International Society of Psychotherapy and Counselling

24/11/2025

When Clients Cancel Last Minute—Again

(Balancing compassion with boundaries in private counselling practice—without resentment or burnout)

If you’re a private practising counsellor in the UK—whether you’re based in Manchester, Lincoln, London, or supporting clients online—you’ve likely faced this: the text that arrives 20 minutes before a session saying, “Sorry, can’t make it today.”

It might be the third time this month.

https://ispc.org.uk/2025/when-clients-cancel-last-minute-again/

17/11/2025

Interview with a Psychologist and Integrative Psychotherapist
ISPC Interview Series:
Interviewer: Dean Whitely, Senior Editor and Member: International Society for Psychotherapy and Counselling (ISPC)
Guest: Dr. Ben Allenden, Counselling Psychologist, Integrative Psychotherapist, and Clinical Supervisor (SA)

In an era when mental health discourse often oscillates between oversimplification and abstraction, it is vital to return to the grounded, thoughtful heart of therapeutic practice. In this exclusive interview for the International Society for Psychotherapy and Counselling (ISPC), Senior Editor Whitely speaks with Dr. Ben Allenden—a Counselling Psychologist and integrative psychotherapist based in SA—about the deeper motivations that sustain clinical work.
https://ispc.org.uk/2025/interview-with-a-psychotherapist/

10/11/2025

What Is Walk and Talk Therapy?
Article authored by the ISPC

Walk and talk therapy is a simple yet powerful approach that’s gaining momentum across the UK. Instead of sitting face-to-face in a traditional counselling room, client and therapist walk side-by-side through a park, woodland path, or quiet urban trail while talking.

This gentle movement, fresh air, and natural surroundings often ease the intensity of therapy, making it easier for people to open up, think clearly, and feel less self-conscious. For many, the act of walking reduces the pressure of eye contact and creates a more relaxed, conversational dynamic—ideal for those who find conventional therapy settings too formal or intimidating.
https://ispc.org.uk/2025/walk-and-talk-therapy-in-the-21st-century/

03/11/2025

It's National Stress Awareness Week (3rd to 7th November).
It's a valuable reminder to check in with ourselves and acknowledge the impact stress can have on our physical and mental health.

While a certain amount of pressure is normal, chronic stress can leave us feeling overwhelmed and unwell. Today, let's start a conversation about healthy ways to cope. Whether it's taking a break, trying a new mindfulness exercise, or talking to someone you trust, remember that taking action to manage your stress is an investment in your wellbeing.

03/11/2025

The Cost of Living and Counselling Fees
The UK's cost of living crisis, defined by escalating inflation and economic instability, has profoundly impacted mental health and the accessibility of vital support services like counselling.

For many already facing mental health challenges, the crisis has intensified anxieties and financial strain, creating a vicious cycle where the very support they need becomes unaffordable.

This article explores the ongoing effects of the cost of living crisis on mental health in the UK and examines how rising expenses are influencing counselling fees and accessibility.
https://ispc.org.uk/2025/the-cost-of-living-and-counselling-fees/

27/10/2025

All You Need Is Love

The phenomenon of unconditional love, its transpersonal nature and its role in healing within the therapeutic relationship.

Article authored by Turiya Martyn Gough FISPC

I have experienced how the provision of unconditional love in the therapeutic relationship, as in life generally, is the necessary condition for healing of any kind to occur and that the experiencing of unconditional love is essentially spiritual or transpersonal in nature.

I believe that there is a strong case for counsellor training programmes to include Eastern mystical, meditational and philosophical practices to assist development of the soul and foster each individual’s ability to bring the healing effects of unconditional love into their daily practice.

To read more goto: https://ispc.org.uk/2025/all-you-need-is-love/

20/10/2025

https://ispc.org.uk/2025/why-private-practice-counsellors-are-choosing-ispc/

Running your own private counselling practice in the UK, you know the reality: you’re not just a therapist, you’re also the admin team, compliance officer...

20/10/2025

Private Practice Counselling

Running your own private counselling practice in the UK, you know the reality: you’re not just a therapist, you’re also the admin team, compliance officer...

16/10/2025

Super Hero Counsellors!

15/10/2025

We're excited to announce two new resources to support your professional development moving forwards.

For our Student Members: To help you hone your practical abilities, we've added a series of short, engaging explainer videos on counselling skills directly to your account pages. Log in now and start building your confidence.

For our Full Members: We understand the challenges of setting up a private practice, so we've been working hard on a comprehensive Private Practice guide. This resource is still a work in progress, but you can already find the early stages on your account pages. We'll be updating it with more information soon!

https://www.ispc.org.uk

13/10/2025

The Future of UK Counselling and Psychotherapy: Navigating Technology, Demand, and Integration
The field of counselling and psychotherapy in the UK is in a state of dynamic evolution. Shaped by global events, technological innovation, and shifting societal attitudes, the profession is moving towards a future that is both more accessible and more complex.
To read more ...

Established in 2000, the ISPC strives to impact therapy and community settings around the world. we believe in an unconditional future for all, Please support us and help us to continue this objective.

12/10/2025

It's OCD Awareness Week (12–18 October), a global effort to raise awareness and challenge the misconceptions surrounding Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

Many people associate OCD with being neat or organised, but in reality, it's a serious and complex mental health condition that can significantly disrupt daily life. It involves a cycle of unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours (compulsions) performed to alleviate intense anxiety.

This week, let's commit to dispelling myths and fostering a deeper understanding of what living with OCD is truly like. If you or someone you know is struggling, remember that effective treatment and support are available. No one should have to suffer in silence.