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Dear members,   Welcome the October edition of the DCoP E-newsletter. With the COP26 starting ina few days we wanted to point you all to the Statement of Support DCoP hasissued. We have also highlighted some other events below. This issue we're excitedto introduce our new CPR editor - Dr Gina Di Malta - read about her below. AndQCoP needs you - lots of opportunities to develop your skills as a tutor and trainer- see below for details!

Also, apologies for the confusion regarding the September advert for researchbeing carried out by Jordan Benham, we would like to clarify that his research isregarding males parented by parents with a psychotic illness, and that he is notresearching sexuality, nor is he supervised by Dr Catherine Athanasiadou-Lewis.Apologies to those of whom were interested in participating and were confused bythis information. Apologies again to Jordan for the error.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind our members of the importance ofparticipating in and sharing ongoing research as much as possible and appropriate.Our trainees go through a rigorous process to have their research ethicallyapproved and we hope that our members can support this future generation oftrainees to do important research.

For those who continue to conduct valuable research beyond their training years,the E-newsletter remains a platform for you to recruit participants - as you can seefrom some research we are promoting below!

Thanks to Zaffran Jami (3rd yr City Trainee) for joining me in the editing of this e-letter!

Dr Neha Cattra – Communications lead

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DCoP Statement of Support for COP26 The Division of Counselling Psychology has published its statement of support forthe upcoming COP26, the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, whichis being held in Glasgow from 31 October to 12 November. As our recent surveyshowed, counselling psychologists know that the environment has a critical impacton people’s physical and psychological wellbeing and we join other alliedprofessions in supporting the delegates attending this most important of meetings.We join our colleagues in calling for action that protects health, wellbeing, and ata minimum, the survival of current and future generations of human and otherliving beings. Please read the full statement on the DCoP microsite. Thanks to members of the Division's Climate and Environmental Crisis workstreamwho coordinated this.

Introducing our new CPR editor Dr Gina S. Di Malta CPsychol.

I am pleased to be starting in my new role as the editor ofCounselling Psychology Review (CPR) in the Division ofCounselling Psychology. I am a lecturer for the OpenUniversity where I chair one of the core counsellingmodules and develop my research. I am an enthusiasticresearcher with interests in psychotherapy processes thatenhance outcomes, and particularly client agency, thetherapeutic relationship, and processes of pluralisticpractice. 

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As a humanist, I am passionate about developing counselling psychology values. Inmy practice, I mostly align with the person-centred and pluralistic approaches.  I have a background in psychology and did a Master’s in Cognitive Neuroscience atUniversity College London. After some years spent in Prague, I came back toLondon to do my doctoral training at the University of Roehampton. I stayed as apostdoctoral researcher and coordinated the research clinic for the Centre forResearch in Social and Psychological Transformation, directed by Professor MickCooper. During this time, I also taught on counselling psychology doctorateprogrammes. Over the years, I have worked as a counselling psychologist in NHSprimary and secondary care, IAPT, university counselling services, and charitysectors. My typical day is spent at home working on research, scholarship projects orteaching. I like to spend time in the garden, picking berries, walking, and caringfor my 3-year old son. My vision for CPR is for the publication to grow into a trusted resource not only forcounselling psychologists but for the psychology scientific community. We hope CPRcan be the home to excellent research from a range of academics, and particularlyfrom counselling psychologist trainees and early career researchers who intend todevelop a line of research within their chosen field. Dr Gina S. Di Malta

Make the most of your membership - opportunities available

Qualification in Counselling Psychology (QCoP) roles available

The Qualification in Counselling Psychology (QCoP)is the independent route to training as acounselling psychologist, which is an alternativeroute to those undertaking a professional doctorateat university.

This is an integrated, doctoral level qualification which leads to eligibility forchartered membership of the society and full membership of the Division ofCounselling Psychology.

Role of chair The Counselling Psychology Qualifications Board is seeking to appoint a chair forQCoP. The holder of the role will be a chartered CoP, a full member of DCoP andHCPC registered and have a thorough understanding of the QCoP programme andits relevant processes. They will also be responsible for quality-assurance, as well

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as leading on future developmental work. It is estimated that this commitment will be approximately 10 days a year, with ablended delivery of online and in-person meetings. Experience of assessing at apostgraduate level in counselling psychology; of working on a board or committee,preferably as chair or deputy chair; and maintaining high standards on a trainingprogramme(s) is also highly desired. Current QCoP chair Dr Pamela James says:

“The role of the chair holds considerable responsibility. It offers theopportunity to work with like-minded colleagues and experts in the field toensure that HCPC requirements are met through an in-depth understanding ofcounselling psychology competencies. A successful applicant can addsignificant value to the programme and to the development of futuretrainees. Through the position, I have had the pleasure of celebrating candidatesuccesses, which has made the position extremely rewarding as well asensuring difficult matters have been dealt with accordingly and theprogramme is continually reviewed and improved upon”.

You can find out more about the role and how to apply on the DCoP website. If you have any questions the team is happy to answer - please email Sasha StJohn. Role of coordinating supervisors

The Counselling Psychology Qualifications Board islooking to support the training of additionalCoordinating supervisors to assist candidates on theQualification in Counselling Psychology (QCoP). 

The role of a coordinating supervisor is often considered to be the equivalent to acourse director role or a course tutor; holding overall responsibility for guiding andmentoring candidates through the society’s qualifications. A free training workshopwill be delivered where in-training supervisors can network with other membersand build upon the material learnt within the supporting distance-learningmodule(s). Once approved, coordinating supervisors will obtain free entry onto thequalification-specific section of the Register for Applied Practice Supervisors(RAPPS) and can work as an independent contractor for candidates on theprogramme.

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  To be eligible for the society’s training to become a coordinating supervisor, youwill need to be a chartered CoP, a full member of DCoP and HCPC registered. Sound interesting? You can find out more by emailing the team or you can have alook at our online Supervisor Handbook. Role of chief assessor 

The Counselling Psychology Qualifications Board isseeking to appoint a Chief Assessor who hassubstantial and current experience of trainingwithin counselling psychology in the UK. 

This is a paid role, offered on a stipendiary contract that requires a commitmentof three sessions per month, where a session equates to half a day. The role of the chief assessor holds oversight and the management of theassessment process for the Qualification in Counselling Psychology. A successfulapplicant will act on behalf of the board in all matters concerning assessment,including the design and implementation of the Qualification in CounsellingPsychology assessment framework. The chief assessor also has responsibility foradvising on future development and management of the qualification. You can find more information about the role on the DCoP website and if youwould like to apply please email Nathaniel Rawes, BPS assessment & awardsofficer. Role of assessors

Assessors check submissions against publishedcriteria for both routes, with the assessment ofwritten work being carried out electronically. Theassessment points will vary throughout the yeardepending on the allocated route and yourproposed availability. 

The role will also include the assessment of a reflective essay and a viva. Vivaexaminations will usually be held in June and November. Due to Covid-19 vivaexaminations are currently being held via Zoom. Newly appointed assessors will attend an annual training day. In order to remain anassessor, you will need to commit to attend at least one annual assessors trainingday in any two-year period. You will need to be a chartered CoP, a full member of DCoP and HCPC registered,

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have ex-perience of teaching and /or assessing for a minimum of two years atpostgraduate level. If you are interested in applying for the role please email Nathaniel Rawes, BPSassessment & awards officer. An informal discussion can also be arranged with thechief assessor, Nicky Hogan. You can find out more general information about therole on the DCoP website.

Conference team opportunities

The conference team is still looking for volunteerswho want to get involved in planning and promotingthe seminal event of the CoP calendar year! If youare interested in learning about event planning andpassionate about opening CoP up to the membersthen have an email chat with Jill about theopportunities available.

If you read all about the opportunities in a previous issue of the E-newsletter andwere having a think about whether it was for you, and now you know you want toapply, please fill in the Statement of Interest online. Deadline is Friday 15 November 2021.

DCP event The DCP have organised a groundbreaking workshop exploring the impact of Racein Psychology. This Group Relations Conference will apply a systems psychodynamiclens to the study of social and organisational dynamics. Fully Human: Soul, Psyche, Skin. Exploring Race in Psychology We are delighted to announce a special two-day workshop on 2 and 3 December,studying the way that society separates us on the basis of race, class, gender,ability, language or accent, and creates a system that places more value on somepeople over others. We will explore the lived experience of these forces of separation and judgement,and the dy-namics of privilege of power. This is going to be an active learningevent that will allow attendees to bring their thoughts, feelings and experiences toshare in our contained learning space. The workshop has been heavily subsidised by the DCP to reduce the attendancecosts to a very affordable rate to ensure as many people as possible will be able to

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attend and explore these issues. The rate for BPS members is only £65 for the two-day event. We want to put these issues at the front and centre of our thinking, and we hopeyou'll join us.

DCoP South West Branch  13 December, 10am to 11:30am Members of the South West Branch are invited to a general meeting via Zoom. The Zoom details are:  Meeting ID: 948 5198 8514 Password: 625750 More information will be available on the DCoP website next week. 

Trainee eventsThe Divisions’ Executive Committee has decided to continue a series of traineemembership Zoom meetings in an effort to connect with trainees during the year.The fourth of 2021 was held on Thursday 23 September and was hosted by DCoPEC’s trainee rep, Ben Amponsah, and conference lead Dr Jill Mytton. The meetingwas attended by 2 trainees, 1 from York St John University and 1 from RegentsUniversity.

The meeting opened with check ins and introductions from Ben and Jill and a briefrecap of what the meeting’s general purpose was i.e., to provide support aroundwellbeing, practice and provide a vehicle to share experiences and reflections ofthe training journey thus far.

How much perceived support is offered to trainees by the differentestablishments. BA was at pains to stress that there is enough pressureon trainees already with all the balls that have to be juggled withoutthem also feeling their establishment does not have their success at theheart of teaching.

Book now

Join Zoom meeting

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Overall perceived failure rates were also discussed.Jill and Ben plugged communications, the E-newsletter and being anactive part of DCoP as a way of networking and also gaining tractionwith training.There was an appreciation for the space to talk to other trainees.

Thank you for taking the time to join us. As always, we are available to hear yourconcerns and are happy to feedback and collaborate with you.

Kindest regards, Ben Amponsah (trainee rep) and Jill Mytton (conference lead).

Next Trainee Support session Thursday 18 November 2021, 18.30 - 19.30   Book now (you will need to sign in).

Trainee Research Recruitment

**CORRECTION** Males' Reflections on Being Raised by Parents with Psychotic Illnesses andProtective Fac-tors that can Lead to the Development of Resilience My name is Jordan Behnam and I am a trainee counselling psychologist at CityUniversity and I am currently carrying out research with men aged 25 and over whowere raised by a parent with a psychotic illness to understand the impact thatbeing raised by such a parent had on them. Little previous research has been conducted in this area and NHS services currentlyoffer little or no resources to the children of service users. The aim of this study isto create a theory, grounded in the data provided by participants, to develop anunderstanding of how men experienced their childhoods growing up with a parentwith a psychotic disorder. It is hoped that this research will offer service providers a clearer picture of thetypes of environments that sons of service users experience and what resourcescan be helpful. Interviews will take 45-60 minutes and will consist of questionsrelating to your childhood experiences, how this impacted you and any factors thathelped you navigate this environment. Recruitment criteria:

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Male Aged 25 and overRaised by one or more parents with a diagnosed psychotic illness (e.g.Schizophrenia or Bi-polar Disorder) for a total of at least 10 years (betweenthe ages of 0-18)

If you are interested in taking part in this study, please email Jordan Behnam.

The integration of CBT and psychodynamic therapies

The aim of this study is to:

1. Provide an in-depth, qualitative investigation of how therapists (broadlydefined) who have also completed some formal training in CBT(Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and/or psychodynamic therapy view theirown therapeutic modalities and the relationship between CBT andpsychodynamic theoretical frameworks;

2. Explore if and how they integrate CBT and psychodynamic approaches intheir practice;

3. Understand some of the contemporary issues and barriers common to theintegration of different therapeutic modalities in therapeutic practice.

This project is UK based but recruitment is international and we are interested inhearing from therapists practising privately or publicly. The objectives for this study are:

1. 1) To use an online qualitative survey method to explore how therapistsunderstand, perceive and, potentially, integrate, psychodynamic and CBTprinciples in their practice.

2. Thee data collected will be analysed using thematic analysis in order toconstruct themes and generate implications for therapeutic integration andpractice.

3. To provide theoretical and clinical recommendations on how CBT andpsychodynamic psy-chotherapies can be integrated in a pragmatic manner toaddress individual patient treatment needs.

Inclusion Criteria: This project is open to all therapists, psychologists or other psychotherapeuticpractitioners who have also completed formal training in CBT and/orpsychodynamic therapy. All participants need to have formal therapeuticqualifications and two years of post-qualification experience. Participants will beinvited to provide details of their therapeutic orientation, training and currentemployment context upon completing the study.

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Please email the researchers if you are interested in participating and want to findout more: Dr Christopher Lloyd and Dr Greta Kaluzeviciute.

Next issue Next e-newsletter is due to be with you around 25 November. Please send all inclusions to the editor by 12 November 2021 by emailing:dcopelettereditor@bps.org.uk

Don't forget to keep up with all the latest DCoP news on ourchannels listed below.

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