223 – Counselling Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse

04/02/22 • 53 min

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Ego States in Transactional Analysis - Regulating Yourself in the Therapy Room In Episode 223 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly are back with three new topics: In this week's 'Counselling Foundations', we look at the ego states in transactional analysis. Then in 'Focus on Self', we'll think about self-regulation within our sessions. And finally in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Del Beach-Campbell on counselling male survivors of sexual abuse. The Ego States in Transactional Analysis [starts at 01:59 mins] In this section, listen as Rory and Ken discuss Eric Berne's Pack Ego Model (PAC Model): In its most simplistic form, the model is split into these three states: the adult ego state the child ego state the parent ego state If a person is in any one of these states permanently, it may lead to miscommunications and disagreements. Your client will want an adult with them in the therapy room (in the adult ego state). The child ego state means you're functioning without your critical thinking, and you may not make the best decisions. A healthy personality will go through all the states. Within the adult state, you can acknowledge the other states - you're not blinkered like you may be in the other states. Regulating Yourself in the Therapy Room [starts at 21:32 mins] When feelings arise during a session that you know shouldn't be there, it can be quite difficult to navigate. In this section, Rory and Ken discuss some actions you may want to consider taking if this does happen to you: Make sure you've had good personal therapy and you have good supervision. Take action if you're struggling to regulate. If it arises amidst a session: see it, acknowledge and recognise it, then put it to one side (bracket it off) while with the client. However, make sure you go back to it later. It's okay to feel these feelings - but you can't let them overwhelm you. It isn't a weakness. If it persists, maybe seek personal therapy. A way to recognise that you have been 'breached' by client material is that you may notice you are no longer in the clients' frame of reference, but your own. Counselling Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse [starts at 36:52 mins] In this week's 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Del Beach-Campbell about counselling male survivors of sexual abuse. The key points of this discussion include: Men are more often spoken of as perpetrators - but we still can't overlook the minority. Often asked why they didn't fight back/defend themselves. Sexual violence is about power more than anything else - not necessarily to do with the sexuality of either the victim or the perpetrator. Some misconceptions include: Sexuality - it brings questions for the victim on how they feel about their sexuality, and introduces issues with trust. Brings about feelings of guilt and shame. Men need to speak out more and be heard when it comes to sexual abuse. Links and Resources Counselling Skills Academy Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide Counsellor CPD Counselling Study Resource Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide Counselling Tutor Shop Facebook group Website Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner's Guide Online and Telephone Counselling Course

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222 – Time-Limited Counselling

Counselling and the Law - Developing a Safe Emotional Space for Clients In Episode 222 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly are back with this week's three topics: In 'Counselling Foundations' - counselling and the law. Then in 'Focus on Self', Rory and Ken discuss creating a safe emotional space for clients. And finally in 'Practice Matters', Ken speaks with Amy Launder on time-limited counselling in the NHS. Counselling and the Law [starts at 2:15 mins] As a counsellor, it is our responsibility to be aware of the laws we must abide by when dealing with clients and their data. Rory and Ken go over some key things worth remembering when it comes to counselling and the law: Some key acts and legislations to be aware of (UK specific): The Data Protection Act of 2018. Health and Safety legislation. The Equalities Act Remember that legislation is there for a reason - in places where things might have previously gone wrong. You may want to include some law in your client contract - such as in what circumstances you might be required to break confidentiality. Drug-related issues may require a decision on your part on how to deal with it - you can go to your ethical body or supervisor for a perspective that may help inform your decision. It's unlikely that an instance where it's necessary for you to break confidentiality will occur, but it's important that you're prepared for the possibility. Developing a Safe Emotional Space for Clients [starts at 23:10 mins] In order to be the best in service of your client, it's important to create an environment that they feel safe in. The main points of this discussion include: Counselling is more than just the theory - when in a session, you are sat across from another human being. The skill of silence - just being a listening ear is often the best thing you can do for your client. Have your true self in the room, learn who you are and this will work in service of your client. Be fully there when in the room with your client. Don't forget the importance of self within sessions. Time-Limited Counselling [starts at 40:02 mins] This week, Rory speaks with Amy Launder on time-limited counselling in the NHS. The key points of this discussion include: Counselling under the NHS is time-limited due to funding. Most counsellors aren't actually trained for time-limited sessions, so adjusting to this new structure can be difficult at first. Assessment becomes more crucial in order to hone in on what the client needs to work on - there is a goal to be reached within time-limited counselling. All modalities can be adapted to fit time-limited counselling, but certain modalities such as dynamic interpersonal therapy were specifically designed for short term work. Some clients may require referring e.g. clients who appear to have trauma. It's important to remember that you're helping even if it may not feel like it within just 6 sessions. Links and Resources Counselling Skills Academy Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide Counsellor CPD Counselling Study Resource Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide Counselling Tutor Shop Facebook group Website Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner's Guide Online and Telephone Counselling Course

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Special Edition: CPCAB Progression Route

Special Edition: CPCAB Progression Route In this special episode of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Rory Lees-Oakes speaks with Derek Cunningham from the CPCAB on choosing the right courses to become a fully qualified counsellor. There is more than one way to study counselling, and throughout this episode, Rory and Derek will take us through some of the options available, and the key things to consider when choosing the best progression route for you: Make sure that at the end of whatever course you take, you will be qualified to join a professional membership organisation. Take courses that are Ofqual approved in order to be able to join a professional body. Be sure to join an ethical body that is accredited with professional standards authority. Not all level 2 and 3 qualifications are equivalent - you will need classroom and practical hours in order to progress further. It's incredibly important that you have been amongst peers and received feedback through discussion. CPCAB is working on a helpful model to show the progression of both the CPCAB route and a degree route. This could help in choosing the route that is best for you. Some of the differences in these routes include: CPCAB Progression Route: A more vocational/practical route. Educated up to level 4. Part-time study. Degree Route: A more academic route. With an undergraduate degree, you will be educated up to level 6. Full-time study. Free Resource from CPCAB >> Download the 'Planning Your Counselling Journey' Infographic from CPCAB here << CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills This is the first step on your journey to become a qualified counsellor. With this qualification you'll practise helping skills and explore basic counselling theory and ethics. Personal development will play a big part as you reflect on your life experience and your place in the learning community. You'll consider: What is important about difference and diversity? How are we different and how does it affect us? This qualification can help in a wide range of jobs such as working with individuals and groups, advocacy roles, colleagues, as well as friends and family. If you want to continue training as a counsellor, it's preparation to move on to Level 3 and beyond. CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies It's time to take the next step on your journey to become a qualified counsellor. On this qualification you'll start to look at a range of counselling theories and continue to practise your skills with your fellow learners. As you prepare to move on to practitioner training at Level 4, you'll be increasing your skills and knowledge, building on the learning you gained at Level 2. This qualification can enhance your employability and support you in roles such as mentoring, advocacy, health and social care or any role where you are helping people. CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling This is the final step on your journey to become a fully qualified counsellor. You'll spend two years part-time immersed in a learning community. On successful completion, you'll be a trained and qualified counsellor and you'll be eligible to join a recognised professional membership body such as BACP, NCS or ACC. You'll become experienced in working with clients within a counselling agency, gaining 100 'client' hours of this work as part of the course. The in-depth study at this level will support your personal development and professional skills, getting you ready to move into a career as a professional counsellor. You might choose to seek employment as a counsellor or support a wide range of health and social care roles, including management, mentoring and support, advocacy and work in the mental health sector. It's important to remember that neither of these routes is particularly better than the other, it is about looking at which one is better for you. Consider: Cost Whether full time or part-time works better for you.