Counselling Psychology
What is counselling psychology?
Evidence based practice
Counselling psychology is a psychological speciality that utilises evidence-based practice to alleviate human distress and improve wellbeing. Counselling psychologists train in a wide range of therapeutic modalities and work in a collaborative and culturally-sensitive way in order to facilitate a robust therapeutic relationship, which we recognise as being the most crucial factor in positive therapeutic outcomes.
Accredited by professional bodies
Counselling psychologists are accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), have undergone doctorate level, professional training and have completed our own original doctoral research in an area related to mental health and wellbeing.
Ethical & good practice guidelines
We rigorously adhere to and respect codes of ethics and good practice, in line with British Psychological Society’s (BPS) Division of Counselling Psychology (DCoP) professional practice guidelines, and the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) standards of conduct, performance and ethics. (see: https://www.hcpc-uk.org/standards/standards-of-conduct-performance-and-ethics). We receive regular supervision with experienced, competent and appropriately trained professionals in accordance with the guidelines above in order to constantly develop, evaluate and reflect on our professional practice.
Experience of personal therapy
Counselling psychologists are also required to have had our own therapy, which is a vitally important part of being a therapist. As counselling psychologists, we are trained to understand that we bring ourselves to the work and that our ‘professional artistry’, reflection skills, self-awareness and respect for our client as a whole person, are central to what we do. I couldn’t sit in my chair if I hadn’t done my own therapeutic work and experienced what it is like to sit in your chair. This, I believe, is what allows me to bring my own personality, personal experiences, and sense of humour to our therapeutic work.
