International Society of Psychotherapy and Counselling

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International Society of Psychotherapy and Counselling

The ISPC is a Professional Membership awarding body for Psychotherapy & Counselling
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23/12/2025

As the year settles into quiet—and many of us step back from the therapy room for a few days—take a moment to acknowledge the work you’ve held this year.

The sessions that stretched you.
The silences that spoke volumes.
The boundaries you maintained—even when it was hard.
The clients who trusted you with their darkest December days.

You didn’t “fix” anyone.
You showed up. You listened. You stayed ethically present.
And in a world that often rushes to cheer, your willingness to hold space for pain, complexity, and hope is a quiet form of courage.

If you’re on call over the break: thank you—and please care for yourself too.
If you’re fully offline: give yourself permission to rest without guilt.

Sustainable practice isn’t possible without real rest. And in the spirit of ISPC, remember:

Ethics includes self-responsibility.

Wishing you a peaceful, grounded Christmas Eve—
however you’re spending it.

🎄 From all of us at ISPC

P.S. Your website can carry your seasonal closure message with clarity and care—another act of client respect. That’s website ethics, too.

15/12/2025

When a Client Asks for Multiple Sessions a Week
What Does The Ask Reveal?
At first glance, it may seem like a compliment: they trust you, they’re engaged, they’re committed. But beneath the surface, this request often carries layers—of dependency, crisis, regression, transference, or even a desire for containment that goes beyond standard therapeutic boundaries.

For counsellors working within the ethical, relational, and humanistic values of the International Society for Psychotherapy and Counselling (ISPC), the question isn’t simply “Can I fit them in?” It’s: “What does this ask reveal—and how do I respond with both compassion and integrity?”

This blog explores how ISPC-aligned practitioners can thoughtfully navigate increased session requests—not as a logistical dilemma, but as a clinical and ethical opportunity.
https://ispc.org.uk/2025/when-a-client-asks-for-multiple-sessions-a-week/

13/12/2025

ISPC Saturday Reflection 💬

What happens when a client starts asking for multiple sessions per week?

Is it a sign of deepening therapeutic need… or a shift in the frame that needs careful navigation?

As ISPC members, we’re committed to ethical, responsive practice—but also to clear boundaries, sustainable workloads, and mutual clarity. So how do you respond when session frequency requests increase?

🔹 Do you explore the underlying need?
🔹 Revisit the working agreement?
🔹 Consider your own capacity and limits?
🔹 Consult supervision—or even your ISPC community?

We’d love to hear how you hold both compassion and professional integrity in these moments.

👇 Share your thoughts below.

Part of the ISPC mission: honest conversations, ethical clarity, and practitioners supporting practitioners.

11/12/2025

When was the last time you said “no” to a client request—not because it was wrong, but because it didn’t align with your capacity, frame, or ethical boundaries?

Saying no might look like:
🔸 Declining last-minute session changes
🔸 Not lowering fees beyond what’s sustainable
🔸 Refusing to text between sessions (even “just this once”)
🔸 Turning down a client whose needs are outside your scope

In a culture that equates “helping” with “saying yes,” holding boundaries can feel uncomfortable. But in ISPC-aligned practice, “no” is not rejection—it’s respect.
→ Respect for your professional limits
→ Respect for the therapeutic frame
→ Respect for the client’s long-term autonomy

And remember: your website, your policies, and your contracts are silent allies in this. Clear communication before the first session reduces pressure later. (That’s website ethics in action.)

How do you care for your practice while caring for others?

💬 Share your wisdom below.

ISPC: Supporting counsellors who lead with integrity—online, in session, and in community.

08/12/2025

Your Website Is Your Ethical Front Door
“Your Website Isn’t Just Seen—It’s Experienced. Make Ethics Your First Impression.”
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 ethical tool.
https://ispc.org.uk/2025/why-your-counselling-website-is-your-most-important-ethical-tool-in-2026/

06/12/2025

What do you do when a client says:
“You’re the only one who understands me”?

It can feel like validation… but it might also signal:
🔸 Over-idealisation
🔸 Isolation in their support network
🔸 Emerging transference
🔸 Or even your own countertransference (“I must keep helping—they need me”)

In private practice—especially when working solo in your area—it’s easy to slip into the “only lifeline” role. But ethical, sustainable therapy isn’t about being indispensable. It’s about being reliably present within clear boundaries.

At ISPC, we believe in:
✅ Holding warmth and frame
✅ Encouraging client autonomy—not dependency
✅ Using supervision to explore the “pull” of these moments

How do you stay grounded when a client places you on a pedestal?

👇 We’d love to hear your reflections.

Part of the ISPC approach: honest practice, reflective community, and ethics in action.

01/12/2025

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 allied professionals, we consistently hold space for complex emotions, trauma, and distress.
https://ispc.org.uk/2025/a-therapists-perspective-on-self-care/

25/11/2025

“When a client says, ‘I don’t know what to talk about today’…”

That silence isn’t emptiness—it’s often fear, fatigue, or your client testing if you’ll still stay with them when they have “nothing to offer.” Instead of filling the space, try: “It’s okay to not know. Maybe we just sit with that for a moment.”

Sometimes the most healing sessions begin in the quiet.

24/11/2025

When Clients Cancel Last Minute—Again

(Balancing compassion with boundaries in private counselling practice—without resentment or burnout)

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 a session saying, “Sorry, can’t make it today.”

It might be the third time this month.

https://ispc.org.uk/2025/when-clients-cancel-last-minute-again/

17/11/2025

Interview with a Psychologist and Integrative Psychotherapist
ISPC Interview Series:
Interviewer: Dean Whitely, Senior Editor and Member: International Society for Psychotherapy and Counselling (ISPC)
Guest: Dr. Ben Allenden, Counselling Psychologist, Integrative Psychotherapist, and Clinical Supervisor (SA)

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 interview for the International Society for Psychotherapy and Counselling (ISPC), Senior Editor Whitely speaks with Dr. Ben Allenden—a Counselling Psychologist and integrative psychotherapist based in SA—about the deeper motivations that sustain clinical work.
https://ispc.org.uk/2025/interview-with-a-psychotherapist/

10/11/2025

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, fresh air, and natural surroundings often ease the intensity of therapy, making it easier for people to open up, think clearly, and feel less self-conscious. For many, the act of walking reduces the pressure of eye contact and creates a more relaxed, conversational dynamic—ideal for those who find conventional therapy settings too formal or intimidating.
https://ispc.org.uk/2025/walk-and-talk-therapy-in-the-21st-century/

03/11/2025

It's National Stress Awareness Week (3rd to 7th November).
It's a valuable reminder to check in with ourselves and acknowledge the impact stress can have on our physical and mental health.

While a certain amount of pressure is normal, chronic stress can leave us feeling overwhelmed and unwell. Today, let's start a conversation about healthy ways to cope. Whether it's taking a break, trying a new mindfulness exercise, or talking to someone you trust, remember that taking action to manage your stress is an investment in your wellbeing.

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