How We Care: Recent Episodes
Elizabeth Turp and Paul Gaunt
‘How We Care’ is a series of monthly collaborative conversations between helping professionals for people who care, counsel, guide, or coach for a living (or may want to in the future). We consider what this takes, the challenges, how best to look after our own wellbeing and ways to develop our effectiveness. With combined experience in their fields of nearly 60 years, Paul and Elizabeth are passionate about what they do and the interactions they have with their clients. With guest conversationalists from other disciplines, this is ‘How We Care’!
Elizabeth and Paul reflect on their current projects - writing a book and navigating semi-retirement - asking each other about their meaning, origins and challenges. As usual, there are strong parallel themes for our hosts - in this episode the importance of acceptance and how everything has lead us to this point!
Elizabeth's book 'Resources for chronically ill professionals in private practice' covers planning, pacing, embedded wellbeing and dealing with challenges in PP while living with fatigue and pain. Connect on LinkedIn or follow the @howwecarepodcast Instagram to hear more.
Other relevant episodes of the podcast:
Episode 6 Turning Our Scars Into Service https://how-we-care.simplecast.com/episodes/how-we-care-episode-6-turning-our-scars-into-service
Episode 25 The impact of Beliefs on Clients and Practitioners
https://how-we-care.simplecast.com/episodes/how-we-care-episode-25-the-impact-of-beliefs-on-clients-and-practitioners
Episode 21 Transitions in Life and Work https://how-we-care.simplecast.com/episodes/how-we-care-episode-21-transitions-in-life-and-work
Episode 31 The Importance of Space & Place https://how-we-care.simplecast.com/episodes/how-we-care-episode-31-the-importance-of-space-and-place
Episode 32 Midlife Challenge and change https://how-we-care.simplecast.com/episodes/how-we-care-episode-32-midlife-challenge-and-change
Elizabeth and special guest person-centred counsellor Natalie Rodil discuss their experiences in the counselling profession while living with chronic illness. They describe their journeys to getting support, learning self-management and the ongong challenges of both organisational and private practice work. Their experiences as mid-career and early career therapist respectively highlight some useful points about needs, policy and rights and for those of you managing others some clear examples of the how to support employees with chronic conditions. See show notes for further resources.
You can find Natalie Rodil on Twitter @NatalieRodil
Episodes 3 & 5 of this podcast focus on self-care for practitioners, epsiode 11 is about dealing with work and illness, particularly new health challenges.
Equality Act 2010 reasonable adjustments legislation: https://www.acas.org.uk/reasonable-adjustments
For comprehensive resource on Pacing for chronic illness: https://www.elizabethturp.co.uk/phdi/p1.nsf/supppages/6083?opendocument∂=9
Elizabeth reads her recent article on what the Salt Path book scandal tells us about how society views chronic illness and disability. Aiming to raise awareness and understanding of living with chronic illness in her writing, this episode is for those of you living with a chronic condition and those who care about or are supporting people who are disabled by illness. Better understanding myths about healing and the fear-driven self-protective thinking that happens for those free of ongoing health challenges can help us avoid the divisions and misunderstandings that can occur.
To read the article: https://elizabethturp.co.uk/archived-articles
See also episode 2: https://how-we-care.simplecast.com/episodes/how-we-care-no2-the-problem-with-positive-thinking
episode 14: https://how-we-care.simplecast.com/episodes/how-we-care-episode-14-why-we-all-need-to-know-the-truth-about-long-coviid
Paul and Elizabeth discuss how badly behaved, even abusive, collegues can impact our careers, mental health and motivation. They consider how workplace culture and the wider world can support these harms and what you can do to deal with it.
Dr Katherine Hubbard's blog post, as quoted in this episode, is here
https://katharinehubbard.blog/2026/01/20/toxic-people-failing-upwards-universities-must-do-better/
For benefits of joining a union: https://www.tuc.org.uk/why-join-union
Elizabeth Turp and Paul Gaunt take on the vast subject of the challenges of midlife: loss, grief, illness, frustration, stress, caring responsibilities, retirement, etc and consider how this time of life often brings reflection on how we want the rest of our lives to be. At two different stages of midlife, your hosts discuss what they have dealt with, how they have managed work during challening times and how they help others going through this complex time to live more authentically. So if you are a helper who has midlife clients, or a person aged 45 and up who wants some help to improve your quality of life or make some big decisions, this episode is for you.
Article: Midlife Challenge and Change by host Elizabeth Turp for more on how therapy can help with this life stage: https://elizabethturp.co.uk/articles
Get in touch to arrange an introductory call if you would like to discuss getting some help for you.
Episode 10: Can AI replace us:
https://how-we-care.simplecast.com/episodes/how-we-care-episode-10-can-ai-replace-us
Show notes:
Living and working in the place that Carl Jung called ‘the ‘pool of life’, their chosen rather than birth city, Elizabeth and Paul are fascinated by the importance of place both to their own lives and to their clients wellbeing, lives & choices. We consider how identity and memory relate to space and place both in the world and the therapy room. Paul talks about his research on this topic. Listen for another fascinating conversation.
Podcast on digital nomad lifestyle Jordan Harbinger Show: https://www.jordanharbinger.com/digital-nomads-skeptical-sunday/
Our episode on surviving as a helping professional in a time of fear & division:
https://how-we-care.simplecast.com/episodes/how-we-care-episode-26-surviving-as-a-helping-professional-in-a-time-of-fear-hate-and-global-crisis
Our episode 'Do we love our clients' https://how-we-care.simplecast.com/episodes/how-we-care-episode-22-do-we-love-our-clients
The Story of the Polish Soil
- When Chopin left Poland at the age of 20, his teacher reportedly gave him an urn containing Polish soil, which he kept until his death.
- While the idea of Chopin carrying the soil might be apocryphal, the story reflects his deep connection to his homeland and continued patriotism throughout his life, despite his exile.
From Google AI Overview
Episode 30: Is helping a creative act?
Elizabeth & Paul talk about creativity in therapy, counselling, teaching and social work. They look at how confidence, experience, authenticity, adaptability and individualisation lead to successful and creative collaborative work with clients.
The following previous episodes are mentioned in the discussion.
Ep The Courage of the Person-Centred Approach
https://how-we-care.simplecast.com/episodes/how-we-care-episode-8-the-courage-of-the-person-centrered-approach
Ep Helping clients gain clarity and shift perspective:
https://how-we-care.simplecast.com/episodes/how-we-care-episode-13-helping-clients-gain-clarity-and-shift-perspective
Mentioned in the episode
The Artists Way, Julia Cameron course to help you unlock creativity:
https://juliacameronlive.com/
Also mentioned in the episode
Flow State definition: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/flow
Elizabeth and Paul discuss the Stoics' idea of not needing or seeking 'the third thing', with the first thing being giving someone beneficial help, the second thing being the benefits they gain from it, and the third thing being getting praise and recognition for it. The stoic belief is that the first two things should be enough. n.b. this is not an argument for us not giving praise and recognition to others when appropriate, but more to highlight that sometimes we can get attached in a less than healthy way to our good work being recognised.
The original idea for this episode was inspired by the following article Daily Stoic inspiriation for episode https://dailystoic.com/you-do-not-need-this/
and the writings of the Stoic Philosopher and Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius
Several previous episodes are cross-referenced in the discussion including Episode 9- Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Episode 17-Keeping up with Social Change as a Helping Professional, and also multiple episodes on on practitioner wellbeing and self-care
Episode 28: When to Stop Saying Yes
Elizabeth and Paul discuss how beliefs, social pressure, people pleasing and self image can affect our ability to make choices about the demands made of us at work and in relationship. They reflect on the changes they have experienced at different life stages and health challenges. They consider strategies you can try to shift from taking on too much to putting your own wellbeing into your decision making process, freeing up energy and time.
Article referred to about the origens of people pleasing and narcissim: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/peaceful-parenting/202101/the-one-thing-narcissists-and-people-pleasers-may-have-in-common
Previous relevant episodes:
Ep 27: Burnout and Rustout https://how-we-care.simplecast.com/episodes/how-we-care-episode-27-burnout-and-rustout
Ep 25: The impact of beliefs on clients and practitioners https://how-we-care.simplecast.com/episodes/how-we-care-episode-25-the-impact-of-beliefs-on-clients-and-practitioners
Connect with us on LinkedIn for information on upcoming episodes and discussion.
Elizabeth and Paul take a lucky dip approach to the card resource '50 Acts of Professional Self-Care' developed by Siobhan McLean of Kirwin Mc Lean Associates and Self-Care Psychology and pull out some cards at random to prompt discussion.
More information on this resource is available via Twitter @SelfCarePsy, via facebook @selfcarepsychology or at selfcarepsychology.com
Two exercises mentioned at the end and drawn from the above resource are:
The Equal Breathing Exercise
Equalising breathing can calm the body and mind very effectively, and can be great to do at times of stress. It is taken from the Yoga tradition where it is known as Sama-Vritti, and also backed by scientific observation.
To prepare you can lie down, sit up straight, or stand up straight, then;
- Breathe in through your nose for a count of 4
- Pause
- Exhale for a count of 4
- Repeat for a few minutes, or as long as you feel comfortable.
The Passive Progressive Relaxation Exercise
Used to help people achieve deep relaxation. It can be done at work (e.g. at your desk). For best results it is best to lie flat, however. The best way to experience this is via a recording, and there are may versions of the exercise available free online (e.g. on YouTube) You will be guided through each area of your body, relaxing each as you progress through the exercise.
If you’d like to find our more or obtain a transcript of this episode, contact Elizabeth via www.elizabethturp.co.uk or Paul paulgaunt2@gmail.com
The opening passage read by Paul is from a LinkedIn post written by Colin Newlyn (Decrapify Work) posted 17/10/24. Colins insights into workplace culture and employee well-being are well worth checking out. You can find more here https://decrapifywork.substack.com/
Later on Paul quotes from a linked in post by Chance Marshall from 18/10/24 regarding the new UK Labour governments plans to 'encourage' people with serious mental illness intro work.
Check out our many related episodes on self-care for helping professionals and Episode
25 on how our beliefs affect our work.
https://how-we-care.simplecast.com/episodes/how-we-care-episode-25-the-impact-of-beliefs-on-clients-and-practitioners
The Harpers Bazzar article on rustout mentioned in this episode is here: https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/beauty/mind-body/a43695947/rust-out/
A couple more interesting articles on Rustout are here
https://www.stylist.co.uk/life/careers/rust-out-signs-impact-mental-health/761502
https://www.maddyness.com/uk/2024/01/15/rust-out-the-warning-signs-and-what-to-do-about-them/
Therapist Burnout Podcast: Mental Health, Business, and Career Tips for Therapists, Counselors, & Psychologists Why Is Therapist Burnout Different?
Burnout is something almost every profession deals with, but for therapists, it hits differently. We’re not just exhausted from the long hours or the endless paperwork—it’s the emotional weight of holding space for others, the vicarious trauma we take on, and the unrelenting pressure to be “okay” so we can keep helping our clients
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/therapist-burnout-podcast-mental-health-business-and/id1698139097?i=1000672036990
Overthinking About Burnout Magical Overthinkers Podcast
Chronically stressed? Emotionally exhausted? Depleted to the point of physical suffering, dissociation, and paranoia that things will never improve? Burnout, which is not just fatigue or boredom but rather what happens when our bodies fail to complete the "stress response cycle." That's according to our guest, Amelia Nagoksi, co-author of the bestselling book Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle.
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/magical-overthinkers/id1745220403?i=1000660279335
Elizabeth and Paul discuss coping with the recent extreme events in the UK and worldwide as a helper and how love, connection, community and openness to understanding can help us take care of ourselves and our clients during challenging times.
Read more about Imam Adam Kelwick and Nan's Against Nazis here:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/aug/08/ice-cream-nans-against-nazis-uplifting-acts-face-far-right-riots
Also see this short YouTube video 'Why a Liverpool Imam reached out to far-right rioters outside his mosque'.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23FuOgGZqkM&list=WL&index=8
Episode 17 of this podcast with guest Therapists Connect founder Dr Peter Blundell discusses the importance of how we engage with social issues
https://how-we-care.simplecast.com/episodes/episode-17-keeping-up-with-social-change-as-a-helping-professional-the-importance-of-challenging-cpd
For Elizabeth's articles on Long Covid: https://www.elizabethturp.co.uk/archived-articles
David Byrne's 'Reasons to Be Cheerful' project as mentioned in the podcast: https://reasonstobecheerful.world/
In episode 25 of How We Care Elizabeth & Paul talk about how client's beliefs about themselves, practitioners beliefs about their work and their own personal beliefs can impact progress and effectiveness and how to address this. Drawing on evolutionary theory and the neuroscience of fear, considering why helping is a political act and social context matters, this conversation goes far and wide into the complexity of individual belief systems.
Article available soon:
Why therapist curiosity and openness matter in a changing world
https://www.elizabethturp.co.uk/articles
Earlier episode referred to in this one: Ep 23: Keeping it Human: The impact of dehumanising systems on well-being
https://how-we-care.simplecast.com/episodes/how-we-care-episode-23-keeping-it-human-the-impact-of-dehumanising-systems-on-well-being
For counsellors: Check out Good Enough Counsellors Facebook group run by Josephine Hughes for a safe space to discuss practice issues.
In this episode we consider the ways in which good listening underpins effective helping and our wider interactions in everyday life. We discuss the behaviours that signify good listening, and identify some of the factors that can interfere with deep listening, such as fatigue and intrusive thoughts.
We reflect back on our very first episode 'Being with Emotions in Helping Conversations' which featured examples of what good listening actually is and how we can be more present with difficult feelings when they come up in non-therapy helping interactions.
https://how-we-care.simplecast.com/episodes/how-we-care-no1-being-with-emotions-in-helping-conversations
Also, you might want to check out episodes 3, 5 and 18 of How We Care for self-care for the practitioner and episode 12 for self-awareness for helping professionals. https://how-we-care.simplecast.com/episodes
In the Assembly BBC programme, with a diverse group of people asking the actor/director
Michael Sheen questions - he listens with patience and makes space for their differing communication styles.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001xyj5/the-assembly
Elizabeth and Paul consider the impact of dehumanising systems on well-being, both in the workplace and wider society. They also discuss some of the ways in which helping professions can support clients/patients/customers etc through the effects of these dehumanising systems.
The powerful ITV drama about the post office scandal discussed in this episode is linked to below;
https://www.itv.com/watch/mr-bates-vs-the-post-office/10a0469/10a0469a0001
A link is made in this episode to a previous episode of the How We Care Episode 'Turning Scars into Service'. We make the point that often people who experience dehumanising treatment, are often strengthened in their resolve to prevent it happening to themselves again, or to others, or strengthened in their empathy and understanding when it does happen.
Timpsons is mentioned as an example of a positive company culture and the link below is an article by their CEO, James Timpson
https://gunnercooke.com/is-culture-really-that-important-with-james-timpson-ceo-of-timpson/
Any thoughts or comments on this episode? Or themes you would like us to cover?
Contact us via LinkedIn
Elizabeth’s Profilelinkedin.com/in/elizabeth-turp-11a90035
Paul's Profilelinkedin.com/in/paul-gaunt-bbb02874
Elizabeth and Paul discuss whether they love their clients, the different types of love experienced in human connection, what love means in helping conversations and the effect that attentive, accepting, warm, therapeutic relationships can have on clients and why this is the case. They also consider potential problems within meaningful professional helping relationships and how to address them.
Ancient Greek Words for Love: https://www.greecehighdefinition.com/blog/9-different-types-of-love-according-to-the-ancient-greeks
James Frey 'A Million Little Pieces' novel: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Million_Little_Pieces
“At the end of the day people won't remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
The therapeutic relationship as determinant of outcome: https://therapymeetsnumbers.com/the-therapeutic-alliance/
Episode 21: Transitions in Work and Life: how do big changes in life (parenthood, retirement, loss, redundancy, ill health, etc) impact us and what can be useful to know about coping with changes to our roles, whether chosen or imposed on us.
Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) and role transitions from article in the Clinical Psychology Review: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4109031/
Previous relevant episodes of How We Care referred to in this episode:
Episodes 3, 5, 18
Episode 8: The Courage of the Person-Centred Approach
with best wishes,
Rehare of our first, and second most downloaded, episode
Dr Oliver Jenkin's article Engaging with the emotional content of career guidance can be found at
https://indigo.careers/engaging-with-the-emotional-content-of-career-guidance/
A good explanation of Carl Rogers' Core Conditions of congruence in counselling is here
https://medium.com/achology/carl-rogers-and-the-core-conditions-of-counselling-a87167028905
An article by Charles Handy on the concept of 'Proper Selfishness is at http://spiritualityandjustice.brahmakumaris.org/images/stories/articles/SiP_Article_Proper_Selfishness.pdf
There's an article from Psychology Today on Radical Self-Care here https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/peaceful-parents-happy-kids/201401/committing-radical-self-care#:~:text=%20Committing%20to%20Radical%20Self-Care%20%201%20Nurture,to%20you.%20Do%20you%20need%20some...%20More%20
If you’d like to find our more or obtain a transcript of this episode, contact Elizabeth via www.elizabethturp.co.uk Twitter at @lizahpool or Paul at www.paulgaunt.co uk Twitter at @paulgoodwork
Reshare: Episode 3: Self-Care for Helping Professionals, part 1.
Want to start the new season with good habits for your own wellbeing? We have plenty of ideas for self- reflection on possibly the How We Care Podcasts most important topic: Practitioner Wellbeing.
Elizabeth and Paul discuss their best self-care hacks, as well as some of the ways in which helping professionals can neglect caring for themselves because of a focus on prioritising the needs of those they help, and how that can be counterproductive for our own-well-being.
See also: Episode 5: Self-Care for Helping Professionals, part 2,
Episode 18: Acts of Self-Care for Helping Professionals.
With special guest Dave Wood Phd: illustrator & graphic designer, educator, researcher, author and course leader at Dundee University. Elizabeth and Dave discuss the informal but vital role of supporting people in educational settings through emotional challenges and mental health, what this takes and how to take care of yourself while doing so. We consider the lifelong learning, curiosity, creativity, authenticity and acceptance involved in our work.
Find out more about Dave’s work at Scouse Scot https://scouse.scot/
Complimentary episodes of How We Care:
Episode 1: Being with Emotions in Helping Conversations: Elizabeth and Paul discuss the core conditions for being present and supportive when clients express strong emotions such as fear, anger, or grief in helping conversations. They also explore how helping professionals can protect themselves from absorbing difficult emotions when helping clients through tough times.
https://how-we-care.simplecast.com/episodes/how-we-care-no1-being-with-emotions-in-helping-conversations
Episode 6: Turning our Scars into Service: Elizabeth and Paul discuss the idea that as helping professionals our most difficult life events (e.g. illness, loss, life changes) can be used to deepen our empathy for clients and sharpen our effectiveness as a helper.
https://how-we-care.simplecast.com/episodes/how-we-care-episode-6-turning-our-scars-into-service
Episode 9: Combatting Imposter Syndrome
Paul talks with special guest Sally Beyer, careers coach and expert on Imposter Syndrome about her work helping medical professionals combat imposter syndrome, some tried and tested strategies for dealing with imposter feelings when they arise, and some useful resources to find out more.
https://how-we-care.simplecast.com/episodes/how-we-care-ep-9-combatting-imposter-syndrome
Explore all our episodes for more on practitioner wellbeing and person-centred working.
https://how-we-care.simplecast.com/
Here is a link to a full transcript of Episode 19
https://www.elizabethturp.co.uk/phdi/p1.nsf/supppages/6083?opendocument∂=7
Engaging in reflective practice can help you to;
-
Evaluate your strengths and areas for development as a practitioner in your field
-
Identify your core professional values and ways to incorporate them into your practice
-
Develop your plans for your own continuous professional development (CPD)
-
Develop a better understanding of the perspectives of clients and colleagues
-
Increase your effectiveness and employability in your field.
Taken from the Coventry University MA Career Development and Management course resources.
Here are some definitions you may find helpful;
Reflection - Engagement in a deliberate mental process of thinking about, or contemplating, things that have happened, what was experienced and learned, from our own and from others' points of view. Reflection here means looking beneath the surface to find the truth about something, to draw conclusions for building new knowledge.
Reflexivity - Reflexivity is the process of 'stepping back' from a situation we are involved in, for a 'helicopter view' of ourselves. Here we examine ourselves to gauge our values, assumptions, behaviour and relationships, and thereby monitor our learning and develop our intra-personal and inter-personal skills (equating to self-management, and external relationships).
Critical Reflection - Critical Reflection is the adoption of a questioning stance to solve problems, challenge the 'status quo' and examine our own assumptions. This extends to consideration of wider socio-political perspectives and other relevant diverse contexts, theory and professional activity.
Reflective Practice - Reflective Practice is the use of self-analysis to understand, evaluate and interpret events and experiences in which we are involved. This extends to being able to form a theoretical view or analysis, as would allow clear explanation to others, if required. The process of Reflective Practice seeks to enable insights and aid learning for new personal understanding, knowledge, and action, to enhance our self-development and our professional performance.
From: https://www.businessballs.com/self-awareness/reflective-practice/
Here is quick and easy introduction to reflective practice and it’s benefits
Reflective Practice | SkillsYouNeed
If you’d like to delve deeper into reflective practice, here is a free ten-session Open Learning course from Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Syllabus | Reflective Practice: An Approach for Expanding Your Learning Frontiers | Urban Studies and Planning | MIT OpenCourseWare
If you’d like to find our more or obtain a transcript of this episode, contact Elizabeth via www.elizabethturp.co.uk Twitter at @lizahpool or Paul at www.paulgaunt.co uk or email paulgaunt2@gmail.com
You can also find us on Twitter at @howwecarepod
Elizabeth and Paul take a lucky dip approach to the card resource '50 Acts of Professional Self-Care developed by Siobhan McLean of Kirwin Mc Lean Associates and Self-Care Psychology and pull out some cards at random to prompt discussion.
More information on this resource is available via Twitter @SelfCarePsy, via facebook @selfcarepsychology or at selfcarepsychology.com
Two exercises mentioned at the end and drawn from the above resource are:
The Equal Breathing Exercise
Equalising breathing can calm the body and mind very effectively, and can be great to do at times of stress. It is taken from the Yoga tradition where it is known as Sama-Vritti, and also backed by scientific observation.
To prepare you can lie down, sit up straight, or stand up straight, then;
- Breathe in through your nose for a count of 4
- Pause
- Exhale for a count of 4
- Repeat for a few minutes, or as long as you feel comfortable.
The Passive Progressive Relaxation Exercise
Used to help people achieve deep relaxation. It can be done at work (e.g. at your desk). For best results it is best to lie flat, however. The best way to experience this is via a recording, and there are may versions of the exercise available free online (e.g. on YouTube) You will be guided through each area of your body, relaxing each as you progress through the exercise.
If you’d like to find our more or obtain a transcript of this episode, contact Elizabeth via www.elizabethturp.co.uk Twitter at @lizahpool or Paul at www.paulgaunt.co uk or email paulgaunt2@gmail.com
You can also find us on Twitter at @howwecarepod
Episode 17: Keeping up with social change as a helping professional – the importance of challenging CPD.
Elizabeth talks with guest Dr Peter Blundell, counsellor/psychotherapist, social worker, lecturer, researcher and founder of Therapists Connect.
Discussion on the importance of continually learning and challenging yourself as a helping professional in a changing and sometimes divisive world. We look at ways to work on ourselves at different career stages to address our privilege, prejudices, power dynamics and avoid potential harm to our clients that can come from our own ignorance or fear through anti-oppressive practice.
We consider what can get in the way of doing this and offer some ideas about how to choose accessible and relevant CPD.
Find Dr Peter Blundell and the Therapists Connect community across social media and here:
www.peterblundell.com
www.therapists-connect.com
www.breakingtheboundaries.co.uk
Podcasts mentioned in this episode that challenge myths, misinformation and prejudice:
‘Maintenance Phase’ a podcast exploding myths about weight and health
https://www.maintenancephase.com/
The ‘Really Bad Therapy’ podcast, in-depth discussions of harm in therapy
https://www.verybadtherapy.com/episodes
The Therapists Connect podcast hosts discussions with individuals and groups of practitioners about individual journeys to becoming a therapist, often discussing equality issues, intersectionality and the importance of anti-oppressive practice.
Podcast | #TherapistsConnect (therapists-connect.com)
Relevant articles from Dr Peter Blundell
Boundaries - https://ejqrp.org/index.php/ejqrp/article/view/137/105
Self in Teaching Anti-Oppressive Practice –
https://ojs.aut.ac.nz/psychotherapy-politics-international/article/view/34
They discuss practitoner wellbeing, individualised care and the power of being open to anythng in the work, with insights into how effective helping conversations are based on deep empathy and trusting human connection and how person centred the podcast is too!
Contact us on twitter @howwecarepod or Instagram @howecarepodcast or via www.elizabethturp.co.uk or paulgaunt2@gmail.com
Show notes:
Episode 15: Working and Training as a Helping Professional when you have a chronic condition.
Elizabeth and special guest person-centred counsellor Natalie Rodil discuss their experiences in the counselling profession while living with chronic illness. They describe their journeys to getting support, learning self-management and the ongong challenges of both organisational and private practice work. Their experiences as mid-career and early career therapist respectively highlight some useful points about needs, policy and rights and for those of you managing others some clear examples of the how to support employees with chronic conditions. See show notes for further resources.
You can find Natalie Rodil on Twitter @NatalieRodil
Episodes 3 & 5 of this podcast focus on self-care for practitioners, epsiode 11 is about dealing with work and illness, particularly new health challenges.
Equality Act 2010 reasonable adjustments legislation: https://www.acas.org.uk/reasonable-adjustments
For comprehensive resource on Pacing for chronic illness: https://www.elizabethturp.co.uk/phdi/p1.nsf/supppages/6083?opendocument∂=9
Podcast recommendation: Welcome to Self - caring for the human in the therapist chair with Dr Hayley Quinn https://drhayleydquinn.com/podcast/
Facebook private group Disability Counsellors Group has useful discussions.
Elizabeth reads her article about the hidden reality of long term health problems arising from Covid-19 infection. This is far more common than people realise and important to begin to understand if you work as a helping professional. With the words of some Long Covid patients, she considers the impact on individuals, society, relationships and the economy and offers some explantions for why it isn't being given more attention. Please see written version in links below for hyperlinks to data, studies and science referred to in the piece. Follow her on Twitter @lizahpool for more on Long Covid.
Transcript of article read in this episode 'Why we all need to know the truth about Long Covid' and related article ' Please believe us - a call for empathy for Long Covid patients' see:
https://www.elizabethturp.co.uk/phdi/p1.nsf/supppages/6083?opendocument∂=6
For patient resources on postviral recovery and self-management:
https://www.elizabethturp.co.uk/phdi/p1.nsf/supppages/6083?opendocument∂=9
The book mentioned in this episode is 'Creative Career Coaching: Theory into Practice by Liane Hambly and Ciara Bomford, published in 2019 by Routledge. Although targeted primarily at career coaches, it contains techniques and ideas that could transfer to many helping conversations
If you’d like to find our more or obtain a transcript of this episode, contact Elizabeth via www.elizabethturp.co.uk Twitter at @lizahpool or Paul at www.paulgaunt.co uk Twitter at @paulgoodwork
You can also find us on Twitter at @howwecarepod
The definition and description of self-awareness mentioned by Paul at the beginning of the episode is here:
What Is Self-Awareness? (And How To Increase Yours) | Indeed.com
Here is an explanation of the Morning Pages journaling technique from Julia Cameron's Artists Way, as mentioned by Elizabeth:
https://juliacameronlive.com/basic-tools/morning-pages/
The Chris Argyris article, Teaching Smart People How To Learn,is here:
Teaching Smart People How to Learn.pdf (google.com)
Here are free mindfulness resources from UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Centre including a 3 min body scan & body & breath meditations:
https://www.uclahealth.org/marc/mindful-meditations
Here are details on the UK Equality Act 2010 outlining the duty to make reasonable adjustments (from Citizens Advice Bureau):
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/discrimination/what-are-the-different-types-of-discrimination/duty-to-make-reasonable-adjustments-for-disabled-people/
Here are articles from Elizabeth's website on pacing yourself during recovery from illness & long covid
https://www.elizabethturp.co.uk/phdi/p1.nsf/supppages/6083?opendocument∂=9
and articles on how counselling can help people adjusting to disability
https://www.elizabethturp.co.uk/phdi/p1.nsf/supppages/6083?opendocument∂=6
and here is an article with advice for freelancers balancing the challenges of work and illness
Working Through Illness as a Freelancer (allfreelancewriting.com)
Some resources linked to the content of this episode
Between Us: A Psychotherapy Podcast: Episode 38: The Empirical Wears No Clothes on Apple Podcasts
Will AI replace counsellors? - Counselling Directory (counselling-directory.org.uk)
15 Jobs That Will Never Be Replaced By AI | by Chan Priya | Medium
If you’d like to find our more or obtain a transcript of this episode, contact Elizabeth via www.elizabethturp.co.uk Twitter at @lizahpool or Paul at www.paulgaunt.co uk Twitter at @paulgoodwork
You can also find us on Twitter at @howwecarepod
This article refers to the original research into Imposter Syndrome carried out at Georgia State University in the late 1970s, as well as addressing some strategies for combatting imposter feelings
How to Beat Imposter Syndrome: The Silent Career Killer | Touro University (tuw.edu)
The book The Imposter Cure by Dr Jessamy Hibberd is here The Imposter Cure: How to stop feeling like a fraud and escape the mind-trap of imposter syndrome: Amazon.co.uk: Hibberd, Dr Jessamy: 9781783253067: Books
This website (referred to by Sally in the podcast) describes the five types of Imposter Syndrome identified by Dr Valerie Young
5 Types of Imposter Syndrome and How to Stop Them | The Muse
Here is another short and interesting take on Imposter Syndrome by coach and hypnotherapist Sally Heady
Impostor Syndrome: the belief that sucks joy out of success | Coaching Manchester Hypnotherapy (sallyheady.co.uk)
Sally refers to the value of Growth Mindset and Grounding Techniques in the podcast, and here are a couple of useful related links
Growth Mindset | Psychology Today Carol Dweck
7 Simple Grounding Techniques For Calming Down Quickly (drsarahallen.com)
If you’d like to find our more or obtain a transcript of this episode, contact Elizabeth via www.elizabethturp.co.uk Twitter at @lizahpool or Paul at www.paulgaunt.co uk Twitter at @paulgoodwork
You can also find us on Twitter at @howwecarepod
Carl Rogers was the originator of the person-centred approach, and this Psychology Today article gives a quick overview of what the approach entails.
Carl Rogers' Person-Centered Approach | Psychology Today
You can read more about the approach here.....
Person–Centered Therapy (Rogerian Therapy) (goodtherapy.org)......
and here (a perspective on applying the approach to Health Services)
https://www.health.org.uk/sites/default/files/PersonCentredCareMadeSimple.pdf
and finally here (an interview focussing on using a person-centred approach in career counselling)
Here is an article by Paul about different kinds of decision-making styles-with a particular focus on career decisions.
Career Decisions: ‘Undecided’ vs ‘indecisive’ - What's the difference? | Paul Gaunt Careers Advisor
If you have been considering the big decision whether to go to counselling here is an article written by Elizabeth with information on some common concerns:
https://www.elizabethturp.co.uk/phdi/p1.nsf/supppages/6083?opendocument∂=6
If you’d like to find our more or obtain a transcript of this episode, contact Elizabeth via www.elizabethturp.co.uk Twitter at @lizahpool or Paul at www.paulgaunt.co uk Twitter at @paulgoodwork
You can also find us on Twitter at @howwecarepod
To hear Bruce Anderson's take on the idea of 'core gifts', including 'passage gifts' (the gifts we can draw from our own personal suffering) have a listen to this excellent interview from Katie Elliott's 'Adventures in Behaviour Change' podcast.
BRUCE ANDERSON - Adventures in Behaviour Change | Podcast on Spotify
For more on Bruces's work with the Core Gift Institute, see the website here Core Gift Institute
So much of Elizabeth's writing - links to the central theme of this podcast. See the links below.
https://www.elizabethturp.co.uk/phdi/p1.nsf/supppages/6083?opendocument∂=4
Carl Jung's concept of the Wounded Healer is not directly discussed in this episode but was certainly on our minds during our discussion.
What is... a Wounded Healer - Mental Health @ Home (mentalhealthathome.org)
Listeners to our previous discussion on Self-Care (Episode 3) asked for us to cover more on this topic, hence Self-Care part 2, with a focus on among other things, healthy sleep habits, diet and exercise. Although, these might seem obvious things to do, many of us struggle to manage these aspects of our busy lives, especially when we are focussed on helping others.
Here are some useful resources linked to the topics discussed in this Episode
Elizabeth's articles ;
'Pacing for wellbeing, fatigue & post-viral recovery' and 'Modern Sleep Problems:10 Habits for a Good Nights Sleep' are on the page link below
https://www.elizabethturp.co.uk/phdi/p1.nsf/supppages/6083?opendocument∂=9
......and three other self-care articles
Why It’s So Hard to Stay Focused Right Now (thriveglobal.com)
Cake and inner calm: 10 ways to improve your mood – without exercising | Mental health | The Guardian
A Guide to Practicing Self-Care with Mindfulness - Mindful
About Dr Liz Sparkes
Dr Liz Sparkes is the course director for the MSC in Mindfulness and Compassion at Coventry University. Liz previously worked in the NHS in behaviour change, setting up services for mental health service users. Enabling changes in behaviours such as diet, exercise, and smoking. She also trained and supported healthcare professionals in behaviour change. She has a PhD in pain psychology and is a mindfulness teacher, delivering 8 week courses alongside teacher training retreats. Elizabeth has researched extensively into pain, mindfulness and maternal health.
Episode Resources
Resources mentioned by Liz in this episode
Home | Dr Liz Sparkes
Login (insighttimer.com)
The Compassionate Mind Foundation
Mindfulness & Compassion MSc (Postgraduate 2020-2021) | Coventry University
Other Resources
'Here are some articles Elizabeth Turp has written giving examples of how mindfulness can benefit mental and physical health.'
https://www.elizabethturp.co.uk/phdi/p1.nsf/supppages/6083?opendocument∂=9
and here are a couple of book suggestions for further investigation of mindfulness practice
Whereever you Go, There You Are by Jon Kabatt-Zinn
Sane New World by Ruby Wax
About the Hosts
With combined experience in their fields of nearly 60 years …….Paul and Elizabeth are passionate about what they do and the interactions they have with their clients. With guest conversationalists from other disciplines, this is ‘How We Care’!
This podcast comes from a shared love of their work and fascination with their parallel skills and work issues. It was inspired by the person-centred approach that one helped the other with many years ago, and is now borne of admiration and mutual support between colleagues and friends
Elizabeth Turp is a Counsellor/Psychotherapist, writer and speaker in private practice in Liverpool. Her 23 year career includes various roles in the third sector and 12 years in NHS Primary Care. Working with complex mental health issues, she specializes in helping people living with chronic invisible illness and publishes regularly and runs training on this, and self-care for therapists.
Paul Gaunt is a Careers Adviser, lecturer and trainer with over 30 years experience. Formerly Head of several university careers services, he is now a lecturer at Coventry University teaching trainee careers practitioners and has a private careers guidance practice based in Liverpool and online.
If you’d like to find our more or obtain a transcript of this episode, contact Elizabeth via www.elizabethturp.co.uk Twitter at @lizahpool or Paul at Home | Paul Gaunt Careers Advisor Twitter at @paulgoodwork
The blog on 'Generosity Burnout by Iulia Trandafir of Useful and Kind Unlimited from which the opening quote is taken is here;
Blog — useful and kind (usefulandkindunlimited.com)
Here are some resources developed by Elizabeth around good self-care for helping professionals
An article published on the Counsellors Cafe website on 10 self-care lessons you can learn from a counsellor'
https://www.thecounsellorscafe.co.uk/single-post/2017/06/26/10-self-care-lessons-you-can-learn-from-a-counsellor
...and more self-care related resources here at Elizabeth's blog page
https://www.elizabethturp.co.uk/phdi/p1.nsf/supppages/6083?opendocument∂=7
There's an article from Psychology Today on Radical Self-Care here https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/peaceful-parents-happy-kids/201401/committing-radical-self-care#:~:text=%20Committing%20to%20Radical%20Self-Care%20%201%20Nurture,to%20you.%20Do%20you%20need%20some...%20More%20
If you’d like to find our more or obtain a transcript of this episode, contact Elizabeth via www.elizabethturp.co.uk Twitter at @lizahpool or Paul at https://paulgaunt.co.uk Twitter at @paulgoodwork
About the Hosts
With combined experience in their fields of nearly 60 years …….Paul and Elizabeth are passionate about what they do and the interactions they have with their clients. With guest conversationalists from other disciplines, this is ‘How We Care’!
This podcast comes from a shared love of their work and fascination with their parallel skills and work issues. It was inspired by the person-centred approach that one helped the other with many years ago, and is now borne of admiration and mutual support between colleagues and friends
Elizabeth Turp is a Counsellor/Psychotherapist, writer and speaker in private practice in Liverpool. Her 23 year career includes various roles in the third sector and 12 years in NHS Primary Care. Working with complex mental health issues, she specializes in helping people living with chronic invisible illness and publishes regularly and runs training on this, and self-care for therapists.
Paul Gaunt is a Careers Adviser, lecturer and trainer with over 30 years experience. Formerly Head of several university careers services, he is now a lecturer at Coventry University teaching trainee careers practitioners and has a private careers guidance practice based in Liverpool and online.
If you’d like to find our more or obtain a transcript of this episode, contact Elizabeth via www.elizabethturp.co.uk Twitter at @lizahpool or Paul at Home | Paul Gaunt Careers Advisor Twitter at @paulgoodwork
Dr Oliver Jenkin's article Engaging with the emotional content of career guidance can be found at
https://indigo.careers/engaging-with-the-emotional-content-of-career-guidance/
A good explanation of Carl Rogers' Core Conditions of congruence in counselling is here
https://medium.com/achology/carl-rogers-and-the-core-conditions-of-counselling-a87167028905
An article by Charles Handy on the concept of 'Proper Selfishness is at http://spiritualityandjustice.brahmakumaris.org/images/stories/articles/SiP_Article_Proper_Selfishness.pdf
There's an article from Psychology Today on Radical Self-Care here https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/peaceful-parents-happy-kids/201401/committing-radical-self-care#:~:text=%20Committing%20to%20Radical%20Self-Care%20%201%20Nurture,to%20you.%20Do%20you%20need%20some...%20More%20
If you’d like to find our more or obtain a transcript of this episode, contact Elizabeth via www.elizabethturp.co.uk Twitter at @lizahpool or Paul at www.paulgaunt.co uk Twitter at @paulgoodwork