During the UK academic breaks, Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly produce occasional special editions of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, in which they provide a ‘deep dive’ into a specific topic important to counselling and psychotherapy. In this episode, Rory talks with Yvonne Lomas about her experiences with dyslexia as both a student and a teacher. They also give tips for studying with dyslexia.

In episode 98 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Ken Kelly and Rory Lees-Oakes discuss whether it’s possible for a counsellor to be too nice. In ‘Practice Matters’, Rory then talks about the appropriate use of questions in counselling. Finally, the presenters explore attachment styles, and how these can affect the therapeutic relationship.

In episode 97 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Ken Kelly and Rory Lees-Oakes talk about the natural anxiety that students often experience when having their counselling skills observed and/or assessed. In ‘Practice Matters’, Rory explores the thinking behind the requirement of many counselling courses that participants access their own personal therapy. Finally, the presenters explore culture, and how cultural differences can affect the therapeutic relationship.

In episode 96 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Ken Kelly and Rory Lees-Oakes clarify the difference between counselling and psychotherapy. In ‘Practice Matters’, Rory looks at how to develop your own internal supervisor. Last, the presenters discuss the skill of reflection in counselling.

In episode 95 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Ken Kelly and Rory Lees-Oakes clarify the study type and level required to become qualified as a counsellor. In ‘Practice Matters’, Rory looks at how to work with clients who have received a formal mental health diagnosis. Last, the presenters discuss working with sex offenders.

In episode 94 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Ken Kelly and Rory Lees-Oakes debate whether we can ever be truly non-biased. In ‘Practice Matters’, Rory covers the new General Data Protection Regulation for Europe. Finally, the presenters talk about what you could do if you’re feeling judged by your personal counsellor.

In episode 93 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Ken Kelly and Rory Lees-Oakes talk about what it means to be dyslexic as a counselling student. In ‘Practice Matters’, Rory talks about immediacy as a skill. Last, the presenters discuss personal development (PD) and its connection to theory.

In episode 92 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Ken Kelly and Rory Lees-Oakes talk about whether and – if so – when it is advisable to add to your original modality. In ‘Practice Matters’, Rory discusses the issue of free speech in the therapy room. Finally, the presenters look again at working with diverse client groups.

In episode 91 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Ken Kelly and Rory Lees-Oakes offer tips on what to do if you feel you clash with another student in your group. In ‘Practice Matters’, Rory looks at the more sinister aspect of mobile phones in the therapy room. Last, the presenters discuss when, how and with whom you might choose to share your accomplishments and qualifications.

In episode 90 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Ken Kelly and Rory Lees-Oakes describe the importance of joining an ethical body as a student member. In ‘Practice Matters’, Rory provides an overview on how to work with issues of a sexually intimate nature in the therapy room, Last, the presenters discuss the difference between reflection and reflexivity.

In episode 89 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Ken Kelly and Rory Lees-Oakes talk about how to respond when a client asks you a direct question. In ‘Practice Matters’, Rory describes the importance of research for counselling. Finally, the presenters discuss the importance of understanding agency policies and procedures.

In episode 88 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Ken Kelly and Rory Lees-Oakes offer tips on writing a reflective journal (a common requirement of counselling training courses). In ‘Practice Matters’, Rory talks about what you need to know when working with clients who are going through a court case. The episode closes with a discussion on disclosing personal problems to the group as a counselling student.

In episode 87 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Ken Kelly and Rory Lees-Oakes look at the complex issue of self-harm. In ‘Practice Matters’, Rory describes how to ‘shrink’ people. Last, the presenters provide guidance on looking for a counselling placement.

In episode 86 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Ken Kelly and Rory Lees-Oakes look at the difficult issue of touch in counselling. In ‘Practice Matters’, Rory describes strategies from his experience of working with suicidal clients. The presenters end the episode by talking about the anxiety that can naturally hit us when working in a group setting – and how we can help assuage this.

In episode 85 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Ken Kelly and Rory Lees-Oakes look at the ‘here and now’ in counselling. In ‘Practice Matters’, Rory talks about the risk of client dependency and how to spot this. Finally, the presenters discuss common motivations for studying counselling.

In episode 84 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast – the first of season 4 ­– Ken Kelly and Rory Lees-Oakes offer tips on setting goals for the academic year ahead, and describe the support they can offer with your studies. ‘Practice Matters’ goes ‘back to basics, covering the fundamentals of counselling. Last, the presenters discuss reading lists, and how best to tackle the academic reading you need to do for your course.

In the final episode of season 3 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Rory Lees-Oakes interviews Professor Tim Bond, who serves as consultant to the BACP on its Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions. Tim is also the author of Standards and Ethics for Counselling in Action (4th edition) (Sage, 2015).

In episode 82 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Ken Kelly and Rory Lees-Oakes offer tips on how to study effectively. ‘Practice Matters’ addresses the difficult issue of taking risks in therapy. Last, the presenters discuss faith and religion, and whether these stem from an external or internal locus of evaluation.

In episode 81 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Ken Kelly and Rory Lees-Oakes offer guidance for disappointed students who haven’t got a place on the course they wanted. ‘Practice Matters’ goes on to describe the use of timelines in therapy. Finally, the presenters discuss possible challenges to learning.

In episode 80 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Ken Kelly and Rory Lees-Oakes talk about counselling clients who are affected by domestic abuse. ‘Practice Matters’ discusses trauma-informed practice. Last, the presenters explain cognitive dissonance.

In episode 79 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Ken Kelly and Rory Lees-Oakes offer tips on the common issue of having feelings of incompetence as a student counsellor. ‘Practice Matters’ discussed working with a third person in the room. Finally, the presenters talk about completing your placement hours.

In episode 78 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Ken Kelly and Rory Lees-Oakes offer tips on using quotations in assignments. ‘Practice Matters’ looks at reasons why clients may ‘disappear’. Last, the presenters discuss what it means to have an assignment referred.

In episode 77 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Ken Kelly and Rory Lees-Oakes discuss whether age is a barrier to starting counselling training. ‘Practice Matters’ then looks at working within your competence as a counsellor. Finally, the presenters talk about getting signed off as fit to practise.

In episode 76 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Ken Kelly and Rory Lees-Oakes discuss how to spot and work with clients’ defences. ‘Practice Matters’ then investigates the limits to confidentiality in counselling. Finally, the presenters discuss the key principles of the person-centred approach.

In episode 75 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Ken Kelly and Rory Lees-Oakes talk about psychodynamic theory. ‘Practice Matters’ then delves into transference, before the presenters discuss Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.