The relevance of research in counselling and psychotherapy for the counselling practitioner

Current research paradigms are outlined and appraised to enable counsellors to see more clearly the practical relevance of counselling research. The standpoint taken is that although it is possible to criticise current research paradigms on a number of grounds, practitioners who know their own biases and the limitations of these paradigms can successfully experiment with interventions suggested by research in their own practice. An example is presented from the research on paralinguistic variables in client-centred therapy.     

The concept of boundaries in counselling and psychotherapy

Boundaries in the mind—the relative 'thinness' and 'thickness' of many kinds of boundaries—has been studied as a measurable dimension of personality. Persons scoring 'thin' overall on the Boundary Questionnaire can be described as open, trusting, vulnerable, and usually having a rich fantasy life; they are people in whom 'everything gets through'. People who score very 'thick' tend to be solid, well-organised, and sometimes rigid. The relationship of boundaries to other measures of personality, to dreams and nightmares, to clients' occupations and interests, and finally to the conduct of psychotherapists and counsellors, including the question of boundary violations, is discussed. Some boundary violators have very thin boundaries and are unable to maintain clear distinctions between the client's needs and their own; others have relatively thick boundaries which make them insensitive to the damage that boundary violations can cause. Awareness of the client's boundaries and one's own can be useful in 'matching' a client with a therapist and in the conduct of therapy, especially at stressful times. It is also useful at times to discuss boundaries with clients.     

The challenge of counselling and psychotherapy research

Aims: The purpose of this commentary is to argue that the value of counselling and psychotherapy research lies, not only in what it teaches us as therapists, but also in its ability to challenge us and our assumptions. Method: The paper identifies eight beliefs that may be prevalent in sections of the counselling and psychotherapy community, and presents evidence that challenges them. Findings: While many of our beliefs may hold true for some clients some of the time, the research evidence suggests that they are unlikely to be true for all clients all of the time. Discussion: By questioning and challenging therapists' a priori assumptions, research findings can help counsellors and psychotherapists to be less set in their beliefs; and more open to the unique experiences, characteristics and wants of each individual client.     

On the margins: a psychoanalytic perspective on the location of counselling, psychotherapy and counselling psychology training programmes within universities

Despite the continuing expansion of psychotherapeutic training programmes within universities in the UK, very little has been written about the psychological strains which may be experienced by teams working within the context of higher education. This theoretical paper offers a psychoanalytic perspective on the location of such teams, drawing on Kleinian conceptualisations of anxiety and projective identification, as well as Menzies-Lyth's concept of social defence systems. The paper explores the way in which psychotherapeutic teams in general and counselling psychology teams in particular may be at risk of becoming the locus of unconsciously split-off emotional aspects of the institution. The role of such teaching teams within universities is discussed and brief suggestions for future practice outlined.     

The baby and the bathwater: 'Professionalisation' in psychotherapy and counselling

The current rush to professionalisation in the field of counselling and psychotherapy, and some of its deleterious effects, are examined. The parallels between this process and the experience of psychoanalysis in the USA in the 1940s and early 1950s are demonstrated, quoting from contemporary critics; and comparisons are drawn with the American phenomenon of managed care. An account is offered of what is happening in terms of the sociology of professions, suggesting that 'expert systems' are being substituted for 'local knowledges—skills and wisdoms which cannot be fully systematised. The argument that this process is for 'the good of the client' is considered and rejected. Finally, some thoughts are presented about the likely future for counselling and psychotherapy, arguing that the victory of professionalisation and expertise is unlikely to be complete.     

The 'storied' helper: narrative ideas and practices in counselling and psychotherapy

This paper is intended as an introduction to the use of narrative ideas, languages and practices in counselling and psychotherapy. It explores the skills and knowledges that are involved in narrative ways of working for bothpractitioners and those who consult them. Counselling is understood as comprising a social process within a ‘storied world’. These ideas are illustrated through one particular ‘shortstory’. A narrative perspective enables us to consider the stories that are hidden as well as the stories that are privileged within the both contemporary cultural discourse and the professional discourses of counselling and psychotherapy.     

Psychoanalytic psychotherapy and student counselling

This paper explores the experience of a psychotherapist working in a university counselling service, indicating the contribution I think a psychoanalytic orientation can make to this kind of work. The exposed ‘coal face’ nature of the work is illustrated, and some of the psychotherapeutic implications of working within a large organisation discussed. There is an exploration of institutional dynamics which bear directly upon the psychotherapist, in terms of what it is possible to provide, and of professional self-preservation and self-esteem. Analysis of the uses made of the counselling service is seen as a contribution towards enabling the service to represent properly itself and its concerns within the institution.     

The emerging narrative approach to counselling and psychotherapy

An important recent development within counselling and psychotherapy has been the emergence of narrative perspectives on theory and practice. The task of the counsellor is viewed as that of assisting the client to 're-author' parts of their life-story. The origins of this approach within psychology and social science are discussed, and the central elements of a narrative approach to counselling and psychotherapy are identified. A brief case-study illustrates some of these themes.     

The counselling and psychotherapy profession in Canada: regulatory processes and current status

ABSTRACT

Like the Canadian landscape and culture, the status of professional regulation for counselling and psychotherapy is a mosaic reflecting the unique cultural, linguistic and contextual realities of Canada. Statutory regulation in Canada is constitutionally a provincial/territorial matter. In the past five years, a major movement towards professional regulation has emerged. The authors describe the variable status of regulation, focusing on three provinces: Quebec, Nova Scotia and Ontario. They explore the federal Agreement of Internal Trade, designed to facilitate inter-provincial/territorial mobility of regulated professionals. Finally, the authors summarise national research and development activities of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association that enhance the pan-Canadian mobility of practitioners and support shared professional understandings. These activities range from bilingual, national validation of competencies, definitions, titles and scopes of practice to symposia and an entry-to-practice competency assessment.     

Integration and eclecticism in counselling and psychotherapy: Cautionary notes

Obstacles on the path to integration and eclecticism are illustrated in three realms of endeavour: the therapeutic relationship, the constitution of knowledge, and visions of reality. The strands of three major systems of psychotherapy - the psychoanalytic, the behavioural and the humanistic - are examined as to the desired nature of the therapist-client relationship, their sources and understanding of data, and the worldviews they encompass from among the romantic, ironic, tragic and comic. Differences among these theories of psychotherapy are seen to limit the possibilities for integration and eclecticism. This conclusion is tempered, however, by a recognition of the value of each approach assimilating some views of the others in a considered way.     

Universes of discourse: implications for counselling and psychotherapy

All individuals can be envisaged as living within a number of parallel universes of discourse, where different meanings and values may apply; these may be characterised by different language 'registers'. The process of counselling and psychotherapy itself constitutes such a universe. The inner and outer worlds of the client also constitute different universes that may themselves each consist of a number of distinct universes. Decisions made with respect to one universe may have different meanings or adverse consequences in another; it therefore beholds the therapist to be aware of, and alert to, these differences.     

Theory in counselling: Using content knowledge

An underlying theoretical principle of person‐centred counselling is that this approach has no requirements for a content knowledge base in terms of client groups and client issues. This is also the position implicit in UK professional accreditation criteria. Yet counsellors do acquire and do use content knowledge in addition to knowledge of process. Thus professional ethos and professional practice are, it is suggested, at variance.