Harm in Therapy

This encounter imagines therapy smashing norms and being re-wilded. It explores how the radical roots of the person-centred approach might flourish in nature, and in spaces which are neurodivergent, queer, or otherwise labelled ‘different’ – and how to reclaim its radical potential for all of us.  Rachael speaks to Sonny Hallet (they/them), a counsellor, supervisor, and trainer, whose work is focused on neurodiversity, nature, and difference.

In this encounter, Stephen Joseph reflects on a life working within the person-centred approach, from his first encounter with its radical potential, to his work on trauma, and reflections on how to bring the approach beyond the world of therapy. “It’s about people, whatever role they have in life, going out there and being person-centred.”   Rachael speaks to Stephen Joseph (he/him), author, researcher, and fellow of the British Psychological Society 

In this encounter we take the person centred-approach out of the therapy room and into a junior school, where Trees Dowson uses music, creativity, and a love of nature to work with children in a person-centred way. We also reflect on the deep importance music can have in times of personal distress.  Rachael speaks to Trees Dowson (she/her), a person-centred learning support assistant in a junior school, and a musician.

Is it even possible to imagine alternatives to a ‘medical model’ of therapy? What if person-centred therapy wasn’t a form of health care, but a particular kind of learning? This encounter explores the implications of this idea for the person-centred approach. Can it help create a world in which distress isn’t pathologised? Rachael speaks to David Murphy (he/him), a therapist, supervisor and researcher in the person-centred approach. 

Sexual feelings in the therapy space can be pushed underground and made into a taboo topic. How do we navigate sexual feelings in our clients and ourselves across differences of gender and sexuality, while at the same time staying tuned to the reality of our bodies and our practice ethics? Rachael speaks to Kate Hoyland (she/her), a person-centred counselling psychologist

In this encounter we navigate the potentially tricky, nerve-racking but also exciting moment of starting out in private practice as a therapist. If you are just starting out, and negotiating what that means to you, we hope this is one of the conversations you’ll want to hear.  Rachael speaks to Jacob Wiles (he/him), a researcher, musician and person-centred psychotherapist. 

In a world which talks loudly about ‘toxic’ masculinity, where do love and tenderness fit in? In this episode, we encounter the ways in which masculinity is policed, the place of love and sensitivity in masculine identity, and what it means to ‘be a man’ in therapy – and a male therapist.  Rachael speaks to Scott Reeve (he/him), a person-centred therapist, supervisor and trainer. 

What if therapy does harm? Many people have had harmful experiences in therapy, and harm can happen even if the therapist stays within ethical guidelines. In this encounter, we dive deeply into what constitutes harm, and discuss whether the person-centred approach is immune from causing harm (spoilers - it’s not).    Rachael (she/her) speaks to Erin Stevens (she/they), a therapist, supervisor and trainer who primarily works with people who have had previous experiences of harm in therapy.

At the heart of person-centred therapy lies a great mystery. Can we ever truly know or connect with another human, and what can person-centred psychology offer in a complex, uncertain and chaotic world? We attempt to unravel the mystery of therapy, in a rich and personal encounter. Rachael speaks to Sheila Haugh (she/her), a person-centred therapist, supervisor and consultant.

Is it possible to have training which is truly student-centred? At its best, person-centred training can be transformative, but there are a lot of watered-down versions out there. We look at the threats and opportunities on the horizon. Rachael speaks to Chris Molyneux (he/him), a person-centred therapist and trainer.