I have previously written about Self Determination theory (SDT) concerning understanding client motivation (Simper, 2023). Here, we consider the potential benefits of applying SDT within counselling interactions and focus primarily on clients with work issues. Self-determination theory (SDT) is a psychological framework developed by Edward L. Deci and Richard M. Ryan that focuses on human […]
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Counselling Therapies
Counselling with Chimps
The Chimp Paradox, authored by Steve Peters (2013), presents a compelling exploration of the Human mind and its intricate workings. Peters, a psychiatrist most renowned for his work in elite sports psychology, introduces readers to a captivating model that delves into the complexities of the brain and its impact on emotions, behaviour, and decision-making. The […]
- February 11, 2025
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- Blog Posts, Case Studies, Counselling Theory & Process, Counselling Therapies, Creativity in Counselling, Private Practice
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Schema Therapy in Counselling
Unlike other therapeutic approaches that may primarily target surface-level symptoms, Schema Therapy delves into the root causes of emotional and psychological difficulties. It emphasises understanding the origins of maladaptive schemas, often rooted in unmet core emotional needs and early negative experiences. The therapy aims to foster a therapeutic relationship that provides the emotional support and […]
- February 4, 2025
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- Blog Posts, Clinical Mental Health, Counselling Dilemmas, Counselling Theory & Process, Counselling Therapies, Private Practice
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Understanding and Handling Loneliness
Loneliness is often cited as merely being a state of being alone – this is perhaps not accurate, however. Loneliness is not a situation as much as it is a “state of mind characterized by negative emotions regarding the perception of being alone” (Tiwari, 2013). This definition points to one fundamental and overlooked fact about […]
- January 28, 2025
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- Blog Posts, Counselling Theory & Process, Counselling Therapies, Private Practice, Wellness
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Incorporating Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) into your Counselling
REBT was developed by American psychologist Albert Ellis in the 1950’s and although it is clearly a close relative of CBT, was developed prior to the most popular form of therapy delivered today. It is in fact the first cognitive behaviour therapy developed. Ellis’s theory suggests that humans have both rational (constructive, meaningful, socially promoting) […]
- January 7, 2025
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- Blog Posts, Clinical Mental Health, Counselling Theory & Process, Counselling Therapies, Private Practice
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Understanding Trauma and its Impacts
In order to understand trauma, we must first consider, what does trauma mean? Nowadays, the term ‘trauma’ is often used loosely to refer to an event or experience that is emotionally upsetting or distressing. For example, you may hear someone discussing a ‘hair trauma’ when they are having a ‘bad hair day’. On the other hand, […]
- December 31, 2024
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- Blog Posts, Counselling Therapies, Trauma & Disaster Mental Health
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Theories of Grief and the Grieving Process
Grief theories provide a conceptual base for understanding grief and loss as a process involving many common characteristics and phases. A general understanding of these will help you understand and anticipate the process that people may go through. This will help you to identify and normalise reactions to loss, and to identify where further help […]
- December 24, 2024
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- Blog Posts, Clinical Mental Health, Counselling Theory & Process, Counselling Therapies, Loss & Grief
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Can traumatic memories literally be re-parented?
This article describes the practical experience of an imagery rescript from schema therapy, and also discusses some of the evidence for this approach in treating trauma or schemas which originated in childhood. A great deal of the problems people seek therapy for are the deep-seated type problems; the problems people feel they have always had. Problems with […]
- December 17, 2024
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- Blog Posts, Counselling Theory & Process, Counselling Therapies, Private Practice, Trauma & Disaster Mental Health
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Counselling with Equipoise
Naturally when clients attend for counselling sessions, there should be some thought given to any vested interest we, the counsellor, have in the outcome. If, for example, the sign on the door has ‘Smoking cessation counsellor’ written upon it, we can, to some extent, assume the work is focussed on actually altering that behaviour and […]
- December 10, 2024
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- Blog Posts, Counselling Theory & Process, Counselling Therapies, Creativity in Counselling, Private Practice, School Counselling
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Building Transactional Analysis Into Your Counselling Practice
Some counsellors will be familiar with the work of Eric Berne and his seminal text: The Games People Play (1968) or I’m Ok, You’re Ok (Harris, 1967) and Staying Ok (Harris, 1985). Berne developed transactional analysis, based upon the ideas of Freud and Jung, but also developed an approach that is distinctly different, as he focussed on patients social ‘transactions’. Berne translated […]
- July 29, 2024
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- Blog Posts, Counselling Theory & Process, Counselling Therapies
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Strategies for Career Counselling
As a counsellor, you will likely encounter clients who are anxious about career-related concerns. They may be kids, teenagers, or adults, and may come from any number of social or economic strata; vocational pressure effects people of all demographics, and there is a robust literature that suggests strategies that counsellors can use to attend to […]
- August 3, 2023
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- Career Development, Counselling Theory & Process, Counselling Therapies, Private Practice, Uncategorized
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How does being a counsellor affect your mental health?
Compassion Fatigue (CF), Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) and Vicarious Trauma (VT) have all been highlighted in the research literature as risks for counsellors, psychologists, and other mental health professionals (Sutton, et al, 2022). In the current post-pandemic era, burnout amongst mental health workers is a subject more prevalent than ever and subsequently has been studied […]
An Introduction to Case Management
Many clients who access counselling have multiple services assisting them with their ongoing living, health, and social needs. In some cases, clients are supported by a case manager (or a case management service) who coordinates these services to make sure that clients’ needs and goals are met in an efficient and effective manner (Summers, 2016).
- February 6, 2023
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- Clinical Mental Health, Counselling Theory & Process, Counselling Therapies, Diagnosis & Treatment, Private Practice
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An Introduction to Expressive Therapies
Expressive therapies involve the use of various creative arts techniques to facilitate the counselling process. While there are a range of different modalities encompassed under the umbrella of expressive therapies, in a nutshell, expressive therapies are those that use creative expression as a therapeutic device. Activities such as drawing, painting, sculpture, music, writing, creative movement, […]
- October 13, 2022
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- Counselling Theory & Process, Counselling Therapies, Uncategorized
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Using Mindfulness Techniques in Counselling
Whether the approach is highly structured or not, and whether the practices are formal or informal, bringing mindfulness into helping roles has several general principles. This article explores these, along with some of the benefits, limitations and contraindications of mindfulness practices.
- May 3, 2022
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- Counselling Theory & Process, Counselling Therapies, Stress Management, Wellness
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