‘We each bring our flaws and strengths to every conversation’

What inspired you to pursue a career in Psychology?

Psychology is my second career, and I studied through the Open University and then the University of Wolverhampton. Psychology has helped me answer questions and queries about myself, but also how we relate to each other and make sense of our experiences, both good and bad. We each are affected by our histories, and have opportunities to build a future, and I am fascinated by the role of Psychologists, in researching and exploring both the big questions of the day and the small intimate moments.

Why Counselling Psychology?

Counselling Psychology is a broad church and a home to many. I am especially proud of its duality in encouraging reflective-practitioner and scientist-practitioner spaces. It invites competing constructs and finds a way to sit aside these, highlighting the strengths in both. I have met passionate Counselling Psychologists, working as researchers, service leads, clinicians and supervisors. The curiosity all these individuals share is contagious.

You've recently taken up a position as a Consultant Counselling Psychologist in a Clinical Health Psychology service; what has the transition been like for you, and what does your role entail?

I am based in a Counselling Psychology led Clinical Health Psychology service, in Powys, Wales. We work across conditions to support clients living with fatigue, persistent pain, weight management and Long Covid. I form part of the management team and retain a small clinical role as well.

As I am still new in post, I have opportunity to learn from the experienced multi-disciplinary team in Powys. This has proven extremely helpful as I had not worked in the NHS in Wales before. I appreciate the vision and focus in our service, in recognising both individual- and population-wide need. As such we work closely within local and wider networks, to ensure long term conditions are recognised and supported.

Similar to any other role, there are challenges. Powys is a beautiful area, one which includes rural communities spaced miles apart, and our Health Board has shown leadership in developing a digital first approach.

What does a typical day at work look like for you?

Most days sees a mixture of meetings, individual appointments and team discussions. I am involved in facilitating a group on the Level 3 weight management pathway at present, alongside our dietetics colleague. Meetings centre on governance, work force planning and leadership components, and I am learning a bit of Welsh along the way.

The majority of your experience has centred around working in physical health settings… what makes you so passionate about working in this area?

I have always had an interest in biology and how it may impact on wellbeing more generally. Clinical Health Psychology is an area where we meet people who are facing the biggest storms imaginable in both a physical and psychological sense, and we can walk alongside them through these difficulties. It is also a space where colleagues from a diverse range of disciplines work together for the betterment of the service user. This offers a unique opportunity to consider the bio-psycho-social factors impacting on the needs of individuals.

Traditionally, Clinical Health Psychology settings have predominantly employed Clinical Psychologists, have you encountered any challenges working in this area as a Counselling Psychologist, and if so, how have you sought to overcome this?

I was very fortunate in having Counselling Psychologists as my first two supervisors as a trainee. We worked alongside Health-and Clinical Psychology colleagues all drawing on each other's skills and experiences. I believe there is still work to be done within the wider Psychology field, in recognising proficiencies and abilities, and often remark how our service users and colleagues are interested in us offering the right help and guidance at the right time, rather than quizzing us about our training pathways. There have been moments where sadly, short sightedness showed itself in conversations, but I am glad to say this is very rare. Psychology is a rich field with a lot of different clinicians, all having skill and ability, and we are all the better for it.

You've recently developed a blog 'Pathways to Psychology'; tell me about this?

I am passionate about building the awareness around Practitioner Psychologists and their roles. The blog has introduced me to fascinating and multi-talented individuals who had faced challenges, but had come through these to be excellent team leaders, clinicians, researchers, writers and supervisors. We have a duty to share how varied a Psychology career could be, as often I meet aspirant Psychologists left broken hearted when the one path they were aware of, was not one they succeeded in.

Can you share a piece of work or research that has really changed or influenced your practice?

I find the humane-ness of Irvin Yalom a great inspiration. He reminds us all how we are humans, and how we each bring our flaws and strengths to every conversation. Part of awareness may lie in acknowledging our own fears and worries, as these could play out in our relationships with colleagues and service users alike.

What advice would you to give to anyone interested in pursuing a career in Counselling Psychology?

I would encourage any aspirant Counselling Psychologist to read, research, and to contact professionals already in the role, to explore the fullness of this career path. Any trainee would find it a generous and supportive field of Psychology with much left to explore and develop. It would be a privilege to welcome newcomers into the field.

- Visit Lelanie's 'Pathways to Psychology' Blog

On Twitter/X: Fauzia / Lelanie

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