In this issue
Features
'Coming out' in therapy
Jo Moore’s study explored the experiences of gay and lesbian therapists about the self-disclosure of their sexual orientation
Out of the closet and into the therapy room
In response to Jo Moore’s study, Dan Owens reflects on how being gay impacts on his relationships in the therapy room
The impact of the setting
Valerie Garrett’s study looked at the influence of working in a GP surgery on the supervision of counsellors
Hypnosis within a therapeutic framework
Michelle Hague and Peter Mabbutt outline an approach which combines clinical hypnotherapy with CBT
The role of the psychological wellbeing practitioner
In the spirit of improving collaborative working, Clare Lidiard outlines what the role entails
Gathering the evidence
Phyllis Coulter, lead advisor for Northern Ireland, reports on how BACP is engaging right at the heart of NI’s implementation strategy for psychological therapies
The courage to be myself
CBT practitioner Elaine Davies makes a plea for an end to arguments between therapy modalities
Commissioning - how does it affect you?
In the third of a series of articles outlining how therapists can engage in the NHS reforms, Louise Robinson and Nichola Watson update readers on current developments
Regulars
Chair’s report – BACP Healthcare
Tina Campbell: What gets you out of bed in the morning?
Brief guide
NICE-recommended talking therapies
Counselling in primary care
Richard Mason: Journey's end
Third sector perspective
Michael Lilley: Don't shut the door on kindness
GP viewpoint
John Hague: Meeting expectations
Resumé
Louise Harper
All articles from this issue are not yet available online. Divisional members and subscribers can download the pdf from the Healthcare Counselling and Psychotherapy Journal archive.
From the editor
In the last issue of the journal, Cordelia Galgut wrote about continuing to work as a therapist after her mother’s death1. Her moving piece prompted many of you to respond, and what seemed to strike a chord in particular was Cordelia’s willingness to share her own struggles with clients if she thought it could help to alleviate their distress. Being ‘a real person’ was something Irvin Yalom spoke about in February this year when he addressed an audience of BACP members live by video link from California: ‘Be prepared to come into the session as a real person,’ Yalom advised therapists. ‘If you are going to deal with interpersonal issues, you have to overcome your training to keep yourself out of the discussion.’
In this issue, Jo Moore presents her study which explored the feelings and experiences of gay and lesbian therapists about the self-disclosure of their sexual orientation. When, if ever, she writes, should gay and lesbian therapists ‘come out’ to straight (ie heterosexual) clients in therapy? ‘With many gay and lesbian therapists experiencing varying degrees of homophobia while growing up, living and working in a predominantly heterosexual society,’ Jo writes, ‘self-disclosing their sexual orientation to straight clients may be potentially complex, with unknown implications for the therapeutic relationship.’ In a powerful piece responding to Jo’s article, student counsellor Dan Owens reflects on how being gay impacts on his relationships in the therapy room.
We are always pleased to welcome contributors who write from a range of modality perspectives. Valerie Garett’s fascinating study of the supervision of counselling which takes place in a GP surgery is presented from a psychodynamic perspective, while Michelle Hague and Peter Mabbutt explain an approach which combines clinical hypnotherapy with rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT). In a courageous piece, CBT practitioner Elaine Davies, who is also a trained and accredited counsellor, expresses her sadness and anger at the ongoing negative attitudes towards CBT she encounters in her work. ‘I thought we were all on the same side,’ Elaine writes. ‘Trying to help the client.’
As ever, we welcome your feedback on any of the articles in this issue. We also welcome ideas for articles relating to counselling and psychotherapy within the healthcare sector. We are particularly interested in new perspectives on current thinking, debate on practical or professional issues, and sharing of experience and practice. For information on how to submit an idea, please contact me at the email address below. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sarah Hovington
Editor
hcpj.editorial@bacp.co.uk
Reference
1. Galgut C. Continuing to work after my mother’s death. Healthcare Counselling and Psychotherapy Journal. 2013; 13(1):20-23.