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 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.

In episode 348 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 the barriers to diversity in supervision – exploring the importance of cultural attunement, honesty, and managing bias. Then in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Chris Metcalfe and Kent Riley from iMatta – a practice management platform for therapists looking to streamline their admin and protect client data. And lastly in 'Student Services', we discuss how non-judgement can be more than a counselling condition – it can become a valuable way of living.

In Episode 347 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 why autism-informed therapy matters and how inclusivity, legal responsibilities, and lived experience come together to strengthen practice. Then in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Aisha Gordon-Hiles about financial resilience for counsellors. They look at the importance of sustainable fees, ethical pricing, and developing a healthy money mindset to support private practice. And finally in 'Student Services', Rory and Ken reflect on why counselling trainees often doubt themselves – and how reframing these doubts can support deeper learning and professional growth.

In Episode 346 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 trauma-informed practice, focusing specifically on triangulation and trauma — how this hidden dynamic shows up in therapy and why recognising it is vital for working safely and effectively with clients. Then in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Mel Ciavucco, a counsellor, trainer, and specialist in domestic abuse, about her new CPD lecture, Domestic Abuse Awareness. They discuss working with both survivors and perpetrators, how coercive control operates, and the importance of understanding abuse through an intersectional lens. And finally, in 'Student Services', Rory and Ken explore why formal counselling training includes a full year focused entirely on counselling skills. They explain how these foundational skills form the bedrock of all therapeutic work and how they support students in becoming confident, competent practitioners.

In Episode 345 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 examine working with rehearsed material with Sarah Henry. How to identify it, what it means for the therapeutic relationship, and ethical ways to respond. Then in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Laura Davies, who shares her personal experience of navigating perimenopause while working as a therapist, offering insights into how it affected her practice and ways she adapted. And finally in 'Student Services', Rory and Ken do a deep dive into the counselling skill of reflection. How it works, when to use it, and the important role it plays in helping clients connect with their emotions.

In Episode 344 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly take us through this week's topics: Firstly, in 'Ethical, Sustainable Practice', we look at the ethical use of AI in therapy, highlighting potential risks and ethical responsibilities. Then in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Caroline Evers Endicott about her lecture Introducing Therapy for Addiction - a vital area of practice that's often underrepresented in core training. And finally, in 'Student Services', Rory and Ken discuss how learning never stops in counselling - and why planning your CPD is essential as you qualify and build your therapeutic career.

In Episode 343 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 importance of having an online and telephone informed supervisor when you work in this way. Then in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Sarah Henry about her concept of race and everyday friction - how these subtle, often hidden experiences shape identity and create barriers in life and therapy. And finally in 'Student Services', Rory and Ken discuss the significance of ending well in counselling training - how to navigate goodbyes with your peers and why these endings matter in your development.

In Episode 342 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 art of apologising as a counsellor - why it matters, how to do it effectively, and how to avoid making it about yourself. Then in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Dr. Ruth Birkbeck about a powerful and often unspoken topic: shame in supervision. We explore what it looks like, how it can impact both supervision and client work, and what can be done to repair it. And lastly in 'Student Services', Rory and Ken look at how you can make the most of your academic break with creative learning - offering tips for staying engaged without overwhelming yourself or contaminating your core training.

In Episode 341 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 concept of everyday trauma. Then in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Ellie Finch and Dr. Jo Griffin about their CPD lecture, which focuses on working with parents of children with disabilities, complex medical conditions, and special educational needs. And lastly in 'Student Services', Rory and Ken discuss what to do if you don't get accepted onto the next stage of your counselling training, offering support and strategies for staying motivated.

In Episode 340 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 the question: Can clients ask you to delete their data? - covering legal, ethical, and practical considerations. Then in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Jeremy Sachs about supporting male survivors of sexual abuse, with a focus on the intersectional challenges they face and practical considerations for therapists. And finally, in 'Student Services', Rory and Ken explain and simplify Carl Rogers' Seven Stages of Process, highlighting how this core theory maps client growth in therapy.