Personal Development for Smart People is a website written and designed by self-help author Steve Pavlina. It’s purpose is to help individuals grow as a conscious human being. The site contains hundreds of free articles that might be useful to therapists for their own personal development, and/or to give to clients who may be struggling with a particular issue or problem.
Modern digital technologies have raised many complex clinical, ethical and legal issues for psychotherapists, counsellors, MFTs, social workers, psychiatrists and other mental health care providers, as well as for clients, patients, and other consumers of mental health services. This paper addresses the issue of record keeping in regards to phone messages, email, and texting between clients and therapists. It does not address record-keeping for telehealth, tele-mental-health, phone therapy or e-therapy. The paper emphasizes, as with every electronic communication, the ramifications of text messaging, emails or online recording services on security, privacy, and confidentiality are not clear yet. Therapists must use caution, as well as informed consent, when using cutting-edge digital methods to communicate with clients and store such communications.
Psychotherapy.net have published an excellent article by Keely Kolmes, PsyD on the use of social networking sites Facebook and Twitter by counsellors and psychotherapists.
If you are new to online social networking, the article gives a good introduction and goes on to examine the pros and cons of using this medium to promote your services.
Gender variance is a term that refers to those expressions of gender (masculinity and femininity) that do not conform to the dominant gender norms of Western culture. It is a term used in the fields of psychology, psychiatry, anthropology, and gender studies, as well as advocacy groups of gender variant people themselves. It is deliberately broad, encompassing such specific terms as transsexual, transgender, transvestite, third gender, gender-queer, intersex, etc.
Solution-focused therapy is a brief therapeutic modality that focuses on what clients want to achieve through therapy rather than on the problem(s) that made them to seek help.
Below you will find 8 solution-focused therapy resources that might be useful for those who work using this approach.
Belfast BT9, Malone Road/Queen’s University area. Bright comfortable and well furnished room available to rent. Suitable for one to one, couples and small group. Intercom access; kitchen and bathroom facilities; waiting area. For availability and price contact mail@counsellingni.co.uk or 07713222509
BACP has launched a new section for student counsellors and psychotherapists at, providing a wealth of information and resources for those considering a career in counselling, currently training, or recently qualified. The new website can be found at: www.bacp.co.uk/student
In the Room (http://gandalwaven.typepad.com/intheroom/) is an online blog for discussion of psychotherapuetic technique and issues “in the room” rather than case or theoretical discussions. It is a useful resource to practitioners that challenges us to reflect on our practice and has many articles of interest. Other therapists and even some clients leave comments on each post which make for interesting feedback on the topics being discussed.
The Centre for Clinical Interventions (CCI) is an Australian-based organisation providing clinical services for adults with complex mental health problems. However, their organisation’s website at www.cci.health.wa.gov.au provides an excellent range of FREE resources (mainly CBT-based) for clients and therapists.
The resources include fully-downloadable workbooks on social anxiety, panic disorder, depression and sleeping problems, and are written in plain English.
Excellent, fully furnished, modern, therapy room available to rent on Sunnyside Street, Belfast for £20 per day – 9am-9pm (Monday and Wednesday available. Various other appointments may be available within price depending on room availability). Would suit Counsellor / Psychotherapist. Includes waiting room, kitchen and toilet. Free parking available. Contact Deborah on 0754 80 80 806 for further information.
