It is widely accepted that Counselling Psychology is underpinned by both Humanist and Post-Modern epistemologies, and that it holds the practitioner’s ‘use of self’ in the service of the therapeutic relationship to be paramount in the therapeutic encounter. Although Humanism and Post-Modernism can both provide theoretical pretexts for the use of self, these stances to knowledge can be experienced as in conflict with each other, and so generate ambiguity and conflict for trainees. The academic (University) contexts of training courses can feed into aspects of these epistemological conflicts in that they uphold individualist-objectivist stances to knowledge/evidence and styles of communication. In this paper psychological literature is drawn upon to explore how trainees are positioned by the discourses of ‘self and ‘development’ that are available to them, with particular reference to the discourse of ‘reflective-practice’. The concept of a plural and dialogical self is used to suggest augmenting the manner in which personal and professional development is conducted and assessed.

This paper begins by introducing the mythical origins of the wounded healer ethos and its relevance to therapy practice today. As a counselling psychologist in training, I consider my relationship with the wounded healer paradigm, and my position of discomfort in embracing the language of wounds and healing as applied to human suffering. This unease prompts a journey of deconstruction, probing the idea of therapists as healers. I visit authors from counselling psychology, critical psychology and psychoanalysis, who contribute diverse narratives of the role and influence of therapists, ranging from professional helper to malign deathmaker. I end with a return to the wounded healer ethos, holding this position lightly, as one of multiple complex and challenging narratives of being a therapeutic helper.

As any change must begin somewhere, it is the single individual who will experience it and carry it through.’ (Tweeted by C.G. Jung Foundation, 16 May 2016) Content & Focus: In this editorial, we voice the unspoken and illuminate the subtle expressions of ‘race’ discrimination, in an effort to amend and repair our relationship with ‘race’ within a profession we are immensely proud of and that which forms a part of our identities. As individual practitioners, we desire a shift in our continued professional development and a true recognition of the visible but hidden phenomenon of ‘race’. We long for legitimacy and a lifelong ideal where, although issues may exist, we are able to experience, dissect, learn, and disseminate knowledge. We want counselling psychology to actively partake in the dialogue around race; and be a driving force to carry through advocacy for our clients and for ourselves.

This article is based on the text of a talk given at a conference on the future of counselling and psychotherapy organised by the Alliance for Counselling and Psychotherapy in December 2012. The full text appears in Therapy Today, March 2013.

Because I have so little time in which to tackle such a basic and important issue I shall limit myself to sketching the fundamental contradictions and pitfalls that are to be found underneath the smooth presentations of this new discipline of counselling psychology. It seems to me all the more important to take this opportunity to ask some pertinent questions and challenge some of the preconceptions around the aims and objectives of counselling psychology as it will be tempting for most of us to launch headlong into the professionalization of the field in order to achieve credibility. In making these few remarks I shall therefore speak from the perspective of the philosopher as defined by Wittgenstein in his Philosophical Investigations, where he declares that “the work of a philosopher consists in assembling reminders for a particular purpose” (Wittgenstein, 1953). My purpose will be clear in a minute.

This paper examines the question of how counselling psychology might move forward into the future. It argues that, for many counselling psychologists, the defining feature of our profession lies in a humanistic value-base; and that, to move forward, we need to look at how that could be more fully actualised. The paper argues that this value-base is most succinctly expressed in Levinas’s concept of ‘Welcoming the Other,’ and it proposes five ways in which this ethic might be taken forward: developing our capacity to see beyond diagnoses, enhancing our responsiveness, focusing more fully on our client’s intelligibility, taking a lead in giving psychology away, and developing our evidence base. The paper concludes by suggesting that the key issue is not the survival of counselling psychology as a profession; but the survival, development and proliferation of this value-base.

Background: Violent political instability in countries such as Syria has seen the worldwide number of forcibly displaced people rise to levels not seen since World War 2, with over 150,000 asylum seekers and refugees hosted in the UK alone (UNHCR, 2015). Despite this figure, many UK residents have only a limited understanding of the experience of seeking asylum. Content & Focus: This article features a reflective account of the author’s experience of being in a relationship with an asylum seeker/refugee in the UK. It begins with the author’s reflections on the harsh asylum process and encourages those of us with a right to remain in the UK to consider how we would cope in such circumstances. Opportunities for personal and professional development that have arisen from the relationship are outlined, with particular emphasis on the experience of uncertainty and powerlessness. Finally, indignation at the inequalities faced by asylum seekers and refugees is presented as a catalyst for the development of a social justice agenda both within and beyond the therapy room. Conclusion: Being in a romantic relationship with an asylum seeker/refugee offers a unique vantage point to learn about the asylum process in depth. Furthermore, even such overtly challenging experiences can be transformed into opportunities for personal and professional growth, including the development of a social justice agenda in our counselling psychology practice.