Background: There has been a growing awareness of neurodiversity and individuals’ needs across various contexts, including therapy. However, in couples therapy involving neurodiverse couples (one partner autistic and one neurotypical), there is a limited understanding of how neurodiversity affects relationships. Existing studies often prioritise the experiences of neurotypical partners, adopting a ‘deficit’ focus that encourages the autistic partner to change their behavior while overlooking both partners’ lived experiences. Recent research indicates inadequate therapeutic support and a lack of understanding of neurodiverse couples’ neurological differences. To date, no studies have explored their subjective experiences and needs in couples therapy. This gap illustrates the need to examine their meaning-making from a counseling psychology perspective. Method: This study conducted six semi-structured remote interviews with neurodiverse couples, using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Findings: Three main superordinate themes emerged from the data: ‘Lack of knowledge of autism and support: Evaluating what is needed from couples therapy,’ ‘Being in couples therapy as a neurodiverse couple in a neurotypical world,’ and ‘Perceived outcomes of couples therapy.’ The findings reveal a general lack of understanding of neurodiversity and its impact, and the challenges of neurodiverse couples of navigating a neurotypical-dominated therapeutic environment. Discussion: Clinical implications include enhancing support for neurodiverse couples by accommodating their unique needs, such as differences in communication and emotional processing.

This paper explores co-creating meaning-making in narrative supervision with supervisees as a dynamic and collaborative process that brings together diverse roles, functions, and perspectives. To navigate these complexities effectively, supervisors must cultivate a safe collaborative environment that encourages open dialogue, curiosity, and co-learning. This paper presents a first-person account of integrating narrative therapy into my supervisory practice, highlighting its transformative impact on my relationships with supervisees and the development of shared understanding. I explore the historical context, core principles, and critiques of narrative therapy, as well as its practical applications in clinical supervision. Through this reflective account, I aim to contribute to the ongoing discourse on narrative approaches in supervision, emphasising the importance of practices that prioritise relational context. This paper invites counselling psychologists to reflect on the potential of narrative approaches in their own supervisory work and consider how they can be leveraged to meet the unique needs of their practice, thereby enriching the supervisory experience and fostering deeper connections with supervisees.

Context: The aim of the current paper is to provide an overview of the literature surrounding relational interventions and their relevance to neuropsychological rehabilitation following brain injury. Relational interventions are commonly applied within couples therapy where one partner has survived a traumatic brain injury, but the framework holds relevance to wider neuropsychological practice, moving away from the traditional ‘one-person psychology’ to a more diverse matrix composed of relational, social, cultural and universal forces upon the mind. From a reflexive standpoint, relationality is at the core of the reflective practitioner model that underpins the professional framework of counselling psychology (CoP) and is therefore an essential aspect of the science-practitioner model of a CoP in clinical neuropsychology. With clinical neuropsychology becoming a pathway for post-doctoral training for counselling psychologists for the first time in the UK, and with many counselling psychologists already practicing in this field, this paper explores the importance of relational practice within neurorehabilitation in the backdrop of epistemological barriers. Conclusion: Advances in psychodynamic neuroscience, neuropsychology and neuropsychoanalysis, have opened a new interdisciplinary dialogue that foregrounds the vital role of relational processes in neurorehabilitation. By mapping interpersonal dynamics onto brain function, this growing body of knowledge underscores how relational practice can enhance neural integration, promote psychological resilience, and support long-term functional outcomes. Relationally driven approaches are not merely supplemental to neurorehabilitation but are central to it, providing a powerful, evidence-informed pathway for recovery across all stages of the life span.

Aim: This paper details the design, implementation, and early evaluation of a tailored mentoring program for applied psychologists at Surrey and Borders Partnership (SABP) NHS Foundation Trust. The program aims to enhance both professional and personal development, improve job satisfaction, and support workforce retention. Background: Mentoring is linked to improved wellbeing, career progression, and professional identity among psychologists; however, structured mentoring opportunities within NHS psychology services remain inconsistent. SABP faces additional challenges due to workforce shortages, geographical spread, and cost-of-living pressures, highlighting the need for a customised mentoring approach. Method: A needs assessment survey of applied psychologists (n = 137) informed the development of a unique ‘5-Stars Mentoring Model,’ integrating principles from coaching, supervision, and systems-thinking frameworks. At the time of writing, forty-one psychologists (mentors: n = 20; mentees: n = 21) participated in a 12-month pilot programme. Mentors completed a CPD-accredited training session, and mentoring pairs met bi-monthly, supported by reflective journals, self-assessment tools, 360-degree feedback, and facilitated peer support sessions. Qualitative feedback was collected throughout the program. Results: Early findings suggest high levels of engagement and perceived value. Mentors initially experienced role-related anxiety, which decreased with peer support, while mentees described the mentoring as a psychologically safe developmental space. Peer groups played a crucial role in learning and refining the program. Conclusion: This program demonstrates the feasibility and value of structured mentoring in supporting the development, wellbeing, and retention of psychologists within an NHS context.

Background: This study set out to compare an integrative approach to therapy based on cognitive and psychodynamic principles with traditional cognitive behaviour therapy. Methods: 39 clients presenting to a university research clinic and meeting DSM V criteria for depression were randomly assigned to either cognitive psychodynamic or cognitive behavioural therapy with the PHQ9 scale used as the primary outcome measure. Findings: Both therapies resulted in significant reductions in PHQ9 scores from before to after therapy, and the magnitude of reduction was equivalent. Discussion: Cognitive psychodynamic therapy has equivalent efficacy to cognitive behaviour therapy and may be advantageous for clients where the roots of their depression are in early development.

Content & Focus: This paper aims to explore a number of key challenges raised by existential theory to the dominant assumptions, aims and practices within contemporary counselling psychology. It argues that the existential focus on relatedness significantly alters counselling psychology’s understanding of, and ways of perceiving individuals as well as the concerns that are brought to the therapeutic encounter.

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.