From the Editor
As part of the BACP News pages every issue, we feature a list of ‘Members in the media’ who have voluntarily given their time to contribute to newspapers, magazines and websites and appear on radio and TV programmes. I’m always impressed by the broad range of coverage – and we should not overlook the BACP Communications Team’s strategic work behind the scenes to promote our profession and communicate what we do to the general public.
Many members also have a very active and confident presence on social media platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. For an increasing number of us, particularly those in private practice, posting and interacting on social media are an important way to let clients know what we do and who we work with, and also to share important public mental health messages.
But are we getting the balance right? Instagram is about sharing pictures from your life – is it OK that a therapist posts a picture of the beautiful view they saw on their walk that morning, or the delicious cake they’re about to enjoy with a cup of tea? Does this humanise us, or blur our professional boundaries? And what about potential clients who come across therapists verbally attacking each other and their professional bodies on Twitter? Do we, as Brett Kahr says, ‘run the risk of overtaking the narrative’ every time we disclose something about ourselves, or are we simply responding to what clients want and changing social mores? These are just some of the questions explored by Catherine Jackson in ‘Full disclosure’. It’s the start of a necessary and important conversation – we would love to hear about your relationships with social media and your views on its impact on our profession.
This issue also sees the introduction of two new columns. ‘My practice’ is a chance for you to share how you work. In the first column, Sarah Edge describes her work with postnatal clients. I am also delighted to introduce a new column from Therapy Today’s Editorial Advisory Board – the team of talented practitioners who are on hand to ensure the content of your magazine stays relevant and inclusive. I’d like to thank John Barton for agreeing to go first with a thought-provoking piece on ‘getting over ourselves’. You’ll hear from a different Editorial Board member each issue.
I’d also like to thank all the contributors to this issue, who have so generously shared their views and innovative ways of working. If you have feedback or would like to contribute in some way to Therapy Today, we would love to hear from you. Do write to therapytoday@thinkpublishing.co.uk
Sally Brown, Editor
Main features
Regulars
From the Board
'Most of us will have experienced times when our voices have been dismissed, ignored or even silenced'
Deputy Chair Michael Golding on selective hearing
From the Editorial Board
'You can either be right, or you can be open'
John Barton on being friend or foe
It changed my life
'Medication gives me the fight I need to do weekly talking therapy'
Jenny Stevens writes our client column
Talking point
Making concessions: Is it OK for some clients to pay less?
Dilemma
Should we tell a client that we suspect they may be autistic?
My practice
‘Clients have described feeling triggered by seeing others breastfeeding’
Sarah Edge describes her work with postnatal clients
Analyse me
Kerese Collins speaks for herself