Counselling Tutor podcast

In Episode 218 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly discuss this week's three topics: In 'Counselling Foundations', we'll look at the importance of knowing why you want to work in the service of others. Then in 'Focus on Self', Rory and Ken discuss learning from our mistakes. And lastly in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Marion Elkin-Greener about counselling clients with addiction.

In Episode 216 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly discuss this week's three topics: In 'Counselling Foundations' we'll look at the skill of challenging. Then in 'Focus on Self', we move on to how to deal with friends and acquaintances once they discover your career. And finally in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Jo Mountain about insurance for counsellors and psychotherapists.

In Episode 215 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly return with this week's three topics: In 'Counselling Foundations', we talk about endings. Next in 'Focus on Self', we look at your career as a therapist. And lastly in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Erene Hadjiioannou on pre-trial therapy.

In Episode 364 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly take us through this week's three topics: Firstly, in 'Ethical, Sustainable Practice', we explore the question 'Will AI Replace Counsellors and Psychotherapists?', examining how AI is currently used in mental health care and what this might mean for the future of the profession. Then in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Mahmoud Ahmed about his newly published book A New Introduction to Counselling and Psychotherapy, which calls for embedding diversity, equity, and context at the heart of practice. And finally, in 'Student Services', Rory and Ken explore what happens when your counselling course ends but your placement hours are incomplete – offering guidance on how to stay motivated and complete the journey.

In Episode 363 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly take us through this week's three topics: Firstly, in 'Ethical, Sustainable Practice', we explore choosing the right online tech for counselling, highlighting how equipment and setup affect professionalism and therapeutic presence. Then in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Caroline Evers-Endacott about working with alcohol, problem drinking, and recovery pathways – emphasising how therapists can work ethically and effectively with clients navigating addiction. And finally in 'Student Services', Rory and Ken offer guidance on how to manage long breaks between counselling training levels, including tips for maintaining motivation, skills, and learning during study gaps.

In Episode 362 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly take us through this week's three topics: Firstly, in 'Ethical, Sustainable Practice', we explore working with clients who have a psychiatric diagnosis, considering how to approach this work ethically, including navigating risk, understanding medication, and maintaining person-centred care. Then in 'Practice Matters', Rory catches up with Alex Gulland, a year after she qualified, to hear what the transition from student to practitioner has really been like – from building a client base to discovering a passion for equine-assisted therapy. And finally in 'Student Services', Ken and Rory explore how to protect client confidentiality when writing case studies – including anonymisation techniques and data protection guidance. Sarah Henry joins to share her frontline insights into balancing academic and ethical responsibilities.

In Episode 361 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly explore three vital topics for students and practitioners of counselling and psychotherapy: Firstly, in 'Ethical, Sustainable Practice', Rory and Ken examine managing isolation in counselling practice, highlighting why counsellors may experience isolation, the impact of emotional labour, and the importance of maintaining professional connections. Then in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with psychotherapist Claire Ratcliffe about the subtle but essential distinction between feeling safe and being safe in therapy, and what this means for clients and therapeutic practice. And finally, in 'Student Services', Rory and Ken offer practical guidance on how to reference non-academic resources in academic assignments.

In Episode 360 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly take us through this week's three topics: Firstly, in 'Ethical, Sustainable Practice', they explore the inevitable ruptures that can occur in the therapeutic relationship - and how recognising and repairing these moments builds resilience and strengthens the alliance. Then in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Ian Long, illustrator and co-creator of the iconic Blob Tree, about the origins, evolution, and global impact of these powerful visual tools in therapy and education. And finally, in 'Student Services', Rory and Ken rethink transference in person-centred therapy, offering insight into how these dynamics show up during training and why they matter - even outside of client work.

In Episode 359 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly take us through this week's three topics: Firstly, in 'Ethical, Sustainable Practice', they explore getting over cancellation guilt, looking at what therapist cancellation guilt means, why it arises, and how to approach it with compassion and professionalism. Then in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Ruth Hill about supporting therapists and clients through perimenopause and post menopause - challenging outdated views and reframing this life stage as one of growth, not decline. And finally in 'Student Services', Rory and Ken discuss the phenomenon of doorknobbing - those last-minute disclosures from clients - and how to respond ethically and sensitively in practice.

In Episode 358 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly explore this week's three topics: Firstly, in 'Ethical, Sustainable Practice', we discuss letting go of the outcome in counselling - why embracing client autonomy matters. Then in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Paula Jones about the Horn Effect and autism - how unconscious bias can shape perceptions of neurodivergent individuals. And finally, in 'Student Services', Rory and Ken explore not losing yourself in counselling training - staying authentic while growing through your studies.

In Episode 357 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly take us through this week's three topics: Firstly, in Ethical, Sustainable Practice, we discuss what to do when your usual supervisor isn't available. In planning for alternative supervision cover, we explore how to ensure you stay ethical and supported during supervisor absences.  Then in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Daragh Mac Loughlin from WebHealer about how to maximise your website presence and build a joined-up online identity across web and social platforms. And finally, in 'Student Services', Rory and Ken address a hot topic - should counselling students pay for a placement? With insight from Paul Cullen, they look at fairness, value for money, and what to consider if faced with this scenario.

In Episode 356 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly take us through this week's three topics: Firstly, in 'Ethical, Sustainable Practice', they explore the sensitive topic of lying in therapy, examining why clients may lie or conceal information through a trauma-informed perspective and how therapists can respond with compassion. Then in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Andrew Kidd about EMDR therapy - what it is, how it works, and why it's considered a cutting-edge 21st-century therapeutic intervention. And finally in 'Student Services', Rory and Ken discuss the rising concern of AI and plagiarism in counselling training, including guidance for ethical use and how assessment may evolve.

In Episode 355 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly take us through this week's three topics: Firstly, in 'Ethical, Sustainable Practice', they discuss the importance of having a clinical will - why it matters, what it should include, and how it upholds your ethical responsibilities. Then in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Ona Clark about the cost of caring - highlighting the emotional, financial, and systemic barriers that many face when training to become a counsellor. And finally, in 'Student Services', Rory and Ken explore erotic transference - how to recognise it, work with it ethically, and maintain clear professional boundaries.

In Episode 354 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly take us through this week's three topics: Firstly, in 'Ethical, Sustainable Practice', we explore the draft BACP Ethical Framework for 2025 - highlighting key proposed changes and what they might mean for practitioners. Then in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Ruth Hill about REBT – Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy – offering clear definitions and practical insights for working with beliefs and emotional responsibility. And finally in 'Student Services', Rory and Ken discuss how to navigate personal triggers in counselling training - and why these moments offer powerful opportunities for growth.

In this special edition of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Rory Lees-Oakes is joined by Dr Liz Nicholl, Qualifications Development Manager at CPCAB, for an in-depth discussion on the newly relaunched Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling. They explore how the qualification aligns with the SCoPEd framework (specifically Column B), what it offers learners beyond Level 4, and how it supports safe, ethical, and inclusive practice in increasingly complex counselling environments.

In Episode 353 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly take us through this week's three topics: Firstly, in 'Ethical, Sustainable Practice', we look at where autism meets attachment, understanding autism and attachment difficulties – and how similarities and overlaps in presentation can be misinterpreted and what this means for therapists. Then in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Meg Moss, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at the NCPS, about relational safeguards in AI mental health tools – a timely discussion for any practitioner using or considering AI in practice. And finally in 'Student Services', our correspondent Sarah Henry joins Rory to make sense of frame of reference – a foundational concept in person-centred therapy.

In Episode 352 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly take us through this week's three topics: Firstly, in 'Ethical, Sustainable Practice', we explore the nuances of switching supervisors, including when change is necessary and how to manage transitions ethically and professionally. Then in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Dr. Suzanne Degges-White about the deeply emotional issue of grandparent alienation – a growing concern with long-term implications for clients and families. And finally, in 'Student Services', Rory and Ken address how to navigate challenges with tutors, a topic frequently raised by students facing difficulties in training environments.

In Episode 351 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly take us through this week's three topics: Firstly, in 'Ethical, Sustainable Practice', they explore the concept of moral injury in therapy - how it shows up in the therapy room and how to work with it ethically and compassionately. Then in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with counselling student and writer Nell Ash, whose upcoming book addresses how class and politics influence both therapy and training. And finally in 'Student Services', Rory and Ken discuss how to link theory to practice - bridging what you learn in the classroom with what happens in real-life therapy sessions.

In episode 350 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly take us through this week's three topics: Firstly in 'Ethical, Sustainable Practice', we explore what it means to be starting as a counsellor –  how to bridge the gap between qualification and confident, competent practice. Then in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Mel Ciavucco, a specialist in disordered eating, body image, and weight stigma. They explore the psychological impact of weight loss drugs, how these medications may interact with disordered eating behaviours, and how counsellors can support clients ethically and without judgement. And lastly, in 'Student Services', we look at the concept of reasonable adjustments in counselling training and how learners can get the support they need.

In Episode 349 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly take us through this week's three topics: Firstly, in 'Ethical, Sustainable Practice', we discuss how supervision shapes better therapists  Then in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Chloe Foster about her specialism in email counselling and the benefits and challenges of working through the written word. And finally, in 'Student Services', Rory and Ken explore the role of personal therapy in counsellor training and why it is an essential part of your development.