drama' (the word you use in the
video). This is absolutely what I see. Whether it be eating, drinking,
gambling, shopping; along with the hook of the buzz (the
dopamine/serotonin/adrenalin etc) is the crash of guilt, shame, self-judgment.
The peptides that our body releases when we feel those painful emotions can in
theory be as addictive as the pleasure hormones!</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><i>Diets focus on the
outcome of the fridge scenario, and how to stop you when you get to the fridge.
With no planning or understanding of what you are doing you are bound to find a
quick fix or a diet snack. Both are low quality food choices and then you
then work through that guilt, shame and personal disgust scenario.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is extremely painful and demoralising. </i></span></span><i style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">Get
Gorgeous works before the fridge scenario takes over. Firstly look at what you are going to do for
the week and plan out your healthy options.</span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><i>Which, okay that is what
every diet recommends, but what is different about Get Gorgeous is we look to
stop the ‘mind chatter’ the detrimental chat in your head that causes your
stress and begin to break the negative cycle and change the way you ‘chat to
yourself’ before you head to the fridge.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><i>Once you get to the
cupboard or fridge door IT IS TOO LATE!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You are never going to resist. Yes, you have worked hard, too hard, deal
with the working hard issue not the battle at the cupboard door.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><i>Your weight gain is not
your main problem, it is not your biggest worry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your weight gain is a symptom of a deeper
issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Weight gain is not the cause of
your discomfort or displeasure with your body, it is the result of deep
insecurity and deep feelings of resentment that have not been dealt with from
your past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><i>You may never know why
you feel intensely uncomfortable when somebody says something innocent to
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may never understand the exact
cause of that feeling in your belly or your throat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you can understand it is there and learn
how to move past it. There are productive and satisfying ways of dealing with
your food or any type of anxiety demon.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><i>It takes a little bit of
awareness and an appreciation that you are gorgeous.</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><b>Please would you tell me
something about what you provide? Who might benefit from having a chat with you
and why?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><i>I offer a way of adding
good nutrition into your busy life with ease and flow, I work with you to find
a way to add exercise into your life and I offer a safe space to explore why
you react to stress and manage a situation that moves away from old eating habits.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><i>I offer a group programme
and one to ones, depending on the work my gorgeous girls need.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><i>I specialise in working
with women who are heading to 40/50 or 60.</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><b>What top three-lifestyle
issues would you say we might all benefit from tweaking, to enhance our health
and happiness? (no pressure!)</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><i>Great question and
interestingly enough I have written a blog on that here is the link:<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><i><a href="https://get-gorgeous.com/boost-your-energy-in-as-little-as-21-days/">https://get-gorgeous.com/boost-your-energy-in-as-little-as-21-days/</a><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><i>In essence I would a
start by suggesting eating more protein, women in particularly are depleted in
this macronutrient and our energy levels are illustrating this lack of
nutrient. </i></span></span><i style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;">Once that habit is
established and you start to feel better, more energised and motivated then I
would slowly help you to increase your exercise, and finally I would slide in a
reduction of your sugar or quick fix habits you have relied upon, for instance
chocolate bar in the 4pm slump, sweeties on a long journey, coffee and cake at
mid morning. I wouldn’t start with the scary stuff, I start small and help you
to feel better first.</i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><i>Let me show YOU can
improve your health and create healthy habits and strategies. Become the real
you and step into the person you were meant to be. APPLY for some time with me.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><i>Adele x</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #073763;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">A massive thanks to Adele. How did she know about my 4pm slump? I highly recommend her <a href="https://adelespilates.co.uk/" target="_blank">Exeter based Pilates classes</a> and she also sells <a href="https://adelespilates.co.uk/shop/" target="_blank">Pilates DVDs</a>. You can find her <a href="https://www.facebook.com/adelegetgorgeous/" target="_blank">Get Gorgeous Facebook page here</a>. </span></b></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #073763;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">I mention how activities such as Pilates can help the therapeutic process in this article: <a href="http://www.amandawilliamsoncounselling.co.uk/2013/08/top-5-lifestyle-tips-things-to-do.html" target="_blank">http://www.amandawilliamsoncounselling.co.uk/2013/08/top-5-lifestyle-tips-things-to-do.html</a></span></b></span></span></div>
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<b style="color: #082d50; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: right;">Amanda Williamson is BACP Registered and Accredited private counsellor working in central Exeter, Devon. </b></div>
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<b style="background-color: transparent;"><a href="http://www.amandawilliamsoncounselling.co.uk/2016/11/professional-confidential-friendly_10.html" style="color: #0b5394; text-decoration: none;">Welcome to Counselling in Exeter</a></b></div>
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Amanda Williamson (She/her)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685203130859349559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518731414526924239.post-63651124554759588342017-08-30T11:59:00.001+01:002021-07-06T19:42:43.545+01:00Therapists and holidays<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I write this a week after returning from two weeks annual leave. I have been wondering whether it might be an idea to give newer clients a hand-out to read prior to planned breaks so that they have a idea of how a therapist having a break might impact on a client. Most clients do not appear to be adversely affected by my having time off and I always do my absolute best to give as much notice as possible. Some clients value having a bit of a breather. However, during any holiday I take, some clients might be impacted negatively and although it might seem clear that clients with attachment issues and complex trauma would have more chance of being impacted, it is not always obvious to me who might be affected and in what way. It might not even be clear to a client that they are being impacted by their therapist's absence so open and honest dialogue is important and, on the part of the therapist, an awareness of this being a possibility.</span><br /><br /><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Occasionally, a client might be so impacted that they withdraw from therapy completely without giving themselves the chance to learn and grow from the experience. I would venture to say that of the few clients that have disengaged from therapy without prior discussion this is more likely to happen following my absence. Of course this might be that time out from therapy has given the client enough space to decide that it doesn't seen to working for them but I strongly suspect that this is not always the case.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<h4>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The importance of self-care for therapists</span></b></h4>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I very much value and enjoy the work I do but it can sometimes be emotionally depleting, especially if one is a busy, full time therapist and/or if dealing with serious trauma work. Taking time out from being a therapist is paramount for many reasons:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Avoiding burn-out</b> - a therapist with burn-out who then has to take time off with stress might result in unplanned breaks which for clients are almost always much harder to deal with than planned breaks.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>To regain a healthy perspective</b> - this is particularly true when dealing with issues such as childhood sexual abuse and complex trauma. These are areas where even the most positive thinking therapist might start to view the world with a somewhat negative outlook, finding ourselves immersed in the darker side of what human beings are capable of. This can be one of the warning signs of burn-out and a reason why self-aware therapists will cap the amount of trauma work they take on as well as taking adequate breaks.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>To spend quality time with friends/partners/children/family</b> - important for almost all people, no matter what their job or lifestyle.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>To have some alone time</b> - also important for most people, perhaps particularly for the more introverted therapist *holds hand up*.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Modelling self-care</b> - how can we expect clients to learn to value themselves and honour their personal requirements for self-care if we don't do the same by not taking adequate breaks?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Taking time out for other work related tasks</b> - as a self-emplyed therapist I run my own business, update my own website and social media accounts, do my accounts and like all therapists, regularly engage in Continuing Professional Development such as workshops, reading, research and occasionally writing articles such as this. Due to my working full-time and having family commitments, I do not have much spare time to catch up on the admin side of the role.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I asked for therapists and people who are/have been in therapy to share any comments they had about the topic.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Comments from other therapists via my <a href="https://twitter.com/Amanda_Exeter/status/902534615398850562" target="_blank">Twitter post</a></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I know I NEED breaks, that it would be unethical not to have rest time, but it leaves me a bit uneasy.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">— SissyJupe58 (@SissyJupe58) <a href="https://twitter.com/SissyJupe58/status/902538343065546752">August 29, 2017</a></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and is this as a client or therapist?</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">— Amanda Williamson (@Amanda_Exeter) <a href="https://twitter.com/Amanda_Exeter/status/902541762643812353">August 29, 2017</a></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As therapist. As a client I enjoy breaks! Ironic.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">— SissyJupe58 (@SissyJupe58) <a href="https://twitter.com/SissyJupe58/status/902551132442120193">August 29, 2017</a></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think it's important to have regular breaks - it models self care to clients and gives them a chance to see how they get on without you.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">— Laura Hollywood (@counsellorlaura) <a href="https://twitter.com/counsellorlaura/status/902551651931836416">August 29, 2017</a></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Regular breaks and as much notice as possible - with new enquiries I flag up breaks in advance too. Reminders leading up to breaks too.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">— Úna Cavanagh (@CounsellorUna) <a href="https://twitter.com/CounsellorUna/status/902553765189955584">August 29, 2017</a></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Planning & awareness of those breaks helps shape the work, develop resilience</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">— therapy-space-uk (@therapyspaceuk) <a href="https://twitter.com/therapyspaceuk/status/902756239830110209">August 30, 2017</a></span></blockquote>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">A therapy client's point of view (sent via my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CounsellinginExeter/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>)</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b>
I was kindly sent the following by somebody in therapy in response to my question about the impact of holidays:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #16191f;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i><b>I've seen many therapists and a flash point for
me is always when they have long breaks e.g. the summer holidays etc. Although
I am completely aware that all good therapists need to have breaks and look
after themselves I find it so hard to reconnect with them after a break and
this is often the time I chose to bail on them and not return to sessions. I find
it very hard to bond with people, especially professionals, and find that a
long break just makes me shut down and then I don't want to go back. Want is
probably not the best choice of word. <o:p></o:p></b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #16191f;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><i><b>The first time my current therapist, who is by
far the best I've seen, was going to have a month off for summer she said 'While
I'm on holiday can I ask you...' and I finished her sentence 'Can you ask me not
to contact you as you need family time, you are a professional with boundaries
etc' and I had that sinking feeling that it was all about to go wrong for me. But to my surprise she said 'Nope, can I ask you that if shit and fan collide
please get in touch and we can have some communication?'. </b></i></span></span><i style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><b>Because she had said that I didn't freak out,
feel trapped,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or indeed contact her, I
think because I knew I could and I didn't feel rejected.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #16191f;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i><b>During the Christmas break I miscarried my IVF
baby and I emailed her and we did meet up, her suggestion not mine, and that
was so helpful. I know if we hadn't been able to I wouldn't have been ok about continuing sessions after Christmas. <o:p></o:p></b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #16191f;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i><b>I do completely understand therapists need
holidays and breaks and probably need more than most! Clients, me included, can
be very selfish and see long breaks as rejection or as a wobble in therapy and
previous to my current therapist I couldn't then reconnect with them as they
had laid down tight professional boundaries which were inflexible and made me
feel 'controlled'. <o:p></o:p></b></i></span></span></div>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #16191f;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><b>Therapy is so intense , I see mine twice a
week, and a break of a month is eight sessions and that seems insurmountable
when you're in a mess!</b></span></span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #16191f;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Somebody else commented:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><b><i>I really appreciate and value that my counsellor takes around a month off in the summer. Showing her commitment to self care and always well prepared for.</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;">So as therapists it is important that we:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Take adequate breaks from the work</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Give as much notice as possible to clients about breaks</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Be aware of the potential impact of our breaks and introduce a discussion with our clients around the topic before and after</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;">And for clients:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"> Be aware that it is normal to be impacted by breaks so don't judge yourself negatively</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Bring any uncomfortable feelings </span>about<span style="font-family: inherit;"> breaks to your therapist. If you don't feel able to talk about this with your therapist then maybe this isn't the right therapist for you</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A good </span>therapist<span style="font-family: inherit;"> will welcome discussion around any impact on you. It can be a valuable part of your </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">process, particularly if you have struggles around trust, </span></span><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;">attachment or abandonment.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Please leave your thoughts in a comment below. I value feedback and we can all learn from each other.</b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i>
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<br />Amanda Williamson (She/her)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685203130859349559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518731414526924239.post-44243806702822990732017-03-12T19:22:00.004+00:002024-01-10T08:25:20.343+00:00Recently published article on trauma work on counselling and psychotherapy<span style="font-size: large;">I used to blog so much more regularly however since working full-time as a private therapist (I went to 5 days a week in January 2015) I have had very little time for writing. Along with a busy life outside of work and campaigning for regulation of counselling and psychotherapy I often have topics I would like to write about...if I had the time...but, well...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Last year saw the important publishing of the <a href="https://notsobigsociety.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/unsafe-spaces-report-may-2016.pdf" target="_blank">Unsafe Spaces report</a> which I co-authored along with Phil Dore* my fellow campaigner. Finding the time to focus on this was difficult but it is very important to me to contribute to discussion within the profession.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Then a few months ago I was invited by the online magazine <a href="https://www.thecounsellorscafe.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Counsellors Cafe</a> to write an article. Having spent several months prior to that thinking about writing something about the difficulties of working with trauma I decided to use this opportunity to focus on producing something to get some of my concerns out there. So I finally got my act together and started to work on a piece which was published on 10th March entitled <a href="https://www.thecounsellorscafe.co.uk/single-post/2017/03/08/Care-When-Working-with-Trauma" target="_blank">Care When Working With Trauma (click to take you directly to the article).</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I had a few factors that had motivated me to write such a piece:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Working directly with clients who have been abruptly dropped by a therapist and hearing accounts from service users in general about feeling abandoned when therapy is suddenly terminated with no warning or ending.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">My own journey of learning more about trauma from reading books by Babette Rothschild and Bessel Van Der Kolk and attending specialist trauma workshops such as those run by Positive Outcomes for Dissociative Disorders (now known as Carolyn Spring). I realised that there were gaps in my core training. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">The realisation that a few years ago, when my therapist had to end sessions with me it was emotionally difficult, even though there were very good, ethical reasons for doing so.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Hearing and reading various comments on counsellors forums which quite frankly have greatly concerned me about the competence of some practising therapists. </span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Like anything I write, I reflected and immediately wished I had included more. I see this piece as work in progress and I have further work to do. I do believe that there is insufficient training in a lot of basic counsellor training and that there is a danger that therapists can unwittingly retraumatise their clients.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I've had some great feedback from other therapists who share similar concerns. I have done some research on whether qualified therapists believe their core training equipped them sufficiently for working with trauma. The findings were as I suspected; many did not feel that their training was enough. I just need to find an idle moment to make contact with some of the professional bodies who accredit training courses and see what their opinions are. Then bring it all together in a compelling article. It will likely take me while!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I don't want to put people off accessing therapy but I do believe that forewarned is forearmed and that as professionals we should be striving to improve our profession and keep it as safe as possible for our service users.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The work I value most is my working directly with my clients but the bigger picture of the profession is also very important to me.</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">(links updated Jan 2024)<br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*two days ago I received an official comment from the Professional Standards Authority on our report, requested on our behalf by Ben Bradshaw MP (my local MP and a member of the Health Select Committee). We are still awaiting as response from Jeremy Hunt.</span></i></div>Amanda Williamson (She/her)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685203130859349559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518731414526924239.post-31435327234279310762016-12-31T15:47:00.002+00:002021-07-06T19:43:26.500+01:00 A framework for New Years Resolutions?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I wonder how many people are setting themselves some resolutions this year? What is the drive behind the choices they make? Are people attempting to make changes because they are critical of themselves? "I'm too (insert word here)", "I'm not (insert word here) enough", "I should/shouldn't be (insert word here)"?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">How about a framework for making resolutions? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">How about basing the choices you make on something fundamentally meaningful?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I propose that Bronnie Ware's famous list of "<a href="http://bronnieware.com/regrets-of-the-dying/" target="_blank">Top 5 Regrets of the Dying</a>" could be a great way of defining resolutions that will ultimately make a difference to the quality of our lives. Bonnie has shared what she discovered as a nurse in palliative care. Her findings, which she has extended into a <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Top-Five-Regrets-Dying-Transformed/dp/1848509995" target="_blank">book on the subject</a>, are as follows:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.</i></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>This was the most common regret of all. When people realise that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people had not honoured even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made.</i></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>It is very important to try and honour at least some of your dreams along the way. From the moment that you lose your health, it is too late. Health brings a freedom very few realise, until they no longer have it.</i></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>2. I wish I didn’t work so hard.</i></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed their children’s youth and their partner’s companionship. Women also spoke of this regret. But as most were from an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence.</i></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>By simplifying your lifestyle and making conscious choices along the way, it is possible to not need the income that you think you do. And by creating more space in your life, you become happier and more open to new opportunities, ones more suited to your new lifestyle.</i></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.</i></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result.</i></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>We cannot control the reactions of others. However, although people may initially react when you change the way you are by speaking honestly, in the end it raises the relationship to a whole new and healthier level. Either that or it releases the unhealthy relationship from your life. Either way, you win.</i></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.</i></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Often they would not truly realise the full benefits of old friends until their dying weeks and it was not always possible to track them down. Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years. There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved. Everyone misses their friends when they are dying.</i></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.</i></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realise until the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. The so-called ‘comfort’ of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives. Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content. When deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again.</i></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 25.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: right; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">(NB This list is taken from <a href="http://bronnieware.com/regrets-of-the-dying/" target="_blank">Bronnie Ware's site</a>)</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">So how might a list of </span></span><span style="line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">resolutions</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> look using this as a </span></span><span style="line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">framework</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">1) Make a list of things you want to do in life and plan roughly when those things can be achieved. Make one of those things happen this year.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">2) Find a better work/life balance. Try a session or two with a counsellor or life coach or read a book on the </span></span><span style="line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">subject. Watch some Alan Watts lectures. <a href="https://vimeo.com/63961985" target="_blank">Here's a great one</a>.</span></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">3) Find a way to be able to express your feelings. Confide in friends. If you struggle to express yourself then try some sessions with a counsellor to learn how to express your feelings. We all have them. We haven't all had the opportunity to learn how to express them.</span></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">4) Dig out your old address book and make contact with people you stopped sending Christmas cards to years ago. Or look at those that you send a quick one-liner to and write an actual letter. Arrange to meet up with at least one old friend this year.</span></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">5) Allow yourself to experience happiness. If guilt or shame are getting in the way then find a therapist to work through those feelings. Everyone is entitled to feel joy. Find something joyful that you can do this year. Join a group, buy yourself something silly but fun. This doesn't have to be expensive. I got a lot of joy out of buying an old copy of </span><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Well-Loved-Tales-Cinderella-Ladybird-Reading/dp/0723281440" style="line-height: 25.200000762939453px;" target="_blank">Ladybird Cinderella</a><span style="line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"> which I absolutely loved as a kid. It was a few pounds on eBay. I still drool over the three frocks she got to wear in that edition.</span></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"><b>Final note</b></span></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 25.200000762939453px;">I do not want to make light of the real struggles that some people face and loss, poverty and ill health as well as discrimination can have a very negative impact on our experience of life. This article is meant to highlight those things that we potentially do have a choice in, although not all of us will be able to make those choices. I remain sensitive to that.</span></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 25.200000762939453px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
Amanda Williamson (She/her)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685203130859349559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518731414526924239.post-61561471759342536842016-12-30T13:55:00.003+00:002024-01-10T08:30:14.658+00:00Top 5 Lifestyle Tips - Things to do Alongside Counselling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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<i>(Originally published 7th August 2013)</i><br />
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Counselling is usually for one hour, once a week, for a set duration. That leaves a lot of time spent outside of the counselling room, with the issues that brought a client there perhaps not changing an awful lot between sessions. So I sometimes advise on what steps a client can take to assist the counselling work and help them achieve their goal of overcoming grief, depression, unwanted patterns of behaviour or relationship issues.<br />
<br />
<b>1. Take up Meditation</b><br />
<br />
The West is catching up with what the East have known for millenia. Meditation is good for the mind, body and soul. Pretty much everybody has heard of meditation but in the past it has had an air of hippiness or religiousness about it, but even the NHS has caught onto the benefits with the Western-friendly concept of mindfulness<a href="http://www.clarejosa.com/featured/meditation-vs-mindfulness-a-rose-by-any-other-name-would-smell-as-sweet/" target="_blank"> (click here for an interesting post exploring the differences/overlaps between meditation and mindfulness)</a>.<br />
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Here is a short video done by a chap called davidji who succinctly and quite persuasively explains some of the benefits of meditation in this short (2:15min) video (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sidpwb-V_LM" target="_blank">click here</a> if it does not show up on your device):<br />
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If you need any more persuasion, try this <a href="http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/28/how-meditation-may-change-the-brain/?_r=0" target="_blank">link</a> from The New York Times regarding research in meditation and how it effects the brain. </div>
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You can start off by trying a guided meditation CD or looking on YouTube for a taster. </div>
<br />
<b>2. Keep a Journal</b><br />
<br />
Keeping a personal journal was a requirement of my training. We had to bring in our journals from time to time to show the tutor that we were writing in them regularly. I really learnt the benefits firsthand of writing down parts of my process. There are a few reasons for why it was so useful:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Expressing frustrations without offending anybody</li>
<li>Consolidating work done in personal therapy (another requirement of my training)</li>
<li>Being able to look back and chart personal growth</li>
<li>For visual learners - reinforcing what you have learnt </li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
Some of my clients keep a journal and write reflectively in between sessions. Sometimes, they might bring some of their thoughts to the next session. There are no rules about what's right or wrong in this respect - each person is different. What I can say though, is that those that keep journals tend to need less sessions overall. This is a hard thing to quantify, but it seems to me that the work is more "efficient" and it keeps us more on track if the client does this work between sessions.<br />
<br />
Making a note of any dreams can create fruitful work too. It is quite common for clients to have a highly symbolic and powerful dream the night before a session.<br />
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<b>3. Take up some aerobic exercise </b><br />
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Exercise raises endorphin levels in the brain. Endorphins contribute to our sense of well being, as well as being natural painkillers. Regular exercise will help you to feel fitter and help you get into shape, to feel healthier and better about yourself. Read this <a href="http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/Pages/Exercise-for-depression.aspx" target="_blank">NHS article</a> for more information on the relationship between exercise and depression. I wouldn't go so far as to say that exercise can cure depression, but it can help alleviate the symptoms by letting the body access it's natural, feel good hormones.<br />
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Aerobic exercise is the kind that gets you out of breath, so walking would need to be to the point that you struggle to speak and get sweaty. Swimming would need to be pushing your limits. Running and strenuous sports such as tennis and squash would count as aerobic exercise, as well as many cardio-based gym classes.<br />
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<b>4. Take up yoga, pilates or martial arts</b><br />
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Although these are also described as exercises, I have separated them from aerobic exercise because the benefits are different (although strenuous yoga or martial arts will yield cardio benefits too). The benefits of these forms of exercise are that they strengthen the mind and body connection. These activities require a lot of learning, so the challenge is mental as well as physical. By doing these kinds of activities you can create the space to make changes in areas of your life where you are struggling. It is easier to break old habits if you harness your brain's ability to reshape it's neuronal networks by contunued learning. Joe Dispenza writes extensively about this in his book <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Evolve-Your-Brain-Science-Changing/dp/0757307655/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1375879724&sr=1-1&keywords=evolve+your+brain" target="_blank">Evolve Your Brain</a>, which I write about <a href="http://amandawilliamsoncounselling.co.uk/2012/02/exeter-counsellor-martial-arts-and.html" target="_blank">here</a>, along with the reasons why I began to learn a martial art.<br />
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<b>5. Pay attention to diet</b><br />
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I am not a nutritionist but I have long been interested in dietary matters. I believe that many people would feel a lot better if they had a dietary overhaul. Sometimes, I enquire about food habits with clients as a poor diet can lead to mood swings, difficulties with sleeping and the worsening of the symptoms of depression, anxiety, the menopause and pre-menstrual tension.<br />
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I have had a few clients give up caffeine, or at least cut down, because caffeine can induce anxiety in some people, and cause insomnia in others. Alcohol can lead to depression and anxiety the day following consumption. Many people do not realise the connection between what they eat and their subsequent mood. A food diary can help.<br />
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An interesting book to read on the subject is <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Optimum-Nutrition-Bible-About-Health/dp/0749925523" target="_blank">Patrick Holford's The Optimum Nutrition Bible</a>. If you can get half way to eating the way he suggests you'll probably feel a whole lot better.<br />
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<b>Amanda Williamson is BACP Registered Senior Accredited private counsellor and coach working in Exeter, Devon. </b><br />
<b><br /></b><b><a href="http://www.amandawilliamsoncounselling.co.uk/2015/01/counselling-in-exeter-.html">r</a></b></div>
Amanda Williamson (She/her)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685203130859349559noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518731414526924239.post-57436956238825124602016-11-10T19:29:00.006+00:002024-01-10T08:38:05.777+00:00Alain de Botton's response to post USA election fallout <div class="_1dwg _1w_m" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; padding: 12px 12px 0px;">
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Whether you were for Trump, Clinton, other or no one, there is no doubt that the recent USA election has had a profound impact on many individuals and on our collective psyche. The post-Brexit fallout was certainly something tangible in my therapy room and post US-election angst is, unsurprisingly, cropping up this week.</div>
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On a general note I have noticed this general state of unease can make us feel incredibly vulnerable and we can go into a more child like state. Our historical psychological tendencies might pop out during these precarious times. This can be seen all over social media with people exchanging either <a href="http://changingminds.org/explanations/behaviors/ta.htm" target="_blank">Critical Parent or Adapted Child</a> responses rather than retaining an adult position. I have found myself drawn into it and it's sometimes a challenge to keep the <a href="http://brainmadesimple.com/frontal-lobe.html" target="_blank">frontal lobe</a> switched on and calm down the <a href="http://brainmadesimple.com/amygdala.html" target="_blank">amygdala</a> before responding to an inflammatory comment.</div>
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Amongst the Facebook responses to the election I saw the following post by Alain de Botton, <a href="http://alaindebotton.com/" target="_blank">author </a>and co-founder of <a href="https://www.theschooloflife.com" target="_blank">The School of Life</a>, which I found some comfort in. I found comfort in his belief that facing reality is the only way to navigate reality, in his assertion that optimism is not always healthy, helpful or appropriate and in his vision for us to engage our frontal lobes and think longterm.</div>
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As a therapist with a distinctly existential edge...actually as a <i>person</i> with a distinctly existential edge, I wanted to share those words and hope that others also find similar, authentic comfort.</div>
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With kind thanks to Alain de Botton for permitting me to share directly on this site.</div>
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<i>It is an enormous and very rare privilege to have lived in the days of good government. Across nations and centuries, few people have ever done so. By a rare bit of luck, certain groups in a few corners of the globe tasted decades of this remarkable, anomalous blessing. They might, foolishly (especially if they travelled little, seldom read history books or had a very high estimation of their own populations) even have started to assume it was a natural or god-given norm. Yet the default state of almost all nations is quite other, it is authoritarianism, bullying, demagoguery, corruption, monopoly, racial segregation and state sponsored aggression and murder. We will not now, it seems, be living in dramatically unusual times; it was the years before that will be remembered as unusual: a daring bet against the facts of our nature. We aren’t sliding into a new age of darkness, we are reverting to a mean. Civilization was always, simply, an unlikely concept.</i></div>
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<i>Those who are afraid are typically reassured by optimism: all will, eventually, be well, the kindly tell them. But we need stiffer and darker counsel. We should explore not what might ideally happen (which leaves us oscillating painfully between hope and despair), but what will happen if the worst comes to pass. We need to make ourselves entirely at home with catastrophe, looking it squarely in the eye - so as not to keep catching glimpses of it here and there and so taking fright anew every time. We stand to see that whatever comes to pass will, in a desperately reduced and pitiful form, still be survivable. A home could be built among the ruins. There might be some sort of life to be led, despite everything. Nothing is ever properly unbearable, not least because we always retain access to the best escape route. The Stoic philosophers of Ancient Rome, those pour souls agitated beyond compare by the the antics of their hysterical, thin-skinned murderous Emperors, were known to calm themselves down by holding up their veins to the light and calling out ‘Freedom!’ - knowing it could, if it came to that, all be over in minutes. </i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;"><br /><i>We shouldn’t be surprised by our fellow citizens. That is what the human animal is really like: very sweet at points from close up, usually generous to small children and the elderly, hard-working, but highly prone to delusion, tribal, offended by strangers, uninclined to rational analysis and with a fondness for slaughter and reckless messianic plans. The elite, routinely derided as ‘out of touch’ are not so on the basis of forgetting how much milk or the rent costs, rather on the basis of forgetting how dark and fragile human nature is.</i></div>
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<i>There’s a natural longing to do something quickly and angrily. There’s an equal longing to give up and hide, the counsel of quietism. Neither feels right; neither endurance nor explosion. The only true avenue is to commit ourselves to years of careful, adroit plotting to bring about a renewal of that now ever more implausible dream: a land governed for a little while longer by a spirit of wisdom and love.</i></div>
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Amanda Williamson (She/her)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685203130859349559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518731414526924239.post-26897307296792421622016-09-07T12:07:00.002+01:002024-01-10T08:45:32.608+00:00Revisiting the Accreditation Confusion<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(8, 45, 80); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #082d50;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Back in February 2015 I wrote an article entitled<a href="http://www.amandawilliamsoncounselling.co.uk/2015/02/accredited-this-accredited-that-psas.html"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(4, 46, 238); color: #551a8b;"> "Accredited This, Accredited That"</span></a> in an attempt to address the confusion in our profession about the use of the word Accreditation to describe counsellors and psychotherapists. We have therapists accredited by the BACP, therapists accredited by the National Counselling Society involving a quite different set of criteria and we have therapists who are on an Accredited Register who may or may not have accredited status. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In that article I questioned the Professional Standards Authority and they offered the following:</span></div>
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<b><i>"The Professional Standards Authority is aware of the potential for confusion in the different uses of the word ‘accredited’. We are working closely with the Accredited Registers to prevent this confusion by providing clear information to the public. This will include a guide to different types and levels of qualifications in health and care, which we will publish in the coming months."</i></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Counsellor and Psychotherapist Accreditation</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (the BACP, at that time the BAC) introduced the concept of <a href="https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=QPHp4iYopYAC&pg=PA555&lpg=PA555&dq=bacp+accreditation+scheme+history&source=bl&ots=hMtXiovLBZ&sig=NdVaNZhrlX0ZzWCG5b1zULmLEV0&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiN7uuTjdXOAhWEK8AKHVDLDVYQ6AEIVjAI#v=onepage&q=bacp%20accreditation%20scheme%20history&f=false"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(4, 46, 238); color: #551a8b;">accredited membership back in 1983 </span></a>and for a number of years it has been used to separate a tier of members who have been through their accreditation application process involving set criteria above and beyond the basic membership. The criteria is currently as follows(1):</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">To apply for BACP accreditation, you must: </span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></i></b></span><b><i>Be a Registered Member of BACP </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></i></b></span><b><i>Have successfully completed a BACP-accredited or other appropriate professional training of at least 450 hours</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></i></b></span><b><i>Have been in practice for at least three years and completed a minimum of 450 supervised practice hours </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></i></b></span><b><i>Have an ongoing supervision arrangement in place for 1.5 hours per month</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></i></b></span><b><i>Be covered by professional indemnity insurance</i></b></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">You will need to complete an in-depth application providing evidence of your training, practice and supervision. This includes a reflective practice section, asking you to write about your understanding of what you do, using examples from your practice. </span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In contrast we have the National Counselling Society (NCS) accredited membership level which requires the following (2):</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Accredited Membership is awarded to a member who has successfully completed one of the following:</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></i></b></span><b><i>A National Counselling Society Accredited Course at Ofqual Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) Level 4 or Ofqual RQF/Framework for Higher Education Qualifications(FHEQ) Level 5 or equivalent</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></i></b></span><b><i>A full qualification in counselling or psychotherapy practice atOfqual RQF Level 4 or Ofqual RQF/FHEQ Level 5 or equivalent which complies with the Society's currently published standards of training</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There is also the facility to apply for membership without these requirements based via a complex committee.</span></div>
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The accredited status of these two professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy is clearly different. Added to that we have had, since 2012, the existence of the PSA's Accredited Registers adding a further type of accreditation into the mix.</span></div>
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The confusion has been the source of ongoing confusion within the profession and not just amongst service users. I have participated and observed many online discussion on counselling forums with what sometimes amounts to petty spats and resentment between BACP and NCS members.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I asked Phil Doré , author of the blog <a href="https://notsobigsociety.wordpress.com/about/" target="_blank">Unsafe Spaces</a> what he thinks about this issue:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i><b><span style="background-color: white;">Looking at all the differences in types of registration and accreditation - I'm a mental health nurse, I have an interest in psychological therapies, I read and write about the different professional bodies - and these differences make </span><span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;">my</span><span style="background-color: white;"> head spin trying to make sense of it. So if it does that to me, what does it do to a lay person? Would a lay person even know that there's a difference between BACP Registered, or BACP Accredited? Or between BACP Accredited and </span><span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; padding-inline-start: 0px;">N</span><span style="background-color: white;">CS Accredited? Let alone know what those differences are. Also it's important to bear in mind that when people are accessing counselling or psychotherapy, they're often experiencing a mental health condition, often at a period of crisis in their life. It's simply not a time when they should be expected to parse information that's as clear as mud to begin with.</span></b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This is pretty much how I feel about it too.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The PSA, BACP and NCS's responses to this issue</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I wrote the following to the PSA:</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">I wrote a blog post in February 2015 where I asked the PSA for their response to the fact that there is a lot of confusion around the word accreditation in the counselling and psychotherapy profession. There is a substantial amount of confusion amongst professionals too would appear from various online discussion groups. </span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">I was told by the PSA back in Feb 2015 that they would be working on clearing up the confusion and I would like to have an update on this as it still an issue. I have been involved in a discussion only today on a counselling practitioner's forum.</span></i></b></div>
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They responded within 5 days:</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for your enquiry regarding usage of the term ‘accreditation’. Since your blog post of February 2015, we have updated one of our Standards, specifically Standard 9e, which states that the organisation must ‘make its education and training standards explicit and easily accessible to the public to enable all those using the register to make informed decisions’. The assessment of this additional Standard started in April 2016 for both new applicants and existing Accredited Registers submitting their annual review of accreditation.</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">When registers are first accredited, we provide them with a communications toolkit with clear guidance on how to share information on their new accreditation status with the public. In this, we ask that they make it clear that it is they, the organisation, which is accredited and not their individual members (which distinguishes it from the BACP’s system of accreditation, for example).</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">We are aware that the terms ‘accredited’ and ‘accreditation’ are both widely used in healthcare as well as many other professional and public sectors. We addressed this in our original formal consultation and it was agreed that this was still the best descriptor for the programme.</span></i></b></div>
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I then wrote the the BACP and the NCS as follows:</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">When I applied for BACP Accredited status 2 years ago I was unsure about whether it was worth it with the ARs in place although decided to proceed for the professional development and personal validation that the process entails i.e. the self-reflective essays and defining of my approach. BACP Accreditation has also been nationally recognised as a mark of a particular level of experience (3yrs post qualifying and 450+ hours)</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">There is much confusion between therapists about the value of BACP Accredited member status. Added to that we have the National Counselling Society's Accredited member status that, as far as I can, requires significantly less experience and written work to apply for. I have seen numerous arguments on therapist forums where some believe that NCS Accred status is the same thing as BACP Accred status. NCS therapists seem to express concern that BACP therapists think that they are somehow better than NCS therapists if they point out the difference in criteria and BACP therapists are perturbed by the perception that their Accredited status is potentially being devalued in some way by it being stated that they are like for like. I can appreciate both view points.</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">This is all secondary though to the main issue, whichever emotions are provoked within (and without) the profession, which is that since the creation of the Accredited Registers we now have a confusing situation around the use of the word accredited which as far as I am aware, is not being addressed by the BACP, NCS or PSA.</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I wrote to the BACP on 1st June and after some chasing up I received an apology for the delay in replying along with a response on 19th July from Helen Coles, Head of Professional Standards:</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">We agree that there is confusion as the same or similar titles are used for professional counsellors/psychotherapists in different contexts by different organisations. To some extent such confusion is inevitable given the small number of words to indicate similar professional statuses. `Accreditation’ and `Registration’ are not protected titles. What this means in practice is that any organisation can use them as a descriptor. As well as BACP and NCS there is UKCP’s registered status (as distinct from being on UKCP’s PSA Register) and NCP and BABCP use their own terminologies. Perhaps I should also point out that counselling is not the only industry (accountancy is another) served by a number of professional bodies.</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">BACP is working more closely with other therapy bodies, including UKCP, which provide fora for addressing such confusions. We also have regular contact with the PSA and were heavily involved in discussions about setting up the Registers. However it is important to recognise that other therapy bodies and the PSA are all independent organisations, making independent choices about the choice of titles to reflect different statuses and in the case of the PSA, using the word ‘accredited’ to describe the Register programme. BACP is always willing to meet other bodies and discuss such issues, while recognising it can influence, but not order.</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">As BACP it isn’t appropriate for us to comment on the quality (or not) of the schemes of other therapy bodies. The requirements for PSA registers are well publicised, enabling people to make their own judgment on quality. We would never encourage members (accredited or otherwise) to imply that members of some other professional counselling/psychotherapy bodies are of a different standard, but that does not negate our pride in our Accredited Members.</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">We are proud of the quality of BACP’s Accredited members and the BACP Accreditation scheme. A well-established, longstanding scheme, its quality is recognised by therapists, government, the NHS, employee assistance programmes and a wide range of counselling employers. The requirements of the scheme are well publicised, as is guidance on making applications, allowing all to form their own judgment about its worth. The demand for accreditation by counsellors and psychotherapists is steady. Because of this wide recognition as a quality kitemark we would be reluctant to have no current plans to change the title.</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I wrote to the NCS somewhat later on 1st August and received a response from their interim CEO, Jenny Parker on 16th August:</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for your email and apologies for the delay getting back to you. The Society is restructuring our membership grades at the moment, and the standards of registration and accreditation will change in 2017. Accordingly there is little point in our answering your queries until these changes have taken effect.</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is a new and interesting development and I do wonder whether they will be looking to bring their level of accredited status more in line with the requirements of the BACP.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Further opinions</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #551a8b; text-decoration: underline;">Roslyn Byfield</span>, a BACP Accredited counsellor working in Central London, also has concerns around the use of the word accreditation in the profession:</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">The BACP Ethical Framework is clear that adherents must not misrepresent themselves or their qualifications - a no-brainer, you could think, as this would constitute dishonesty, the opposite of what counselling and therapy stand for.</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">But unintentionally or otherwise, this could be happening due to widespread confusion about qualifications terminology. It could be argued that professional and standards bodies have been short-sighted in not anticipating the confusion which could arise between being an accredited member of an organisation and being on an accredited register (but not personally accredited). Since it’s well-known that there is still public confusion as to the roles of and differences between a psychotherapist, psychologist and psychiatrist, it follows that there is potential for more confusion when it comes down to the detail of levels of qualification.</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Recent exchanges on counselling forums have shown that some practitioners are suggesting they are ‘accredited’ when, in fact, some are on the BACP register (accredited by the Professional Standards Authority) as a registrant or they are ‘accredited’ by the relatively new body, the National Counselling Society, the requirements of which are not comparable with BACP accreditation. Understandably, those who have gone through the rigours of BACP accreditation do not wish their qualification to be confused with one which is not comparable in terms of work, learning and reflection required. In addition some Senior Accredited BACP practitioners are aggrieved that the register icons, which since March 2016 must be included in practitioners’ websites and literature, do not include one for the senior accredited category (the two are for BACP registered and BACP registered and accredited).</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">This situation could easily result in some practitioners telling clients and potential employers that they are ‘accredited’, when in fact that is not the BACP accreditation which would be assumed by many.</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">To make the provisions of the Ethical Framework meaningful, BACP and other relevant organisations including the NCS should take steps to clarify this situation and issue advice to members and the public to prevent such confusion arising. BACP could also produce a third icon, which Senior Accredited practitioners could use in their marketing materials. If this situation continues unaddressed, it risks bringing the Ethical Framework and the profession into disrepute.</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And finally, I requested some input from peer <a href="https://headandheart.info/about/"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(4, 46, 238); color: #551a8b;">Patrick Killeen</span></a>, a philosopher trained in counselling skills who has <a href="http://www.amandawilliamsoncounselling.co.uk/2015/07/the-regulation-debate-psas-accredited.html"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(4, 46, 238); color: #551a8b;">contributed to this blog before.</span></a></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">The British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) has a strange quirk in the way it uses the word “accredited” that can be summed up in one sentence. You don’t have to be an “Accredited Member” of the BACP to be an accredited member of the BACP. This anomaly stems from the difference between the standard English meaning of “accredited” and the jargonistic way that word is used within the BACP.</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">According to Google “accredit” means to “give authority or sanction to (someone or something) when recognized standards have been met”. The BACP have a register of counsellors and psychotherapists which they say is “a public record of therapists who have met our standards for registration” [http://www.bacpregister.org.uk]. So by including someone on their register the BACP are literally accrediting them.</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>However, they don’t include Registered Membership in their so-call “accreditation” programme, instead they refer only to “Accredited Membership” and “Senior Accredited Membership”. They clarify the situation by saying “BACP accreditation is a quality standard for the mature, experienced practitioner who can demonstrate high standards of competent and ethical practice” (my emphasis) [</i></b><a href="http://www.bacp.co.uk/accreditation/Individual%20Practitioners"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(4, 46, 238); color: #551a8b;"><b><i>http://www.bacp.co.uk/accreditation/Individual%20Practitioners</i></b></span></a><b><i>]. So “Registered Membership” accredits all counsellors including the newly qualified, while “Accredited Membership” and “Senior Accredited Membership” only accredits experienced counsellors.</i></b></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">This idiosyncratic use of the word “accredit” has become an issue recently because the BACP’s register has itself been accredited by another organisations, the Professional Standards Authority (PSA), and so anyone on the BACP register can now say that they are a member of the BACP’s Accredited Register, even though they may not be an Accredited Member of the BACP. A state of affairs that some might find more than a little confusing (even though the underlying situation is quite straight forward: registered members are accredited by the BACP and the BACP’s register is in turn accredited by the PSA). </span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">The BACP could clear this up by renaming the membership categories to make their use of the word “accredited” more consistent with standard English, for example by renaming “Accredited Member” as “Accredited Experienced Member”; but that would stir up a lot of trouble among their members. For years there has been a strong cultural expectation within the BACP to become an “Accredited Member” as soon as possible after joining. They never had a rule saying you must do so, but by withholding the word “accredited” and the public acknowledgement that goes with it they were able to get a high uptake of their “accreditation” scheme without the messy business of making and enforcing official rules. There’s no way for the BACP to resolve the “accreditation” ambiguity without admitting explicitly that (although it is worth it for its own sake) members don’t, and never did, actually have to become “Accredited Members”.</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">If you have any comments regarding this please comment below. These things get discussed on Twitter and Facebook forums and the </span>arguments<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> therefore get </span>strewn<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> about. The organisations mentioned </span>above<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> will read the comments here so please comment here if you want to be heard.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(7, 55, 99); color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;">(1) <a href="http://www.bacp.co.uk/accreditation/Individual%20Practitioners/"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(4, 46, 238); color: #551a8b;">http://www.bacp.co.uk/accreditation/Individual%20Practitioners/</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-size: large;">(2) http://www.nationalcounsellingsociety.org/join/criteria/levels/ </span></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(7, 55, 99); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #073763;"><span><span style="font-size: large;">(NB This link no longer work as checked on January 2024)</span></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(7, 55, 99); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #073763;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
Amanda Williamson (She/her)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685203130859349559noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518731414526924239.post-84253488646696287832016-08-22T23:02:00.004+01:002024-01-10T08:50:10.102+00:00The Ongoing Battle of Protecting Clients from Struck off Therapists<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Someone recently sent me an email following a series of Tweets I made requesting that Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust stop signposting to Palace Gate Counselling Service, an Exeter based counselling agency <a href="https://notsobigsociety.wordpress.com/2014/05/15/shocking-litany-of-abuse-by-exeter-counselling-cult-30-allegations-found-proved/" target="_blank">struck off by the BACP</a>. </span><span style="color: #073763; font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">The email contained the following words:</span><div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Do you ever feel like it's an ongoing battle for an appreciation of the seriousness of what you and others endure? Without people like you persevering and getting the message out there publicly where would things be?"</span></i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Well yes. It absolutely feels like an ongoing battle. I first tried to ensure that the NHS stopped signposting patients to the Palace Gate Service over two years ago via my local Medical Committee as it had been brought to my attention that various NHS locations were continuing to signpost to Palace Gate Counselling. On their advice I sent the following email to the British Medical Association in October 2014:</span></span><br />
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471897455477_7866" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>I am writing to you at the suggestion of Devon Local Medical Committee who felt unable to assist me. They were originally considering publishing an article for their newsletter after I raised concerned about local GP surgeries continuing to refer NHS patients to an Exeter based counselling agency who had BACP membership removed twice for unethical behaviour under two separate complaints. They decided that it was not the correct forum and suggested I try higher up.</b></span></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>I heard just a few weeks ago that ISCA Medical Practice in Exeter were still sending clients to the struck off agency. My own (GP) practice manager had no awareness of the issues. Yet Devon Primary Care Trust had sent this message to their Depression and Anxiety Service staff:</b></span></i></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471897455477_7883" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>No further signposting or referrals to Palace Gate Counselling Services</b></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #073763;"><br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;" /></span></i><i><span style="color: #073763;">We would like to inform all staff that counselling services run by Palace Gate Counselling have recently been investigated by the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) due to alleged improprieties.</span></i></span></b></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471897455477_7881" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>The BACP Professional Conduct Committee found that the company were in breach of their ethical framework on thirty counts. This has resulted in their membership of the BACP being withdrawn.<br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;" />The findings of the report can be found here.<br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;" />This is a serious situation and as a result the Trust cannot support signposting or referral of people accessing our service to Palace Gate Counselling. This will cease with immediate effect.<br style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;" />Please note that this notice does not include CRUSE who are also based at Palace Gate.</b></span></i></span></div>
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</blockquote>
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<span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Surely somebody is responsible for ensuring that GP's stop sending clients for therapy with therapists that have no accountability and have been removed from a professional register (twice)? </b></span></i></span></div>
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<div class="yiv6949405762MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471897455477_7885" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; padding-inline-start: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471897455477_7884" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b style="font-style: italic;">I have done pretty much everything in my power to try and highlight this situation. I am campaigning for the statutory regulation of counselling and psychotherapy which won't happen for years, if ever. In the meantime we have a situation where many NHS patients are seeking counselling outside of the NHS. The NHS choices page on counselling does not mention to patients that counselling is unregulated and that the onus is on them to check the credentials of their therapist. I believe that it is unethical to promote counselling as a treatment but not advise patients that they could end up seeing somebody who is unqualified and unregulated. I believe it to be irresponsible to have GPs refer patients to a service that has been proven to act unethically.</b>(1)</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>I would very much appreciate somebody looking into this matter.</b></span></i></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></i></span>
<span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I received the following response:</span></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471897455477_11508" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;">As you may know, the BMA is a professional association and trade union for doctors in the UK. We are neither a clinical nor regulatory body, and as such we don't have a role in advising practices about local referral policies. </span><br clear="none" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;" /><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471897455477_11509" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;">However you might like to contact NHS England for further advice - they could direct you to the relevant local Area Team. Similarly, the local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) would be another useful source of information regarding local referral policy in your area:</span><br clear="none" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;" /><br clear="none" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;">NHS England</span></span><span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;">: Tel: 0300 311 22 33; Web: </span><span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;">http://www.england.nhs.uk/</span><br clear="none" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;" /><br clear="none" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;">CCGs</span></span></span></b></i></div>
<ul id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471897455477_11511" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 2px 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px; padding: 0px 40px 0px 18pt;" type="disc">
<li id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471897455477_11510" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;"><i><b><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;">NHS Northern, Eastern and Western Devon CCG: Tel: </span><span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;">01392 205 205;</span><span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;">Web</span><span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;">:</span><span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;">http://www.newdevonccg.nhs.uk/</span></span></b></i></li>
</ul>
<ul id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471897455477_11525" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 2px 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px; padding: 0px 40px 0px 18pt;" type="disc">
<li id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471897455477_11524" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;"><i><b><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;">NHS South Devon And Torbay CCG:</span><span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;">Tel: </span><span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;">01803 652500; Web: </span><span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;">http://www.southdevonandtorbayccg.nhs.uk/Pages/default.aspx</span></span></b></i></li>
</ul>
<i><b><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br clear="none" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;" /><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471897455477_11512" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;">Finally, you could raise your more general concerns about the way in which the counselling profession is regulated with the Government, and your local MP might be a good starting point for this. </span><br clear="none" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;" /><br clear="none" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;" /><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471897455477_11518" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;">While we are unable to advise directly, I hope this information is helpful. </span></span></b></i><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; padding-inline-start: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; padding-inline-start: 0px;">As it happens I had already written the same email to NHS England who responded as follows:</span></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; color: #1f497d; padding-inline-start: 0px;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Thank you for your email to NHS England.</span></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; color: #1f497d; padding-inline-start: 0px;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I advise that NHS counselling services are not commissioned by NHS England, rather they are commissioned by local Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs). If you wanted to raise a concern about counselling services commissioned by the NHS in your local area, I would recommend that you contact your local CCG NHS Northern, Eastern and Western Devon CCG.</span></b></i></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471897455477_7851" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; color: #1f497d; padding-inline-start: 0px;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">However, I also understand that you are concerned about GPs in your area referring patients for private counselling services that both you and the BACP have considered to be substandard. I have highlighted your concerns with the Primary Care Commissioning team at your local NHS England Area Team, as they are responsible for commissioning GP services in your local area.</span></b></i></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471897455477_7855" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; color: #1f497d; padding-inline-start: 0px;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Regarding professional regulation, you may find this document </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">(now broken link Jan 24)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> produced by the Law Commission useful. I would recommend that you discuss any suggestions regarding changes to health and social care legislation with the Department of Health, or highlight your concerns with the </span><a href="http://www.professionalstandards.org.uk/" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471897455477_7857" rel="nofollow" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; color: purple; font-size: x-large; margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding-inline-start: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">Professional Standards Authority</a><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></span></b></i></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471897455477_8160" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; color: #1f497d; padding-inline-start: 0px;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I hope that this information is useful to you.</span></b></i></span></div>
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I followed the advice within and sent the same details to my local Clinical Commissioning Group who responded thus:</span><br />
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471897455477_8632" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; color: #1f497d; padding-inline-start: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Thank you for your email, as GP’s within Devon are commissioning by NHS England I have forwarded your email to their Local Area Team and they should be in contact with you directly.</b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;"><span style="color: #1f497d;">I didn't hear anything </span><span style="color: #1f497d;">following</span><span style="color: #1f497d;"> this. Fast forward some 20 months to June 2016 and it is brought to my attention by a journalist that NHS Torbay and South Devon Trust have continued to signpost patients to Palace Gate Counselling Service via an online document which was updated only a month before. So I sent a further email to my local Clinical </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;">Commissioning Group:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>You sent me this message around 18 months ago and I have still not been contacted by anyone regarding this matter. I have today been notified by a journalist that a Devon NHS trust is still advertising the services of the counselling agency on an online resource updated just a few months ago. Basically, the NHS is endorsing a proven unsafe counselling agency. I am not prepared to let this go on.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And guess what? I received no response. Which is why I eventually Tweeted as Tweeting does seem to be an effective way of getting organisations to listen. Lo and behold, my Tweet led to the following email being sent to me by the department at NHS Torbay and South Devon Trust responsible for the leaflet in question the day after they saw my Tweet:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>One of my colleagues has forwarded me your message on Twitter regarding Palace Gate Counselling Service. As BACP have found the service guilty of serious professional misconduct we have now removed details about it from our information. We weren’t unfortunately aware of this before, otherwise we would have removed the details earlier.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So finally, I have managed to get yet another source of referrals to this struck off agency removed. I have also had to contact the Citizens Advice Bureau and a local Church to ask them to stop referring, even though they had both received <a href="https://notsobigsociety.wordpress.com/2014/06/10/concerned-counsellors-raise-alarm-over-palace-gate/" target="_blank">a statement from a large group of local counsellors.</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv7252034372MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471897455477_19253" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And yet despite all this the organisation continues to operate. The counsellors working there receive their supervision from the two directors who's behaviour got the agency struck off. Clapham and Talbott carry on practising. They can continue to sing their own praises and attract clients via the Palace Gate Counselling Service Twitter and Facebook pages. This is totally legal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Why do I have to work so hard at making sure that the NHS are not signposting patients to this struck off service? Why do I bother? I bother because I have a duty of care. I bother because I receive messages from alarmed people who see me as a point of contact, as <i>the</i> person who will alert the appropriate organisations. On occasion I have become quite resentful that people don't seem to be prepared to do it themselves but would rather send me an email and leave it with me to sort out. What about other people's duty of care? What about the NHS' duty of care? Why do I feel like I am shouting into the void much of the time? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Even after all this and Tweets being sent direct to Exeter Sessional GPs they continue to list Palace Gate Counselling Service in their online resource pack.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Should I give up? Is it a waste of time? And let's not forget that I have received various legal threats from the directors of Palace Gate Counselling that I will be sued if I go public with the complaints.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And so we return to the words sent to me recently:</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Do you ever feel like it's an ongoing battle for an appreciation of the seriousness of what you and others endure? Without people like you persevering and getting the message out there publicly where would things be?"</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Without people like me nothing would change and many more people would be at risk of the abusive behaviour that I and others have challenged. Sometimes I really want to give up. Except I take the safety of clients in therapy very seriously. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">(1) I am pleased to say that the <a href="http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/counselling/pages/introduction.aspx" target="_blank">NHS web page on counselling </a>does now mention the Professional Standards Authority Accredited Registers. I do have huge doubts about the efficacy of the AR's as a way of protecting clients/patients but it is a step in the right direction.</span></div>
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</div>Amanda Williamson (She/her)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685203130859349559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518731414526924239.post-76689348879695660842016-08-17T13:06:00.005+01:002024-01-10T09:48:48.297+00:00The Use of Cannabis Extract in Treating Anxiety<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471373032059_24482" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; padding-inline-start: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
<i><span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 27.6px;">I was sent the following press release which I found </span></span><span style="line-height: 27.6px;">interesting</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 27.6px;"> and thought was relevant to this blog. It talks about the therapeutic use of the cannabis extract CBD (cannabidiol) for treating anxiety. </span></span></span></span><span style="line-height: 27.6px;">Unfortunately, most of today's street-available cannabis tends to be hydroponically grown Skunk weed which has a proportionately lower amount of CBD (the calming chemical) than THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) which </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/jul/16/cannabis-paranoia-psychoactive-thc-mood" style="line-height: 27.6px;" target="_blank">can induce anxiety and paranoia</a><span style="line-height: 27.6px;">. So self-medicating might not be the answer in this case. There is also an interesting article on <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/nov/16/new-strain-cannabis-treat-psychosis-schizophrenia-gw-pharmaceuticals-david-potter" target="_blank">using cannabis to treat psychosis here</a>.</span></i></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471373032059_24481" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-weight: 700; padding-inline-start: 0px;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471373032059_24480" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px; padding-inline-start: 0px;">CANNABIS EXTRACT TURNS ANY FOOD INTO COMFORT FOOD: NATURAL EXTRACT RELIEVES ANXIETY</span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471373032059_24476" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-weight: 700; padding-inline-start: 0px;">- Natural cannabis extract CBD tackles symptoms of panic and anxiety</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471373032059_24474" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-weight: 700; padding-inline-start: 0px;">- One in three adults in UK will suffer from anxiety at some point</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471373032059_24472" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px; padding-inline-start: 0px;">An entirely natural food supplement derived from the hemp plant could help thousands of people suffering from anxiety while reducing the need for medication. Cannabidiol (or CBD) is a naturally occurring extract produced from the cannabis plant which has been associated with a number of health benefits and has been found to have a positive effect on the symptoms of anxiety. </span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471373032059_24478" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px; padding-inline-start: 0px;">Numerous scientific studies have shown the beneficial effects of hemp extract on people suffering from anxiety. Anxiety is one of the most common neurotic disorders and affects a huge number of people every day. Around a third of people will experience episodes of anxiety or panic attacks at one point in their lives, while one in ten will be affected by severe symptoms.</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471373032059_24488" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px; padding-inline-start: 0px;">Studies have shown that CBD extracts play an important role in reducing anxiety. In a double-blind experiment carried out at the University of São Paulo, the extract was given to a randomized group of people preparing for a public speaking event. Compared to the control group, those given CBD were found to feel significantly less anxious and more comfortable both in the run up to the event and during. They also reported thinking more clearly than the control group.[1]</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px; padding-inline-start: 0px;">Other studies using neuroimaging have shown that CBD can affect the limbic and paralimbic regions of the brain including the amygdala, which play a role in the fear response. When exposed to stressful situations, subjects who had been given CBD showed less activity in these parts of the brain and felt less anxiety.[2]</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px; padding-inline-start: 0px;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2518731414526924239" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; color: #196ad4; margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding-inline-start: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;"><br /></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px; padding-inline-start: 0px;">Neurologist Professor Mike Barnes said: “Anxiety is an issue that affects millions of people every day and CBD can have a real, positive impact on their lives. There is a great deal of scientific literature on Cannabidiol but it’s only in the past few years that we’ve begun to fully realise the potential. Much like the way Dopamine has revolutionised the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease, I am sure the role of Cannabis extracts will expand into modern medical practice. CBD is now credible and continues to surprise the scientific community. This is a very exciting time for Cannabis research and whilst international studies are ongoing, there is strong evidence to support the treatment of other major issues such as Epilepsy and PTSD. I believe we will see CBD becoming much more widely accepted as its beneficial properties are better understood.”</span><br />
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471373032059_24505" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px; padding-inline-start: 0px;">“There are so many misconceptions around this market and we’re a long way behind other places like the US where hemp extract has a mainstream acceptance.” said Tom Rowland, co-founder of CBD Oils UK. “Every week, we hear from customers that our products have improved their wellbeing. Whilst we would not advocate CBD as an alternative to professional advice, there is a growing weight of scientific evidence to support its use.”</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px; padding-inline-start: 0px;">It is estimated that the global CBD industry is already worth around $200million and the UK market is expanding rapidly. CBD Oils UK is the first company to offer high strength 40% (4,000mg) oil which adheres to strict UK regulations.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px; padding-inline-start: 0px;">Tom added: “Some people may be concerned because the products are derived from cannabis but CBD does not have psychoactive properties and is entirely safe. It’s a fast growing market and we are proud of our products. The feedback from our customers has been overwhelming.”</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px; padding-inline-start: 0px;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471373032059_27915" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; padding-inline-start: 0px;">Visit </span><a href="http://www.cbdoilsuk.com/" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471373032059_27906" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; color: purple; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding-inline-start: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471373032059_27905" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-size: 10pt; padding-inline-start: 0px;">www.cbdoilsuk.com</span></a><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471373032059_27916" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; padding-inline-start: 0px;"> for more details.</span><br /><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471373032059_24508" style="color: purple; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px;"></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2518731414526924239" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471373032059_27938" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; color: #196ad4; margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding-inline-start: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471373032059_27937" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-size: 10pt; padding-inline-start: 0px;">[1]</span></a> <span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471373032059_24460" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-size: 8pt; padding-inline-start: 0px;">Cannabidiol Reduces The Anxiety Induced By Simulated Public Speaking In Treatment-Naïve Social Phobia Patients”</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471373032059_24465" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-size: 8pt; padding-inline-start: 0px;">MM Bergamaschi, Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, SP, Brazil.</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471373032059_27934" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-size: 8pt; padding-inline-start: 0px;">Neuropsychopharmacology, May 2011</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2518731414526924239" name="_ftn2" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; color: #196ad4; margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding-inline-start: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2518731414526924239" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; color: #196ad4; margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding-inline-start: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-size: 10pt; padding-inline-start: 0px;">[2]</span></a> <span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471373032059_24468" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-size: 8pt; padding-inline-start: 0px;">“Distinct effects of {delta}9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol on neural activation during emotional processing”</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471373032059_27935" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-size: 8pt; padding-inline-start: 0px;">P Fusar-Poli, Neuroimaging Section, Division of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, London</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-size: 8pt; padding-inline-start: 0px;">Archives of General Psychiatry, January 2009</span><br />
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Amanda Williamson (She/her)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685203130859349559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518731414526924239.post-15030422928610365372016-08-16T18:07:00.001+01:002024-01-10T09:59:56.327+00:00The Palace Gate Counselling Scandal - Why it was right to blow the whistle<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
2 years ago today The Mail on Sunday <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2726594/Struck-shamed-groping-psychotherapist-free-treat-women-today-Victims-said-asked-undress-lack-regulation-means-firm-abusing-trust-operating.html" target="_blank">published an article</a> exposing the scandal of the Palace Gate Counselling Service and the owner John Clapham's abusive behaviour as a therapist and owner of the service and that of his colleague/supervisee/employee/client Lindsey Talbott, whom he promoted to Director of the service in the midst of the crisis. </div>
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Tina and I braced ourselves for the backlash and the ridicule and more worryingly, the impact on our private practice. We also risked losing our homes as we were threatened with being sued.</div>
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2 years on I can gladly say that I wholeheartedly stand by the decision to expose this abuse and to protect others from enduring likewise.</div>
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Sadly, Palace gate Counselling, Clapham and Talbott are still operating. I'm happy to say that most of the referral sources are now obsolete. However, NHS Torbay Trust still signpost to the service, which is ridiculous and quite disturbing.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">I am also pleased to say that the push for regulation is gaining momentum (thanks to joining forces with </span>Philip Doré<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">) and our paper on regulation via the campaign, 'Unsafe Spaces' and the Palace Gate case </span><a href="https://notsobigsociety.wordpress.com/?s=report" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" target="_blank">were referred to in Parliament</a>.</div>
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I have also gained a bit of a niche speciality in working with people who have had abusive experiences in therapy. Some have found me via that article which gave them hope that they would believed and that I would get it. It is a shame that we live in a world where this niche area is required but sadly, without regulation, far too much of this goes on and remains in the shadows.</div>
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It's pretty much behind me but I must confess that the behaviour of Talbott in particular got under my skin. She knows what he did. She knows it was wrong. But chose to make mine and Tina's life as hellish as she possibly could and tell the world that we were liars. Very scary. And she's a therapist...out there...as is he...</div>
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The good news is that it wasn't only the BACP that validated our truth; the Catholic Church cancelled Clapham's imminent ordainment, the Rosen Method bodywork organisation cancelled his internship and the police, although unable to prosecute, were very validating. </div>
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And finally, my business is thriving and I have made this a viable and fulfilling career. As is Tina's. Some potential clients might read about my experience and be put off. However, many have stated that it is because of my stance and experiences that they chose me.</div>
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Amanda Williamson (She/her)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685203130859349559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518731414526924239.post-9528120700093685792016-08-08T18:29:00.003+01:002024-01-10T10:00:40.174+00:00For therapists; Compete or Collaborate? by Cathy Towers<div style="border: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; line-height: 3.2rem; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">This has been reblogged with kind permission from a blog by <a href="http://www.cathytowers.co.uk/" target="_blank">Cathy Towers</a> published on LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/compete-collaborate-cathy-towers-mbacp-senior-accred?" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/compete-collaborate-cathy-towers-mbacp-senior-accred?</a></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is hard enough promoting yourself as a therapist ... then you see all the other therapists. Traditional marketing can make us look at all others as competition, but I think that causes huge stress for therapists who are, by the nature of the healing work they do, more inclined to <em style="border: 0px; font-family: Georgia, "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">creating</strong> <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">relationships than competing.</strong></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have had people interested in renting a room at my clinic then saying "oh, you already have a reflexologist/counsellor/life coach so we would be in competition". I believe this is a thought pattern which hinders us in the business of private practice. Our professions are already high up on the scale of isolated working, why add to that? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Look around the area you live: similar types of business congregate in the same street or industrial park. Restaurants cluster together, car sales cluster together. Yet they are in competition - so how does that work? Well that area of town gets known for cars, so it is the place that everyone goes to when they want a car. By having their sales units close together, they make it easy for the customer to look around, rather than give up and stick with what they have. It encourages a sale as the customer has choice. The decision is <em style="border: 0px; font-family: Georgia, "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">which car</em> is right for me rather than <em style="border: 0px; font-family: Georgia, "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">shall I have a car or not?</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I believe that together we therapists are stronger and better. I like to take things a step further - cooperate, be helpful to each other, share knowledge and expertise generously and it comes back to you. Collaboration is a professional way forward. My peer group has provided advice, supervision, cross-referrals, recommendations, ideas, emergency back-up... in fact a whole host of practical and emotional help.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The team at my clinic have also worked together at conferences, fairs, talks, written articles and peer-led learning. This also presents us as clearly client-focused, as we ensure that the right referral gets to the right person. Result? Happier client, better word-of-mouth reputation for the group as a whole.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Look kindly at your colleagues. I feel blessed to have such excellent 'competition'. Their support helps me raise my game, act with integrity and also creates a safety net for clients. </span></div>
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Amanda Williamson (She/her)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685203130859349559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518731414526924239.post-31443691939203456872016-05-04T08:52:00.003+01:002024-01-10T12:42:53.649+00:00Regulation of Counselling and Psychotherapy in the UK - Why we need it<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #073763;">[PLEASE NOTE THAT A COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTER THIS POST WAS WRITTEN OUR <a href="https://notsobigsociety.wordpress.com/2016/07/05/unsafe-spaces-report-discussed-in-parliament/" target="_blank">UNSAFE SPACES REPORT WAS DISCUSSED IN PARLIAMENT.</a>]</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #073763;">Followers of my blog will be aware that I have been campaigning for the statutory regulation of counselling and psychotherapy in the UK. Click on my </span><a href="http://www.amandawilliamsoncounselling.co.uk/p/resources.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;">articles link</span></a><span style="color: #073763;"> and you will see a number of posts under the heading "Regulation Issues".</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;">Fellow blogger </span><span style="color: #0b5394;">Phil Dore</span><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"> is the author of the blog </span><a href="https://notsobigsociety.wordpress.com/about/" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">unsafespaces.com</span></a><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;">. I made contact with Phil in 2013 whilst I was in the midst of the traumatic ordeal of raising a complaint about the therapist/clinical supervisor I had whilst in training, who abused his position of power with myself and several other counsellors who worked under him</span><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;">. I was relieved that somebody else cared so passionately about making counselling and psychotherapy a safer space and who shared my concern that being struck off a professional body is not enough to stop unsafe practitioners from </span><span style="color: #073763;">continuing their unsafe practice unimpeded.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Since going public with my experience I have received a steady stream of enquiries from people who have been abused by their therapist. The current complaints procedures are expensive, daunting, stressful and pretty much useless.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In campaigning for statutory regulation I have approached my local MP Ben Bradshaw who has been very helpful, insofar as he is able. In a letter to Jeremy Hunt, Ben was told: </span></span><br />
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<b id="yiv0809400235yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1461953406319_33060" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;"><i id="yiv0809400235yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1461953406319_33061" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;">“We are not ruling out introducing further compulsory statutory regulation. However any decision to extend… must be based on a solid body of evidence demonstrating a level of risk to the public that warrants the costs imposed…”</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Phil Dore and I decided to </span>work<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span>together<span style="font-family: inherit;"> on this and have written the </span>following<span style="font-family: inherit;"> paper. We have drawn upon existing research and research of our own to demonstrate that there is a need for statutory regulation.</span></span><br />
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;">Executive Summary </span></strong></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;">An increasing number of people in the UK, many of whom are vulnerable, are accessing counselling or psychotherapy services. However, almost uniquely among mental health professionals, neither counselling nor psychotherapy are subject to a statutory regulator, and neither the terms “counsellor” nor “psychotherapist” are protected titles. Voluntary registers exist, such as the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and the UK Council for Psychotherapy, which have been granted Accredited Register status by the Professional Standards Authority. However, if such registers strike off a practitioner for misconduct, there is no legal requirement for this individual to stop practising.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;">To find out how many counsellors and psychotherapists continue to practice after being struck off, withdrawal of membership notices were downloaded from the BACP and UKCP websites for a ten year period. Internet searches were then completed to look for business websites for these individuals advertising counselling or psychotherapy services. From these searches, nearly one in four of those struck off during this period by the BACP or UKCP appeared to be still practising. For the UKCP in the latter five years of this time period, every single one of those struck off was continuing to advertise their services as psychotherapists. These included individuals struck off for very serious allegations, including serious sexual misconduct.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;">A case study is examined of Palace Gate Counselling Service in Exeter. This company was struck off by the BACP in 2014 after the director was found to have committed serious sexual misconduct against two women, a counsellor and a trainee counsellor at the firm who he was seeing for private therapy sessions. In addition, the director and his co-director (both of whom practice as counsellors and clinical supervisors for counselling trainees) were found to have conducted a sustained campaign of harassment and defamation against the two women after they complained. However, the company remained in business, and both individuals remained in their posts as directors and counsellors.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;">The case was the subject of media attention, including in the Health section of the Mail on Sunday, and a sustained effort was made by local activists to ask organisations not to signpost people to Palace Gate. Despite these efforts Palace Gate continued to be publicised by the NHS, churches and the voluntary sector. The two individuals continue to practice counselling at Palace Gate and in private practice to this day.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;">From this evidence, it is clear that, from a safeguarding perspective, the current system of accredited registration is a complete failure. It is simply not effective at removing rogue practitioners from the counselling and psychotherapy professions. This safeguarding failure is putting vulnerable people in danger of serious abuse, including sexual abuse.</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Opponents of regulation suggest that counselling and psychotherapy are difficult to define, and that if “counsellor” and “psychotherapist” became protected titles, practitioners could avoid regulation by simply changing their job titles. To test this, we surveyed 151 people to ask which professional titles they would look for and accept a service from when seeking treatment for a mental health problem. 64.93% said they would look for a psychotherapist and 60.43% would look for a counsellor. By comparison 50% would look for a cognitive-behavioural therapist and 24.41% would look for a psychoanalyst. For a life coach, this number dropped to 7.09%. This suggests that certain other titles may need to be protected alongside “counsellor” and “psychotherapist”, but also that this need not be an infinite number of titles to have an impact.</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />The protection of titles would be made more robust if combined with a restriction that only professionals with a protected title can offer psychological therapies for mental disorder. A survey of 50 adverts for counsellors and psychotherapists found that every one of them advertised their services as being for mental disorder. These often included serious and debilitating conditions such as eating disorders, bipolar disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />If the professional titles were protected, and only professionals with protected titles were permitted to offer psychological therapies for mental disorder, a practitioner could indeed avoid regulation by using a different title and not suggesting that they can treat mental disorder. However, these two surveys suggest that if they were to do so, they would incur a serious loss of business and they may find this to be not commercially viable.</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />It is therefore recommended that:</span></div>
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<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;">“Counsellor” and “psychotherapist” should become protected titles and these titles should be subject to a statutory regulator.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 1.7; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;">Consideration should be given to also protecting certain other titles, for example “cognitive-behavioural therapist” or “psychoanalyst”.</span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;">The provision of psychological therapies for mental disorder should be restricted to professionals who have a protected title and are subject to a statutory regulator.</span></li>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> <a href="https://notsobigsociety.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/unsafe-spaces-report-may-2016.pdf" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Unsafe Spaces May 2016">Download the full report here</a></span></h1>
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Amanda Williamson (She/her)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685203130859349559noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518731414526924239.post-53361619750517415112016-04-06T13:05:00.001+01:002024-01-10T10:02:38.160+00:00When Someone Strays by Duncan E. Stafford <div style="border: 0px; color: #33473d; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<i>This post about affairs in monogamous relationships is published with the kind permission of Cambridge based BACP Accredited therapist <a href="https://therapyplace.org/about" target="_blank">Duncan E. Stafford</a> and taken from his blog <a href="http://therapy-place.org/2016/04/02/when-someone-strays/" target="_blank">http://therapy-place.org/2016/04/02/when-someone-strays/</a> which I highly recommend.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawQVa-b1sIGNaWvhteIYzTmviY39prvlzH6ZiI_I8U4vesh48-2_6_l2qJIL0fxXu_hX_XORInjOhMenHydwxgaBsNjRDRCsiV_bnmpZrW8Ippfyfv8i3zF59ie1_AIDjaW_YuLNPaNuP/s1600/blog200couple.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawQVa-b1sIGNaWvhteIYzTmviY39prvlzH6ZiI_I8U4vesh48-2_6_l2qJIL0fxXu_hX_XORInjOhMenHydwxgaBsNjRDRCsiV_bnmpZrW8Ippfyfv8i3zF59ie1_AIDjaW_YuLNPaNuP/s320/blog200couple.jpg" width="320" /></a>Most people – whether through experience or empathy – can understand the range of feelings that go through someone’s mind and body when they discover their partner has, or is currently having, an affair. The event more often than not is experienced as a catastrophe by at least the wronged partner and it is common for all blame for the situation to be <br />
heaped on the straying partner.</div>
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From the therapist’s chair, affairs often look rather different. An affair, almost without exception, is actually a specific form of communication. In supposed monogamous relationships the fact that an affair has arisen suggests there might be evidence to support the idea that this is a relationship that has issues – and the underlying issues have probably developed over time. While it is very difficult to look beyond the pain of the immediate situation, couples who find their way to the consulting room tend to be providing themselves with an opportunity to really deal with their immediate and more longstanding problems.</div>
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One of the difficulties couples have to overcome when starting work, if an affair is the presenting issue, is avoidance. Avoidance is a strategy that rarely works in relationships and, while I don’t have space to go into any detail about it in this blog, it might be obvious to most people that avoiding an issue doesn’t mean it goes away. Indeed, a wide range of strategies of avoidance gets used between couples. One thing to bear in mind is that avoidance restricts resolution.</div>
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If you have discovered that your partner is having an affair, then I suggest you move more slowly with things than you might immediately feel driven to do. If you leave the relationship straight away you limit your opportunity for understanding what has happened and ultimately for your own repair.</div>
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Find yourself space. You are unlikely to want to go on sleeping in the same space as your partner for a while, but if you move too far away this is likely to fuel your anger and indignation. Try to reach a civil agreement that can work for a short time about how to use the space in your home.</div>
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Seek out some help, but be careful of other people’s moral judgements or advice. Therapists can be useful at a time like this because we don’t have to take sides. We tend to try to open up the picture so that understanding of the situation can be brought to bear, and the non-judgemental position can help make sense of the anger and rage that is commonplace at a time like this.</div>
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The process of working things through is actually just as likely to make you a stronger and closer couple than it is to split you up, providing you both want to work on the issues and are happy to look at not just your partner’s actions but also your own. Sadly, not every relationship can be brought back from the brink, but in thinking and talking together it is likely that even the decision to split will bring some positive benefits.</div>
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by Duncan Stafford</div>
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Amanda Williamson (She/her)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685203130859349559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518731414526924239.post-68169080654964421012015-12-18T18:19:00.001+00:002021-07-12T14:05:59.002+01:00A friend's perspective on Depression<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #141823;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">A friend, Tim Griffin, posted this on his Facebook page. I want to share it because it is important to talk about it, to understand that we are not alone. He wrote it to communicate with somebody going through a rough time. He gave me his kind permission to do so:</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 19px;"><i>Depression being like an alarm system in our brains - one which is saying to us intuitively that something is not quite right inside and out - the alarm gets louder and louder screaming out that a multitude of things needs to change - it can be a very lonely and distressing experience not knowing what needs to happen which direction to go in and trying to muster the motivation and energy to navigate our way through the fog.... it is a process which is undeniably painful and one that we can no longer ignore - there is no snooze button. Instead we get caught up in the symptoms and anxiety of being lost and disconnected which manifests itself in a number of ways - we learn to cope with the confusion and uncertainty through various distractions, coping strategies and defense mechanisms. Ultimately we are engaged in the same process that a snake goes though in order to shed it's previous skin, so that the alarm bells begin to dampen and we can adjust to our new skin. Settling in takes time as we learn misery still exists... sometimes we miss our old skin and want it back.... We can't go under it, we can't go over it - we've got to go *through* it </i></span><i class="_4-k1 img sp_ZrsPFjUrAQL sx_a7dbf8" style="background-image: url(https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/rsrc.php/v2/yv/r/0ZIO9JhgCXd.png); background-position: 0px -357px; background-size: 18px 476px; color: #141823; display: inline-block; height: 16px; line-height: 19px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"><u style="left: -999999px; position: absolute;">"smile emoticon</u></i></span>Amanda Williamson (She/her)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685203130859349559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518731414526924239.post-54789742833899690752015-12-16T12:08:00.001+00:002021-07-10T17:37:04.275+01:00Is this training organisation looking after their counselling trainees? <br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I have written to a training organisation* expressing my concerns that they allow their counselling trainees to attain their counselling experience at an organisation that had their BACP membership withdrawn for serious malpractice involving their treatment of trainee counsellors. My concerns are that trainee counsellors are being managed and supervised by individuals who acted disgracefully and not only got struck off the BACP but gave a very strong message that anybody that complains about them will be harassed and bullied.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Please bear in mind that the training organisation was sent a letter of concern to raise awareness in Summer 2014 from a couple of dozen counsellors regarding the issues described.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Here is the message I sent to the organisation's website on 10th November 2015:</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have concerns around </span><i style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">(your organisation)</i><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"> allowing students to attain their experience at </span><i style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">*redacted*</i><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"> despite extremely disturbing allegations been proven under two separate BACP hearings. I see that you are an organisational member of the BACP so presumably you subscribe to their ethical code. Please would you kindly let me know if you are still allowing your students to gain their experience there and if so I would appreciate your reasoning as I amstruggling to comprehend how this can be deemed safe or ethical. It is my understanding that no other training organisation deems the place suitable for trainee placements in light of the nature of the complaints and the </span><i style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">*redacted*</i><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"> response to them.</span></b></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thank you Amanda </span><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Williamson)</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">To which I received (after chasing up two weeks later) the following response on 24th November:</span><br />
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<span class="yiv9599588938" id="yiv9599588938yui_3_16_0_1_1448351025586_4671" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><b>From *<i>redacted*</i> and <i>*redacted*</i> </b></span></div>
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<span class="yiv9599588938" id="yiv9599588938yui_3_16_0_1_1448351025586_4677" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><b>Directors *<i>redacted</i>*</b></span></div>
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<span class="yiv9599588938" id="yiv9599588938yui_3_16_0_1_1448351025586_4695" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><b>Further to your communication of November 10th</b></span></div>
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<span class="yiv9599588938" id="yiv9599588938yui_3_16_0_1_1448351025586_4706" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><b>We are not aware of any infringement of BACP ethical guidelines or of acting in disregard to any of BACP findings of misconduct. If you have any specific concerns please feel free to take these up with BACP. We are happy to respond to them if they have any concerns.</b></span></div>
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<span class="yiv9599588938" id="yiv9599588938yui_3_16_0_1_1448351025586_4712" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><b>It has come to our notice that you have contacted counsellors stating your views concerning our organisation. To make unfounded allegations on the basis of misinformation is likely to bring your own professional standards into disrepute – this we would not like to see. We respectfully request this behaviour ceases. Once again please refer to BACP any concerns about our organisation our associates or volunteers.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I perceived this as being hostile and threatening as well as potentially defamatory. They also had not addressed the clear question being asked. I responded thus:</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Dear <i>*redacted*</i> and <i>*redacted*</i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Many thanks for replying to my enquiry. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Firstly, I am not quite sure what you mean by stating that I have contacted your counsellors with unfounded allegations. I have not approached any of your counsellors, nor have I made any unfounded allegations. Maybe you are referring to an ex trainee of <i>*redacted*</i> I met at a workshop earlier this year. He approached me and raised the issue of <i>*redacted*</i> knowing that I was a complainant in the <i>*redacted*</i> case. He then told me all the things he thought was wrong with <i>*redacted*</i> as an organisation then told me he chose to sit on the fence in terms of the complaints made against them. I found this to be a bizarre and muddled conversation from him which was certainly not solicited by me. Nor was your organisation mentioned.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">If there is anybody else I have allegedly contacted please tell me what this is all about then I can respond to it.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Secondly, I may not have understood your response to my message fully but you don’t seem to have answered the question I asked which is whether you are recommending to your trainee counsellors that they attain their counselling experience at <i>*redacted*</i>. It is of possible concern that a training establishment might be ignoring the findings of a professional body by sending trainee counsellors to be managed and supervised by individuals who have had BACP membership removed twice under two separate hearings. In the process of having their membership removed, the directors of <i>*redacted*</i> had plenty of opportunity to present their case. The BACP gave multiple opportunities for <i>*redacted*</i> to defend themselves and provide mitigation. *<i>redacted*</i> chose to resign membership before the hearing. What a strange thing for someone to do before they have even presented their case.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">As I have mentioned above, I have not made any allegations against your organisation and am not sure what you are getting at. I am simply trying to find out what is going on. I would be grateful if you would just answer the questions regarding your trainees and whether they are still being sent to <i>*redacted*</i>.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">If this is not the case then I thank you for your kind response and there is nothing further to be raised. If you feel unable to answer then I do have a point of view that I should be able to express. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">My approach to you is to find out the facts so that I do not make any unfounded comments about you. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In respect of your last comment regarding bringing my professional standards into disrepute I am somewhat confused. I hardly see how asking a simple question to you directly could have this effect. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br class="yiv7384892718" id="yiv7384892718yui_3_16_0_1_1448455587055_3304" /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="yiv7384892718" id="yiv7384892718yui_3_16_0_1_1448455587055_3306" style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">In conclusion I would be grateful if you would respond in the spirit of my original question which is one of openness and respect.</span><span class="yiv7384892718" id="yiv7384892718yui_3_16_0_1_1448455587055_3308" style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"> </span><span class="yiv7384892718" id="yiv7384892718yui_3_16_0_1_1448455587055_3310" style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">I was hoping to find that the concerns that have been expressed to me about you sending trainee to <i>*redacted*</i> were unfounded and did not want to go by hearsay.</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This message was sent on the 25th November. I received the following reply on 3rd December:</span><br />
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<span id="yiv8486012312yui_3_16_0_1_1449155966484_1961" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Dear Amanda</b></span></div>
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<span id="yiv8486012312yui_3_16_0_1_1448829510065_5263" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>We are aware to a certain extent of your very real difficulties with <i>*redacted*</i> We feel that how ever awful this was for you we reiterate our view that if you have any ethical concerns about our organisation, ourselves, our volunteers or associates and evidence to support such concerns the only ethical course of action is to proceed through BACP. </b></span></div>
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<span id="yiv8486012312yui_3_16_0_1_1448829510065_5353" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>We hope this is the end of the matter and do not wish to hear or read any further rumours or inuendos that contradict our 25 years of impeccable ethical practice.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Rumours? Inuendos? Why am I being accused of things I have not done and why are they still refusing to answer the valid question? I have been in consultation with the BACP Ethics Team about this issue and one of the first ports of call in deciding whether to complain about the member is to try and resolve the issue with the member. This is what I am trying to do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">As a member of the BACP I have an ethical duty to report malpractice where I see it. I do not want to go through another complaints process. It was costly in a financial sense as well as a professionally and personally. I have gained nothing other than the knowledge that I have integrity and have contributed towards raising awareness of abusive practice. Believe me I have spent enough time doubting whether the price was worth paying, especially when other professionals, other BACP members, choose to ignore the BACP findings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The BACP Ethics team were very helpful and put me onto a document entitled "Guidance for trainee placements" a document I very much hope a training organisation who has membership of the BACP would be familiar with. There are a few parts which I think are directly relevant here:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i><b>"Two fundamental ethical principles
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experience. The first is the safety of both clients and trainees..."</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i><b>"Trainees will, therefore, normally
need a placement in a reputable agency.."</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I was also sent part of the Ethical Framework to consider (I have highlighted potentially relevant parts):</span><br />
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1450210234140_44021" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>The Ethical Framework confirms:</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Non-maleficence: </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">a commitment to avoiding harm to the client</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1450210234140_44028" style="font-size: 11pt;">Non-maleficence involves: avoiding sexual, financial, emotional or any other form of client exploitation; </span><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1450210234140_44030" style="font-size: 11pt;">avoiding incompetence or malpractice; not providing services when unfit to do so due to illness, personal </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">circumstances or intoxication. The practitioner has an ethical responsibility to strive to mitigate any harm </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">caused to a client even when the harm is unavoidable or unintended. Holding appropriate insurance </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">may assist in restitution. </span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #ffe599;"><i><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Practitioners have personal and professional responsibility to challenge, where </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">appropriate, the incompetence or malpractice of others; and to contribute to any investigation and/</span></i></span><i style="background-color: #ffe599; font-size: 11pt;">or adjudication concerning professional practice which falls below that of a reasonably competent</i><i style="background-color: #ffe599; font-size: 11pt;">practitioner and/or risks bringing discredit upon the profession.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Conclusion</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The challenge of working ethically means that practitioners will inevitably encounter situations where there are </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">competing obligations. In such situations it is tempting to retreat from all ethical analysis in order to escape a </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">sense of what may appear to be unresolvable ethical tension. These ethics are intended to be of assistance </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">in such circumstances by directing attention to the variety of ethical factors that may need to be taken into </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">consideration and to alternative ways of approaching ethics that may prove more useful. No statement of </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">ethics can totally alleviate the difficulty of making professional judgements in circumstances that may be </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">constantly changing and full of uncertainties. <span style="background-color: #ffe599;">By accepting this statement of ethics, members of the British </span></span></i><i style="background-color: #ffe599;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1450210234140_44052" style="font-size: 11pt;">Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy are committing themselves to engaging with the challenge </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">of striving to be ethical, even when doing so involves making difficult decisions or acting courageously.</span></i></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1450210234140_44009" style="background-color: #ffe599; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Teaching and training</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1450210234140_43998" style="font-size: 11pt;">25. All practitioners are encouraged to share their professional knowledge and practice for the benefit </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">of their clients and to promote awareness of counselling and psychotherapy in the public through </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">providing information and education.</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1450210234140_43709" style="font-size: 11pt;">26. Practitioners who provide formal education and training should acquire the skills, attitudes and </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">knowledge required to be competent teachers and facilitators of learning in their subject.</span></span></i></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1450210234140_43992" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>27. Practitioners are required to be fair, accurate and honest in their assessments of their students.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>28. Prior consent is required from clients if they are to be observed, recorded or if their personally</i></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1450210234140_44004" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>identifiable disclosures are to be used for training purposes.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ffe599; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1450210234140_44005" style="font-size: 11pt;">29. All training in counselling and psychotherapy should model standards and practice consistent with </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">those expected of practitioners in the role for which the training is being provided.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ffe599; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1450210234140_44064" style="font-size: 11pt;">30. All trainers and educators in counselling and psychotherapy have a responsibility to protect the </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">standards of the profession. Trainers are responsible for taking reasonable steps to prevent clients </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">being exposed to risk or harm by trainees.</span></i></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1450210234140_44068" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>31. Where information is held by more than one person involved in the assessment of a trainee, it</i></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1450210234140_44061" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>should normally be shared to produce the fairest possible evaluation of the person concerned.</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1450210234140_44059" style="font-size: 11pt;">Any confidentiality agreements between trainers and trainees ought to be established in ways that </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">permit the appropriate sharing of information for assessment and the protection of clients.</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I have since found out that one of the directors of this training establishment is a friend and colleague of the owner of the struck off agency. One might say that there is a clear conflict of interest here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I sent my final response on 8th December:</span><br />
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<span class="yiv7438016450" id="yiv7438016450yui_3_16_0_1_1448994646401_44231"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Dear <i>*redacted*</i> and <i>*redacted*</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span class="yiv7438016450" id="yiv7438016450yui_3_16_0_1_1449246605444_7205"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Thank you for taking the time to reply. However, you still haven't answered my question. You have told me that you hope that I will not say anything incorrect regarding your organisation, however, because you haven't answered the question I can only assume that you are still allowing your trainees to attain their counselling experience at *<i>redacted</i>*. As a question of fairness, if I do mention your organisation, I will state that you have refused to answer the question.</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="yiv7438016450" id="yiv7438016450yui_3_16_0_1_1448994646401_40729"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>As to my professionalism, I have spent a considerable amount of time discussing this particular situation with the BACP ethics team and am very aware of the implications. It is clearly written in the Ethical Framework that we are asked to attempt to resolve any issues directly with the member before raising the issue with the Professional Conduct Department and, as I have learned experientially, making a complaint is a very stressful and expensive process. </b></span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1450210234140_45007"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>It may be that your apparent hesitation in accepting the decision of the BACP is due to the fact that you have never had sight of the large amount of evidence and supporting statements that were presented to the BACP. If you wish to have sight of these I would be willing to meet with you and show you them (with certain details appropriately redacted). My intentions in doing so are as a matter of safeguarding. There were several counsellors affected by the same pattern of behaviour within the supervisory relationship at <i>*redacted*</i>. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Let's see what happens next...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">*(Please note that I have redacted the names for now as this blog post is more about the concept of bystanding, colluding and the ethics of ignoring BACP findings.) <b>UPDATE 25th April 2016</b> - The organisation is the Dartmoor Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy. I have named them because it would be unfair if this article led to speculation that other organisations were involved in this practice when as far as I am aware, the other local training institutions respect the findings of the BACP.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">NB I have been fortunate enough to have had the solid and ongoing support of Catalyst Counselling who have access to legal expertise in the area of defamation law and a lot of experience with dealing with toxic organisations/abusive relationships.</span><br />
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Amanda Williamson (She/her)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685203130859349559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518731414526924239.post-54992914129248637302015-10-06T18:36:00.001+01:002015-10-11T19:28:05.396+01:00New Premises from 12th October 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyiL6W8lXkS2EOvZo7_zWdVtnDL5YktwkevN3LWrTYLBg_7LSycZyvItM-MXp1AVcn3U92_CFUVSO-aUaenqjrmnuc27tm49N2fRg-Mc3omGUIvG_kLKrRYyehjAJMsd5JV-14bFx18Sy/s1600/room2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyiL6W8lXkS2EOvZo7_zWdVtnDL5YktwkevN3LWrTYLBg_7LSycZyvItM-MXp1AVcn3U92_CFUVSO-aUaenqjrmnuc27tm49N2fRg-Mc3omGUIvG_kLKrRYyehjAJMsd5JV-14bFx18Sy/s320/room2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I am delighted to have secured a 3 year lease on a pleasant, quiet room on Southernhay. My business address with effect from 12th October 2015 is:<br />
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Second Floor<br />
23 Southernhay East<br />
Exeter<br />
EX1 1QL<br />
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This map shows the new location, currently marked in red by Google as Bernton Ltd, who are situated on the first floor.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8G0HM7nx07U5MlN9040l5Agg5C1NX5fawP7VOaKLOBlPs28T70alRDHZM0902X97ImodnskQYz5a_KoU6xaUEnAqQrUErJygIfBWxucPGvt1yAoCQdu_HWkgxSwyRHACL89XMq2V_qLfj/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-10-10+at+19.33.34.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8G0HM7nx07U5MlN9040l5Agg5C1NX5fawP7VOaKLOBlPs28T70alRDHZM0902X97ImodnskQYz5a_KoU6xaUEnAqQrUErJygIfBWxucPGvt1yAoCQdu_HWkgxSwyRHACL89XMq2V_qLfj/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-10-10+at+19.33.34.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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The blue dots indicate the route from my previous North Street premises to the Southernhay premises.<br />
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If walking through Princesshay from High St with the Post Office on the right and Debenhams on the left you will come to crossroads with Southernhay West and Barnfield Road. Cross the road twice (which takes you to Southernhay East, which runs parallel to Southernhay West). Turn left at this juncture and 23 is the second door you will pass.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Z0GMrAm4RohnrlGOKddvKoxZY3uztB4MXRoUW8mwDQcyReL1WBkONTYPLwT26bNtBnPVVxJ9Azi1ZL_GY63Pc3-KKVNjJyyIi7CnmTX2TA9cLfIgOTn52rImLMNIf11yLI2q_rdFDl26/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-09-30+at+11.03.01.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Z0GMrAm4RohnrlGOKddvKoxZY3uztB4MXRoUW8mwDQcyReL1WBkONTYPLwT26bNtBnPVVxJ9Azi1ZL_GY63Pc3-KKVNjJyyIi7CnmTX2TA9cLfIgOTn52rImLMNIf11yLI2q_rdFDl26/s320/Screen+Shot+2015-09-30+at+11.03.01.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The outside of 23 Southernhay East</td></tr>
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Entrance is via intercom so clients will need to press the button by my name in the entrance lobby. I am on the second floor. I will come and meet clients on their first visit to these premises to show the way to the room. There is no waiting area so it is important to arrive at the appointment time and not too early as I will be unable to open the door. I need this unpaid time between clients to write up notes, check for messages, take comfort breaks etc.<br />
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For evening appointments, if the main door is closed then please call me on 07917 523494 and I will come down to let you in.<br />
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Although I very much like the room at North St and it was my intention to stay there long term, the building situation changed earlier this year and it is no longer a viable long term option. The new premises, however, has the security of a 3 year lease. It is also an exceptionally quiet part of central Exeter and is a very pleasing space.<br />
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<br />Amanda Williamson (She/her)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685203130859349559noreply@blogger.com0