In this issue
Features
People
Rebuilding the jigsaw (free article)
Gillie Jenkinson spent years in an abusive cult. Now she specialises in counselling others recovering from similar experiences
The power of acceptance
Struggling with dyslexia has helped therapist Roger Helyar to empathise with others
Projects
Addressing spirituality in a multidisciplinary context
Peter Johnson shares his learning
Special focus - Psychosynthesis
The journey of psychosynthesis
Will Parfitt begins a Thresholds special focus on psychosynthesis, by describing what lies at the heart of the therapeutic approach that he has championed for over 30 years
Listening to the soul (free article)
Counsellor Melody Cranbourne-Rosser explains how she works with psychosynthesis
Beyond the wounded healer
Sophia Prevezanou draws on her research findings to consider what may motivate therapists to train in psychosynthesis
Perspectives
Unexpected conversations
Alistair Ross and Tim Marks believe that therapists have much to gain from a deeper understanding of the Christian faith
The gift of hospitality
Manu Bazzano examines the significance of hospitality to both the therapeutic relationship and Buddhism
APSCC Conference 2011
Summarised for you
In memory of Chris Jenkins: 1960 – 2011
Friends, colleagues and readers share their memories
Obituary: Derek Blows
Regulars
Lead advisor update
From the chair
Task and Finish Group
All articles from this issue are not yet available online. Divisional members and subscribers can download the pdf from the Thresholds archive.
Welcome from the editor
What do we mean by spirituality? How do we define it? Indeed, can we? Do we need to? What has become increasingly clear while editing this issue of Thresholds is that while spirituality is undoubtedly an intensely personal, intimate concept, conversely, it can be infinitely broad in both its interpretation and expression. To some, for example, it involves being supported by a faith; to others it absolutely does not. In short, it can mean very different things to different people.
Thresholds aims to represent the diverse spirituality of all its readers, whatever that may mean to them. It aims to be inclusive to all practitioners with an interest or involvement in spirituality or pastoral care. In order therefore to get a feel for how well the journal is currently meeting those aims, a short questionnaire is included. I would encourage you to take part – as your views are what count above anything else.
Elsewhere in this issue, I hope you enjoy the insights into the lives of two therapists, who each share their personal and professional journeys. Gillie Jenkinson survived many years in an abusive cult, but emerged, found strength to put her life and spirit back together, and today is a psychotherapist specialising in working with former cult members. Roger Helyar has devoted much of his life to working with individuals who, for whatever reason, have needed support. Over the years he has opened his home to provide a family environment to people who needed that stability. His severe dyslexia has been not a handicap, but rather a means of better understanding others in his therapeutic work, as he explains.
Roger and Gillie were just two of the delegates I was delighted to meet at this year’s APSCC Conference, in September. The friendly atmosphere, the professionalism of the event organisation and the high standard of the programme made it an extremely enjoyable two days, but best of all was meeting the people who make up this uniquely rich and diverse division of BACP.
The Conference this year was notable for the absence of one man, who until very recently was at the heart of both the APSCC division and Thresholds. Chris Jenkins, former APSCC Chair and Thresholds editor, sadly passed away in August, and is missed by many. While liaising with Chris on the last issue of Thresholds, I found it an incredible feat that he had managed to produce the journal from his hospital bed. You can read the many personal, poignant, and often humorous, memories of Chris, who would have been celebrating 25 years as a priest on 31 January 2012, from friends, colleagues and readers.
I would like to thank all the contributors to this issue of Thresholds and to invite all readers of the journal to see themselves as potential contributors. Please contact me, whether you have an article or idea to suggest, or whether you just want your opinion on the journal to be heard.
Jacqui Gray
Acting Editor
jacqui.gray@bacp.co.uk