The Impact of Patriarchy on Mother Daughter Relationships
Understanding Intergenerational Trauma and Mother-Daughter Attachment Patterns in Patriarchal Society Therapeutic Insights by Turiya Martyn Gough Historical Foundations A century ago, psychoanalyst Karen Horney¹ identified the distinct relationship between mothers and daughters, and shortly after, Murray Bowen² discovered multigenerational family-of-origin patterns. Horney challenged the male-dominated theoretical approach, while Bowen emphasised transgenerational family patterns. However, these […]
What to Expect in Your First Counselling Session:
A Guide to Easing Pre-Session Anxiety Article authored by ISPC You’ve made the decision. You’ve searched for therapists, checked their credentials, and finally booked that first appointment. And now, the anxiety has kicked in. What exactly happens in a first counselling session? Will you be forced to talk about things you’re not ready to discuss? […]
Signs You May Need Therapy
Recognising When to Seek Professional Help Article authored by ISPC As we navigate the complexities of mid-2026, the conversation surrounding mental health has never been more open, yet the threshold for seeking professional help remains confusing for many. Between the lingering effects of global uncertainties, the ongoing cost-of-living pressures, and the pervasive fatigue of our […]
Self Disclosure in Counselling
A Personal Self Reflection from a Counsellor Article authored by Ronald Davis I was prompted to write this reflection following a discussion in supervision with a trainee counsellor in their final year of placement. The trainee disclosed using personal self-disclosure in their first session with a client, believing that it would build rapport and demonstrate […]
The Shape of Counselling to Come:
A Future Built on Inclusion, Neurodiversity, and Authentic Connection Article authored by the ISPC Counselling in the UK is at a turning point. After decades shaped by rigid diagnostic models, standardised interventions, and an often unspoken assumption of neurotypicality, the profession is beginning to transform. Driven by lived experience, social justice movements, and a growing […]
Considering a Career in Counselling or Psychotherapy?
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Starting in the UK Article authored by the ISPC If you’ve ever felt drawn to support others through life’s toughest moments—or help people uncover their strengths, heal from trauma, or live more authentically—you may be perfectly suited to a career in counselling or psychotherapy. Across the UK, demand for ethical, skilled […]
What Happens in a Typical Counselling Session?
A practical guide to what you’ll experience—and how different approaches shape the process Article authored by the ISPC Many people consider counselling but hesitate because they don’t know what to expect. Will they be told what to do? Will they have to relive painful memories? The reality is more grounded: a counselling session is a […]
Counselling & Neurodiversity
Understanding Neurodiversity in Counselling: Article authored by the ISPC In recent years, awareness of neurodiversity has grown significantly across the UK. More individuals are recognising that neurological differences—such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, Tourette’s, and sensory processing variations—are not disorders to be “fixed,” but natural expressions of human diversity. Within this evolving landscape, the role of […]
What 2026 Holds for Counsellors:
How ISPC Empowers Ethical, Future-Focused Practice Article authored by the ISPC A New Year, A Renewed Commitment to Ethical Counselling As we step into 2026, the landscape of mental health support continues to evolve. Rising demand for accessible, ethical, and trauma-informed care places counsellors at the heart of community wellbeing. For members of the International […]
When a Client Asks for Multiple Sessions a Week
Navigating Need, Ethics, and Boundaries in ISPC-Aligned Practice Article authored by the ISPC What Does The Ask Reveal? In the quiet rhythm of private practice, few requests disrupt the therapeutic frame as significantly—or as meaningfully—as when a client asks: “Can we meet more than once a week?” At first glance, it may seem like a […]
Relationship Counselling – My Practice
Rebuilding Trust, Communication, and Connection Article written by Cathy Stones Healing Together: A Compassionate Guide to Relationship Counselling Relationships are one of life’s greatest sources of joy—and sometimes, of deep pain. Whether you’ve been together for decades or are navigating the early stages of a new partnership, every couple faces challenges that test their connection. […]
Why Your Counselling Website Is Your Most Important Ethical Tool in 2026
“Your Website Isn’t Just Seen—It’s Experienced. Make Ethics Your First Impression.” Article authored by the ISPC Your Website Is Your Ethical Front Door In a profession built on trust, clarity, and informed choice, your counselling website is far more than a digital business card or a marketing asset. In 2026, it is—quite rightly—your most important […]
A Therapist’s Perspective on Self-Care
Nurturing Your Well-being as an ISPC Member Article authored by the ISPC Introduction: Why Self-Care is Non-Negotiable for ISPC Members In the demanding world of counselling and psychotherapy, where ISPC members dedicate themselves to supporting others through their most challenging times, the concept of self-care is not merely a luxury; it is a professional imperative. As counsellors, student counsellors, and other […]
When Clients Cancel Last Minute—Again
How Private Practising Counsellors Can Respond with Clarity and Care (Balancing compassion with boundaries in private counselling practice—without resentment or burnout) Article authored by the ISPC If you’re a private practising counsellor in the UK—whether you’re based in Manchester, Lincoln, London, or supporting clients online—you’ve likely faced this: the text that arrives 20 minutes before […]
Interview with a Psychologist and Integrative Psychotherapist
ISPC Interview: Guest: Dr. Ben Allenden, Counselling Psychologist, Integrative Psychotherapist, and Clinical Supervisor (SA) Article authored by the ISPC Introducing Our Conversation with Dr. Ben Allenden In an era when mental health discourse often oscillates between oversimplification and abstraction, it is vital to return to the grounded, thoughtful heart of therapeutic practice. In this exclusive […]
Engage, Share and Co-Create
The ISPC isn’t just a membership—it’s a living community. And it grows when you step in, speak up, and collaborate. Article authored by the ISPC Engage, Share and Co-Create When therapists join a Membership body they often expect a receipt, a membership certificate, and maybe a few resources. What they don’t always anticipate is an […]
Walk and Talk Therapy in the 21st Century
What Is Walk and Talk Therapy? Article authored by the ISPC Walk and talk therapy is a simple yet powerful approach that’s gaining momentum across the UK. Instead of sitting face-to-face in a traditional counselling room, client and therapist walk side-by-side through a park, woodland path, or quiet urban trail while talking. This gentle movement, […]
The Cost of Living and Counselling Fees
The UK’s cost of living crisis, defined by escalating inflation and economic instability, has profoundly impacted mental health and the accessibility of vital support services like counselling. Article authored by the ISPC For many already facing mental health challenges, the crisis has intensified anxieties and financial strain, creating a vicious cycle where the very support […]
All You Need Is Love
The phenomenon of unconditional love, its transpersonal nature and its role in healing within the therapeutic relationship Article authored by the Turiya Martyn Gough FISPC Despite a mountain of well-researched evidence confirming that as little as one per cent of beneficial outcomes from psychotherapeutic counselling are attributable to a specific theoretical technique1, and that untrained […]
Why Private Practice Counsellors Are Choosing ISPC
Ethics, Affordability & Real Support – You’re definitely not alone Article authored by the ISPC If you run a private counselling practice in the UK or abroad, you know the reality: you’re not just a therapist — you’re also your own admin team, marketeer, compliance officer, web designer and business strategist. You need a professional […]