UKCP

UKCP is creating a new strategy to define and steer our work for the next three years. We want to create a strategy that captures a collective vision for UKCP and are currently engaging with members on key areas of UKCP’s work as well as topical issues likely to impact the profession. We asked writer, broadcaster and speaker, David Baker, who has written and spoken about artificial intelligence (A...

How can you build a psychotherapeutic career working with dreams? In this episode, Emily Bridges, our head of content and engagement, talks to UKCP psychotherapist Dave Billington. When it came to pursuing a career in psychotherapy, Dave explored his long-standing interest in dreams, pursuing training that allowed him to explore this psychotherapeutic way of working.  His experience, interest and...

When someone is struggling with disordered eating, it affects both the individual and their family.  In this episode, UKCP psychotherapist and eating disorder specialist Gladys Ellis talks with Martha Williams, the senior clinical advice coordinator for Beat, the UK's leading eating disorder charity.  Gladys and Martha discuss Beat's efforts to break down stereotypes of eating disorders in society...

How can you find work opportunities and follow your passion?   In this episode, Emily Bridges, our head of content and engagement, talks to UKCP psychotherapist Gladys Ellis.  Working in the NHS as a mental health nurse, Gladys decided to pursue psychotherapeutic training to support young people and their families. After qualifying, she worked in an NHS CAHMS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Se...

Exploring yourself through psychotherapy can lead you to transform your life.  In this episode Helen Willingham, our head of content and engagement, talks to UKCP psychotherapist Richard Hughes.  After a 25-year career in the TV industry and owning his own production company, Richard began experiencing an existential crisis which led him to psychotherapy. He later became inspired to make this his...

How can a psychotherapist use social media in their career? In this episode Helen Willingham, our head of content and engagement, talks to UKCP psychotherapist Tasha Bailey.  An author, speaker and social media influencer, Tasha specialises childhood wounds, healing, and self-love. In this episode Tasha looks at her career and how social media led her to a book deal. Her new book, titled Real Talk...

What leads a psychotherapeutic professional into research?  In this episode Helen Willingham, our head of content and engagement, talks to UKCP psychotherapist Melissa Cliffe. Melissa had always felt drawn to the psychological profession, and after immersing herself in a career in the marketing, she felt it was time to exploring psychotherapeutic training. In her professional journey, Melissa beca...

Looking forward to new opportunities and interests can take your career in any direction.  In this episode Helen Willingham, our head of content and engagement, talks to UKCP psychotherapist Siobhán McGee. Siobhán looks back at the skills and experience she gained working with organisations and co-consulting alongside colleagues, that ultimately led her into leadership. ‘If you’re working with tra...

How can a newly qualified member benefit from working in an organisation? In this episode Helen Willingham, our head of content and engagement, talks to UKCP psychotherapist Victoria Dada. Victoria looks back at her career and why she decided to start out in the NHS before setting up her own private practice during the pandemic.  ‘As we all know, the NHS is a well-established organisation. It also...

How can working in organisations help you grow your private practice?  In this episode Helen Willingham, our head of content and engagement, talks to UKCP psychotherapist Lisa Bruton. Helen speaks to Lisa about her work with first responders and how she balanced her organisational work whilst working in private practice.  Lisa reflects on how she balanced her work between settings and how her work...

How can organisations work more therapeutically?  In this episode Helen Willingham, our head of content and engagement, talks to UKCP psychotherapist Hendrix Hammond. Motivated by his passion to work with people led Hendrix to pursue a career in psychotherapy.  Alongside his clinical work as a family and systemic psychotherapist, Hendrix began consulting with organisations, and their staff, on div...

In this episode, Helen Willingham, head of content and engagement, talks to UKCP member Melinda Powell. Melinda reflects on what drew her to the profession and dream work, and what led her to transition into the non-clinical aspect of psychotherapeutic work.  ‘If you’re making that change from clinical to non-clinical, make haste slowly. There’s no rush, take your time. What I did do is phase out...

You don’t have to sacrifice your personal joy and self-care to succeed in the long term.  In this episode, Helen Willingham, head of content and engagement, talks to UKCP psychotherapist Luq Adejumo. Luq shares how he balanced training and full-time work while pursuing a career in psychotherapy that would allow him more autonomy.  Luq reflects on his training and how he went about setting up his o...

Evolving as a psychotherapist may mean changing how you practice and finding where your passion lies.  In this episode, Helen Willingham, head of content and engagement, talks to UKCP psychotherapist Lou Lebentz.  Lou reflects on what drew her from fashion and radio into psychotherapy, and her more recent desire to pursue public speaking, writing, programme creation and training in trauma-informed...

How can a psychotherapist overcome the hurdles in establishing their client base in a new location?  In this episode, Helen Willingham, Head of Content and Engagement, talks to UKCP psychotherapist Alessio Rizzo. Alessio looks at his entrance into the therapy profession and how he brought in his background in education to inform and shape his psychotherapeutic work.  🎙️Have you listened to our pod...

How can a psychotherapist navigate the financial constraints of training? In this episode, Helen Willingham, Head of Content and Engagement, talks to UKCP psychotherapist Josephine Discepolo Ahmadi. Navigating the logistics of training and working, with her disability, Josephine looks back at how she began her psychotherapeutic career.  Stay tuned to find out about Josephine’s transition from an a...

Why should therapists represent the communities they serve? In this episode, Helen Willingham, UKCP’s Head of Content and Engagement, talks to UKCP psychotherapist Eugene Ellis. He looks back at why he entered training and what promoted his to set up the Black, African and Asian Therapy Network. An organisation which aims to encourage people of African, South Asian and Caribbean heritages to proac...

Welcome to this special edition UKCP podcast with UKCP chair Azmat and UKCP member John Paul Davis, who are discussing the upcoming General Meeting. Azmat will discuss the proposals from the Board, provide some rationale and context around the General Meeting and voting.  We hope that this podcast provides more information about the General Meeting, the rationale and the resolutions. And now to in...

What are UKCP’s proposed strategic proprieties for the coming years? In this podcast, UKCP Chair Syed Azmatullah speaks to members about the draft plans for UKCP’s future priorities. 

How can psychotherapists support organisations to reduce bias and promote a more diverse environment?  Aileen began her career as a psychiatric and general nurse, moving into senior management within a psychotherapeutic resident community. Her mental health work led her to train as a counsellor. Her desire to continue learning more led her to psychotherapy and later a doctorate.  Now working as a...

Why is it important for a therapist to have a diverse workload?  Prior to training as a psychotherapist, Lorna worked in video games, technology and television for 20 years.  Now working as a psychotherapist and trauma-informed yoga teacher, Lorna seeks to integrate psychotherapy, the body, breathing and movement to help people experiencing trauma, anxiety, and depression. In this podcast, Lorna s...

In this podcast, Helen talks to UKCP psychotherapist Martin Weaver about his work during the 80s AIDS epidemic and the London Bombings, providing psychological support for those in times of extreme crisis.  Martin looks back at his journey through the NHS as a HIV Prevention Co-ordinator, where he began the initial stage of training in psychotherapy. He reveals how he navigated the cost and logist...

Why is it important for psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors to reflect the communities they serve? Sharing what you hold deeply can be very difficult. So, having psychological support from someone who represents aspects of who you are can make healing much easier.  ‘I think if we come across as a profession that includes the full range of diversity that we see within the population,...

How can community-based psychotherapeutic work help people affected by trauma? Anyone can experience trauma. Sexual violence can trigger intense responses that we might recognise as trauma or post-traumatic stress. UKCP psychotherapist Erene Hadjiioannou utilises her specialist skill set to help people of any gender overcome the trauma they may have experienced.  ‘In terms of community-based work,...

How can you balance voluntary work with private practice?  Working to enact change on prescribed drug dependence, UKCP psychotherapist Anne Guy shares her time between sitting on the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Prescribed Drug Dependence and on an NHS advisory group. In this episode, Anne talks about the balance between her voluntary work and private practice, and offers advice to those seek...