Psychological Professions Week - Phil's Blog
My name is Phil and I'm a Senior Counsellor at Talking Therapies (formally IAPT – Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) in Greater Manchester Mental Health Foundation Trust (GMMH). My role includes providing clinical supervision, as well as having my own caseload of clients. I’m also the Older People’s Champion for the North Team and work in partnership with other agencies involved with older adults. We’re currently working on a plan to facilitate peer support for older adults in residential care.
My childhood experiences shaped my knowledge and understanding of mental illness.
I began my counselling training in 1997, before joining Cruse Bereavement Care in 2000 as a volunteer and worked under clinical supervision with bereaved clients, before qualifying as a counsellor in 2004. I joined an IAPT service at Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust in 2007 whilst also working in alcohol rehab as a Keyworker/Therapist in Rochdale. In 2017 the service contract was won by the Big Life Group Charity and my NHS employment was transferred under TUPE - Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment). As it was important to me to stay in the NHS, I obtained a counselling post at GMMH in the same year.
Working with clients is both a privilege and a learning experience, which helps to strengthen my skills and personal development. I learn from my clients, which enables me to reflect on my own mental health and wellbeing and I integrate a range of different modalities alongside counselling (CBT, REBT, applied relaxation, EMDR), depending on clients’ needs and preferences. I have worked in Talking Therapies for 18 years and I am proud of the quality of therapy and service that we provide for our clients, who are often in most need of therapy, free at the point of use.
The need for self-care is essential to avoid burnout, so for pleasure, I grow vegetables with my wife on our allotment, write songs, play in two bands, cook and plan holidays.
As Psychological Professions Week approaches, it is a time to celebrate our profession and the people who are committed to improving the lives and mental health of others.
To explore a career in Psychological Professions, please visit: Vacancies | Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT
