UKCP

UKCP is creating a new strategy to define and steer our work for the next three years. We want to create a strategy that captures a collective vision for UKCP and are currently engaging with members on key areas of UKCP’s work as well as topical issues likely to impact the profession.

We asked writer, broadcaster and speaker, David Baker, who has written and spoken about artificial intelligence (AI) and the future of work, to explore the relationship between psychotherapy and AI. He sought views from across the profession and looked at the implications of this rapidly emerging technology.

How can you build a psychotherapeutic career working with dreams?
In this episode, Emily Bridges, our head of content and engagement, talks to UKCP psychotherapist Dave Billington.
When it came to pursuing a career in psychotherapy, Dave explored his long-standing interest in dreams, pursuing training that allowed him to explore this psychotherapeutic way of working. 
His experience, interest and career led Dave into private practice and to take on the role of director of the DRI Centre for Dream Studies, which supports research into the uses and applications of psychospiritual dreamwork for holistic well-being. 
He now also runs ‘The Dream Boat’ podcast series, alongside his colleague Laura Payne. It brings together experts and the public to delve into the world of dreams. 
‘There’s something that comes through from just being with the imagery that’s there, and feeling the feelings the dream is bringing, that connects us to our deepest unconscious.’ 
If you’re interested in learning more about a career in psychotherapy, then visit our website for more information.
You can also find information about choosing a training that’s right for you on our website. 

When someone is struggling with disordered eating, it affects both the individual and their family. 
In this episode, UKCP psychotherapist and eating disorder specialist Gladys Ellis talks with Martha Williams, the senior clinical advice coordinator for Beat, the UK's leading eating disorder charity. 
Gladys and Martha discuss Beat's efforts to break down stereotypes of eating disorders in society and the media. They also highlight the importance of working in multi-disciplinary teams to support the physical and psychological wellbeing of individuals with an eating disorder. 
According to Gladys, ‘weight is not a prerequisite to get support,’ especially for young people.
If you’re interested in learning more about a career in psychotherapy, then visit our website for more information.
You can also find information about choosing a training that’s right for you on our website. 

You can find support by contacting:
In an emergency, call: 999
NHS (England), call: 111
NHS Direct (Wales), call: 0845 46 47
The Samaritans 24-hour helpline, call: 116 123
Anorexia and Bulimia Care helpline: 03000 11 12 13
Beat Eating disorder: 0808 801 0711 (open between 3-8pm each day) 

How can you find work opportunities and follow your passion?  
In this episode, Emily Bridges, our head of content and engagement, talks to UKCP psychotherapist Gladys Ellis. 
Working in the NHS as a mental health nurse, Gladys decided to pursue psychotherapeutic training to support young people and their families. After qualifying, she worked in an NHS CAHMS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) team, where she noticed an increase in the number of young people entering for disordered eating. This sparked her interest to learn more and specialise. Now with over 21 years of experience, she shares her learnings. 
‘One needs a lot of different skills and ability to support people. I would encourage people to work in generic roles before they specialise and definitely to be really aware that going into private practice when one is newly quailed can be really risky, both for themselves as clinicians, but also for the population you’d be working with.’ 
If you’re interested in learning more about a career in psychotherapy, then visit our website for more information.
You can also find information about choosing a training that’s right for you on our website. 

Exploring yourself through psychotherapy can lead you to transform your life. 
In this episode Helen Willingham, our head of content and engagement, talks to UKCP psychotherapist Richard Hughes. 
After a 25-year career in the TV industry and owning his own production company, Richard began experiencing an existential crisis which led him to psychotherapy. He later became inspired to make this his career. 
‘But doing therapy I just found that I could tap into a vulnerability that I wasn’t really familiar with. It just allowed me to be deeply relational with someone and I really loved it. And I thought why do I just have this for one hour a week, this could be bigger, this could be my life.’
🎙️Have you listened to our podcast series? We'd love to hear your thoughts in our 5-minute survey.

If you’re interested in learning more about a potential career in psychotherapy, then visit our website for more information.
You can also find information about choosing a training that’s right for you on our website. 

How can a psychotherapist use social media in their career?
In this episode Helen Willingham, our head of content and engagement, talks to UKCP psychotherapist Tasha Bailey. 
An author, speaker and social media influencer, Tasha specialises childhood wounds, healing, and self-love.
In this episode Tasha looks at her career and how social media led her to a book deal. Her new book, titled Real Talk: Lessons From Therapy on Healing and Self-Love, seeks to give readers the reflective tools they need to start exploring who they are. 
‘When I was working with young people, I always had this feeling of, I wish there was something I could give to them, like a book or a toolbox that they can just go away and have access to whenever they need it after therapy. That’s what I wanted to create. I wanted to create a book that could be a toolbox for people who either are in therapy, or have finished therapy, or who have never had therapy, but something where they’re getting all the therapeutic lessons I’d wished they’d had earlier on.’
🎙️Have you listened to our podcast series? We'd love to hear your thoughts in our 5-minute survey.

If you’re interested in learning more about a potential career in psychotherapy, then visit our website for more information.
You can also find information about choosing a training that’s right for you on our website. 

What leads a psychotherapeutic professional into research? 

In this episode Helen Willingham, our head of content and engagement, talks to UKCP psychotherapist Melissa Cliffe.

Melissa had always felt drawn to the psychological profession, and after immersing herself in a career in the marketing, she felt it was time to exploring psychotherapeutic training.

In her professional journey, Melissa became deeply connected to her own experience of midlife and the profound existential questioning about her life. This inspired her to specialise in midlife, aging and appearance, with a specific focus on women. She responded to the gap in resources about this transitional period, which led her into research.

‘I’m looking at how physical appearance is addressed between female therapists and female clients because I’ve been looking for what’s missing in our literature, what hasn’t been addressed yet, and this seems to be an area that hasn’t had any attention.’

🎙️Have you listened to our podcast series? We'd love to hear your thoughts in our 5-minute survey.

If you’re interested in learning more about a potential career in psychotherapy, then visit our website for more information.

You can also find information about choosing a training that’s right for you on our website. 

Looking forward to new opportunities and interests can take your career in any direction. 
In this episode Helen Willingham, our head of content and engagement, talks to UKCP psychotherapist Siobhán McGee.
Siobhán looks back at the skills and experience she gained working with organisations and co-consulting alongside colleagues, that ultimately led her into leadership.
‘If you’re working with trauma dynamics and you’re working with groups and organisations, it’s important to work with at least one colleague or a team because it’s very hard to hold that all by yourself.’
🎙️Have you listened to our podcast series? We'd love to hear your thoughts in our 5-minute survey.

If you’re interested in learning more about a potential career in psychotherapy, then visit our website for more information.
You can also find information about choosing a training that’s right for you on our website. 

How can a newly qualified member benefit from working in an organisation?
In this episode Helen Willingham, our head of content and engagement, talks to UKCP psychotherapist Victoria Dada.
Victoria looks back at her career and why she decided to start out in the NHS before setting up her own private practice during the pandemic. 
‘As we all know, the NHS is a well-established organisation. It also comes with the richness, with the opportunities to grow and it also widened my knowledge.’
🎙️Have you listened to our podcast series? We'd love to hear your thoughts in our 5-minute survey.

If you’re interested in learning more about a potential career in psychotherapy, then visit our website for more information.
You can also find information about choosing a training that’s right for you on our website. 

How can working in organisations help you grow your private practice? 
In this episode Helen Willingham, our head of content and engagement, talks to UKCP psychotherapist Lisa Bruton.
Helen speaks to Lisa about her work with first responders and how she balanced her organisational work whilst working in private practice. 
Lisa reflects on how she balanced her work between settings and how her work with organisations provided stability and growth. 
‘The sheer practice of working with lots of different people really builds up your sense of confidence and skillset, so any which way in which you can get yourself a full practice basically, I would say go for it.’
If you’re interested in learning more about a potential career in psychotherapy, then visit our website for more information.
You can also find information about choosing a training that’s right for you on our website.