Counselling Tutor podcast

In Episode 367 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly explore three timely and important topics for counsellors, psychotherapists, and students.

• Firstly, in Ethical, Sustainable Practice, Rory and Ken explore talking to clients about AI in therapy, discussing the growing presence of artificial intelligence (AI) in clients' lives and why therapists need to address the risks, ethics, and boundaries of AI use within the therapeutic contract.
• Then, in Practice Matters, Rory is joined by Andrew Kidd for the second part of their conversation on EMDR, focusing on the functional model and how EMDR works in practice to help clients reprocess trauma.
• Finally, in Student Services, Rory and Ken unpack a common source of confusion for trainees: when you actually become "qualified" as a counsellor, and how this differs from accreditation and employability.

In Episode 366 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 the new police guidance on accessing counselling records – essential listening if you work with trauma or abuse.
• Then, in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Lisa Williams on integrating genograms and social graces to enhance self-awareness and deepen the therapeutic relationship.
• And finally, in 'Student Services', Rory and Ken explore fitness to practise - what it means, how to get signed off, and what to do if you're struggling with that final hurdle.

In Episode 365 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 ask: when is it the right time to train as a supervisor? Rory and Ken, joined by Paul Cullen, explore motivations, timing, and expectations for moving into this advanced professional role.
• Then in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Sally-Anne Armitage, who returns to share creative supervision techniques that can enrich both supervisory and client practice.
• And finally in 'Student Services', Rory and Ken respond to a common concern from placement practitioners - how to talk to clients about being a trainee counsellor while maintaining confidence and clarity.

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.