Counselling Tutor Podcast Podcast By Ken Kelly and Rory Lees-Oakes cover art

Counselling Tutor Podcast

Counselling Tutor Podcast

By: Ken Kelly and Rory Lees-Oakes
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Counsellor CPD- Training and Counselling Student Resources Education
Episodes
  • 373 – Defensible Decision-Making

    373 – Defensible Decision-Making
    Apr 25 2026
    New Rules on Police Requests for Counselling Notes – Balancing Time and Training In Episode 373 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly take us through this week’s three topics: Firstly, in ‘Ethical, Sustainable Practice’, they explore defensible decision-making in relation to using technology and AI in counselling practice. Then in ‘Practice Matters’, Rory speaks with Irene Hadjiioannou about new 2026 guidance on police requests for counselling notes and what this means for client confidentiality and therapeutic work. And finally in ‘Student Services’, Rory, Ken, and Sarah Henry discuss balancing time and training — the realities, expectations, and challenges of being a counselling student. Defensible Decision-Making in Technology and AI [starts at 03:03 mins] In this section, Rory and Ken explore defensible decision-making, considering how counsellors can use technology and AI in practice while ensuring accountability and client protection. Key points discussed include: Defensible decision-making means being able to clearly explain and justify why you chose a particular tool or approach. Decisions must move beyond instinct - they should be grounded in evidence, reflection, and professional reasoning. Common examples include referrals, breaking confidentiality, and now increasingly, choosing digital tools like email or video platforms. Key questions to ask include: why you chose the tool, what you considered, what checks you carried out, and what concerns you identified. Ethical decision-making must always link back to client welfare, confidentiality, fairness, and good practice. Documenting your decision-making process is essential in case you are ever required to justify your actions in a complaint or review. New Rules on Police Requests for Counselling Notes [starts at 26:19 mins] In this week’s ‘Practice Matters’, Rory speaks with Irene Hadjiioannou about new legal guidance introduced in January 2026 regarding police requests for therapy notes. Key points from this conversation include: Confidentiality is a cornerstone of therapeutic work, especially for survivors of abuse, where trust and privacy are essential. Previous routine requests for therapy notes could feel intrusive and risk re-traumatising clients. New guidance states that counselling notes should not be requested as a matter of course and must be justified and proportionate. Requests now require authorisation from a senior police officer, adding an extra layer of protection. Therapists should write notes for clinical purposes only - not for legal proceedings - and follow data minimisation principles. Increased awareness and communication of these changes are needed to reassure clients and support access to therapy alongside legal processes. Balancing Time and Training [starts at 48:50 mins] In this section, Rory, Ken, and Sarah Henry discuss the realities of managing time while training to become a counsellor. Key points include: Counselling training is highly demanding, involving study, placement hours, supervision, and significant personal development. Students often juggle training alongside work, family responsibilities, and other life commitments. Consistent attendance is vital - missing sessions impacts both learning and group cohesion. Training requires sacrifice, whether that’s time, social activities, or personal routines. Planning ahead and taking a step-by-step approach can help manage overwhelm and maintain progress. Open communication with family and support networks is essential to navigate the demands of training successfully. Links and Resources Counselling Skills Academy Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide Counsellor CPD Counselling Study Resource Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide Counselling Tutor Training and CPD Facebook group Website Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner’s Guide Online and Telephone Counselling Course
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  • 372 – Understanding AI Categories in Counselling Practice

    372 – Understanding AI Categories in Counselling Practice
    Apr 18 2026
    The Future of Therapy in the Age of AI - Counselling Students and Agency Reports In Episode 372 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly take us through this week’s three topics: Firstly, in ‘Ethical, Sustainable Practice’, they explore understanding AI categories in counselling practice, examining the different types of AI tools counsellors may encounter and why understanding these distinctions is essential for ethical and safe client work. Then in ‘Practice Matters’, Rory speaks with therapist and journalist Matt Hussey about the future of therapy in the age of AI and how technology may reshape mental health support. And finally, in ‘Student Services’, Rory and Ken discuss agency reports in counselling training - what they are, why they matter, and how they contribute to assessing a trainee counsellor’s readiness for professional practice. Understanding AI Categories in Counselling Practice [starts at 02:58 mins] In this section, Rory and Ken explore understanding AI categories in counselling practice, examining the different types of AI tools therapists may encounter and why recognising these distinctions is important for ethical and safe practice. Key points discussed include: Digital Mental Health Technologies (DMHTs) are purpose-built for mental health care and developed with input from clinicians and researchers. These tools are typically regulated and designed with strong data protection and governance frameworks. General-purpose AI tools (such as ChatGPT or other large language models) are designed for broad tasks and are not regulated for therapeutic use. AI tools may appear supportive and conversational, but they rely on pattern recognition rather than genuine understanding. Commercial mental health apps may market themselves as therapeutic, but can vary widely in their safeguards and accountability. Therapists remain responsible for client confidentiality, data protection, and ethical decision-making when considering the use of any AI tool. The Future of Therapy in the Age of AI [starts at 34:25 mins] In this week’s ‘Practice Matters’, Rory speaks with therapist and journalist Matt Hussey about how technology, culture, and rising demand for mental health support may shape the future of therapy. Key points from this conversation include: Clients are increasingly arriving at therapy with knowledge of psychological concepts such as trauma, attachment, and emotional well-being. The traditional model of clients as passive recipients of expert interpretation is shifting toward a more collaborative and relational therapeutic approach. Demand for mental health support continues to grow, with millions of referrals to services such as the NHS. Technology, including AI tools, is already being used by many people for informal emotional support. AI is appealing because it is free, accessible, and available at any time. Rather than seeing AI as direct competition, therapists may benefit from understanding why clients seek support from these tools. If you enjoyed this conversation, we highly recommend visiting The Brink by Matt Hussey—a thoughtful collection of essays exploring the hidden psychological forces behind how we think, feel, and connect in modern life. Counselling Students and Agency Reports [starts at 01:01:11 mins] In this section, Rory and Ken explain the purpose of agency reports in counselling training and how they contribute to evaluating a trainee counsellor’s professional development. Key points include: Counselling students typically complete 100 hours of supervised placement within an agency as part of their qualification. An agency report provides the organisation’s view of the trainee’s professional conduct and competence. The report assesses areas such as safeguarding, legal frameworks, ethical practice, and record keeping. It forms part of a wider assessment process alongside course assignments, tutor feedback, and supervision reports. Agency reports provide a 360-degree perspective on how a trainee works within a real counselling environment. This process helps ensure that trainees entering the profession are practicing safely, ethically, and responsibly with clients. Links and Resources Counselling Skills Academy Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide Counsellor CPD Counselling Study Resource Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide Counselling Tutor Training and CPD Facebook group Website Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner’s Guide Online and Telephone Counselling Course
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  • 371 – AI in Counselling – Have Therapists Been Left Behind?

    371 – AI in Counselling – Have Therapists Been Left Behind?
    Apr 11 2026
    Preparing to Meet Your First Client - Humanism vs Person-Centred Therapy In Episode 371 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly explore three key topics relevant to counsellors and counselling students. Firstly, in ‘Ethical, Sustainable Practice’, they introduce the emerging conversation around AI in counselling, exploring whether therapists are being left behind and how practitioners can engage with AI ethically. Then in ‘Practice Matters’, Rory speaks with Jessica Wing about preparing to meet your very first client, sharing insights to help students transition from classroom practice to real therapeutic work. And finally, in ‘Student Services’, Rory and Ken clarify the difference between humanism and person-centred therapy, a common area of confusion for counselling students studying theoretical models. AI in Counselling – Have Therapists Been Left Behind? [starts at 03:07 mins] In this section, Rory and Ken explore the growing role of AI in counselling and why therapists cannot afford to ignore the conversation. Key points discussed include: AI is already embedded in many tools therapists use daily (email systems, video platforms, and software), even if practitioners do not actively use AI themselves. Counsellors don’t need to become technology experts, but they do need to understand the ethical implications of AI in practice. Clients are increasingly using AI tools themselves, sometimes discussing personal struggles with chatbots and bringing those experiences into therapy. Therapists can respond with curiosity rather than resistance, exploring how AI interactions affect a client’s experience and meaning-making. Practitioners may fall into different camps regarding AI: the enthusiast, the resistor, the anxious middle, or the pragmatist. Ethical frameworks and professional bodies in the UK (such as BACP and NCPS) are already beginning to address AI in guidance and policy. Preparing to Meet Your First Client [starts at 27:55 mins] In this week’s Practice Matters, Rory speaks with counsellor and trainer Jessica Wing about preparing to see your first client as a counselling student. Key points from this conversation include: The transition from classroom triads to working with real clients can feel daunting because real clients bring richer and more complex stories. First-session anxiety is normal; leaning on support from supervisors and placement teams can help ground and reassure students. The first session is not about solving everything – it is about building trust, establishing rapport, and beginning the therapeutic relationship. Focusing on relational presence rather than getting everything “right” allows counsellors to be more authentic and effective. Maintaining self-regulation before sessions (for example through breathing exercises or grounding techniques) helps create a calm therapeutic space. Supervision plays a vital role in early practice, offering reassurance, reflection, and professional support as students begin their client work. Humanism vs Person-Centred Therapy [starts at 49:34 mins] In this section, Rory and Ken unpack the difference between humanism and person-centred therapy (PCT), a distinction that often confuses counselling students. Key points include: Humanistic psychology is a broad philosophical approach to understanding people, emphasising growth, free will, and personal meaning. It emerged as the “third force” in psychology, alongside psychoanalysis and behaviourism, influenced by thinkers like Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers. Person-centred therapy is a specific therapeutic model that applies humanistic principles in practice. PCT is built on the belief in the actualising tendency – the idea that people naturally move toward growth and fulfilment when the right conditions are present. Rogers identified the core conditions (empathy, congruence, and unconditional positive regard) as essential elements for therapeutic change. While many modern therapies incorporate humanistic values, person-centred therapy places the therapeutic relationship and client-led growth at the very centre of the approach. Here is a full handout on this topic: Humanistic Psychology vs Person-Centred Therapy The terms humanistic psychology and person-centred therapy (PCT) are often used interchangeably, but they refer to different levels of theory and practice. Humanistic Psychology (Humanism) Humanistic psychology emerged in the mid-20th century, associated with figures such as Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers and Rollo May. It became known as the “third force” in psychology, following psychoanalysis and behaviourism. Humanism proposes that people are fundamentally oriented toward growth, meaning and creativity when the right conditions are present. Key Ideas People have an innate drive toward growth and self-actualisation Subjective experience is central to understanding the person Individuals have free will and personal ...
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