Counselling at Work Journal

Counselling at Work is the journal of the Association for Counselling at Work. Counselling at Work keeps readers up to date with developments in workplace counselling and the wider arena of employee support and psychological health at work.

Counselling at Work is published four times a year and is free to ACW members. Individual subscriptions may also be purchased.

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Every issue of CAW contains:

• Features on counselling in work contexts
• Articles related to wider employee support and psychological health at work
• Book reviews
• UK and international news
• Divisional and ACW network news
• Directory of helplines, support groups and contacts
• CAW Noticeboard (free to readers)

For a listing of feature articles in previous issues of Counselling at Work see below. Selected articles are available to download in PDF format. Please note that some files may take some time to download. File sizes are stated for your information.

Winter 2007/08 issue Bullying: Damian Stoupe‘s workshop from the 2007 conference Bullying & Harassment: An exploration of the HR/counselling interface and how to make it work more effectively Coping with the Law: Neil Goodrum clarified key points in the relevant legislation at the 2007 ACW conference Coping with the Law: Neil Goodrum clarified key points in the relevant legislation at the 2007 ACW conference Access denied: Peter Jenkins investigates issues of personal data and privacy in the ‘surveillance society’ Care for the Counsellor: Shirley Cullup reflects on how practitioners can look after themselves A year in the life: In 2006, Nicola Banning gave us quarterly updates about her year as a newly trained workplace counsellor. Here, she shares her 2007 update Vocational Rehabilitation Association: Mapping out a path for workplace rehabilitation by Tim Dawson

Autumn 2007 issue The BACP review of research into workplace counselling: Implications for research policy and practice. John McLeod has an update Workplace interventions for people with common mental health problems: Bob Grove and Linda Seymour discuss the Sainsbury Centre research The Dodo – still alive and well: Barry McInnes reflects on the evidence and its implications for workplace therapy providers The bottom line of executive coaching: Gladeana McMahon reflects on the measurement of coaching effectiveness Handling missing data in workplace counselling research: Rachael Williams investigates

Summer 2007 issue Death, bereavement and the workplace: David Charles-Edwards reflects on the opportunities available to organisations The ‘bully’ within: Caitlin Buon and Tony Buon call for a stop to the profiling of ‘the bully’ Reflecting on the ties that bind: Changes and competencies in workplace counselling supervision. Elspeth Schwenk considers the tools needed by supervisors in a rapidly changing field Health reform in England: Louise Robinson explores the implications for workplace counselling Rising from the ashes of burnout: Gordon Symons describes his work in helping a successful, professional man recover from burnout and depression; Paul Robins, the client, shares the experience from his perspective Where’s that flip chart?: Joanne Garner introduces a core concept of transactional analysis Qualitative approaches in workplace counselling research: Chris Athanasiades and Allan Winthrop propose a systematic research methodogy

Spring 2007 issue Cognitive behavioural approaches: Gladeana McMahon presents a guide through the principles Psychological aspects of the role of cabin crew: Chris Partridge and Tracy Goodman explore the impact at British Airways The psychodynamic workplace: Elspeth Crawford explores workplace counselling from a psychodynamic perspective Duty of care: Peter Jenkins keeps an eye on the changing landscape Thinking holistically: Sue Lieberman presents Gestalt and other ways of working with organisations Flashbacks: Paul Burns reflects on the nature and variety of flash backs and ways of responding to them when they happen within a session

Winter 2007 issue Treading lightly: Evan George discusses the solution-focused approach in practice Reality therapy: John Brickell introduces the practical concepts behind the theory From sympathy to empathy: Mandy Rutter reflects on the post-NICE options for critical incident management and the power of peer support Workplace counselling: building an evidence base from practice: Barry McInnes explores the role of the new CORE National Research Database for Workplace Counselling Counselling isn't for the "completely bonkers"!: Mandy Larcombe shares her recent research A year in the life of a newly trained counsellor: Nicola Banning completes her first year

Autumn 2006 issue Trauma and stress: John Hall explores the issues involved in working with those at high risk of exposure to psychological trauma from conflict and disaster One for the road?: Andrew Kinder and Dr Steve Deacon discuss the impact of alcohol and drugs misuse within the workplace Innovation at the MoD: The Ministry of Defence is trialling a scheme that uses a mix of in-house and external services to support employees. Phil Histon describes the scheme and its advantages Tackling workplace stress: Gisela Unsworth describes how Kingston Hospital won the 2006 Human Resources Excellence Award for best management practice in tackling workplace stress A long tradition of caring: Susan Guy highlights the focus on employee welfare at Boots The Chemists New workplace counselling models: Norman Claringbull maps out the current and future landscape A year in the life of a newly trained counselor: Nicola Banning continues to chart her journey Workplace counselling: who is the consumer?: Kevin Friery identifies reasons for contracting and accessing counselling

Summer 2006 issue Reporting distress – duty of care within the media: Mark Brayne highlights the measures taken to support correspondences reporting from disaster and war zones Interview – Dr Neil Greenberg: Rick Hughes interviews Dr Neil Greenberg of the King's Centre for Military Health Research about Trauma Risk Management Battling combat stress: Robert Marsh explains how the charity Combat Stress works to treat and support those ex-Servicemen and women who sustain psychological injury as a result of, or exacerbated by, their Service life Isn't it NICE to be ignored when you're stressed?: John Durkin exposes the dangers of a rigid adherence to National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) trauma guidelines and merits the use of peer-support interventions Workplace counselling and the 'duty of care'. What next?: Do employers view work place counselling as a shield against litigation or a weapon fighting for duty of care? Peter Jenkins investigates Ensuring workplace mediation is successful: Linda Hoskinson reviews how our 'duty of care' affects the 'reasonable steps' employers and mediators are taking when making mediation more accessible in the workplace Relationship serenity: Coach Michael Neill demonstrates that a 'duty of care' combines both a duty to others... and to oneself A year in the life...: Newly trained counselor Nicola Banning chronicles her journey – part 2

Spring 2006 issue CPD: a matrix guide: Elspeth Schwenk considers a CPD platform for workplace counsellors CPD: the role of reflexivity: Susy Churchill discusses the values of being a reflective practitioner Suicide: the effect on the counselling psychologist: Anopama Kapoor examines ways to ounteract these effects and the implications for training and practice Suicide and sudden death: Details of the forthcoming ACW training event The Macwhinnie years: Rick Hughes interviews Lynn Macwhinnie, past ACW chair Bullying at work: Damian Stroupe reflects on the emotional fallout A year in the life...: Newly trained counselor Nicola Banning chronicles her journey Consumer debt: the cost to the workplace: Ian Gordon identifies financial phobia as a debt denial condition

Winter 2006 issue Counselling supervision in organisations: Sue Copeland demonstrates how supervision can add value to an organisation Supervision in cyberspace: Anne Stokes discusses the opportunities for online supervision Supervising workplace counsellors: How far does responsibility stretch within organisations, asks Peter Jenkins Suicide and sudden death: Andrew Kinder examines how counsellors are prepared for suicide and sudden death in organisations The workplace counsellor's toolbox: Elspeth Schwenk looks at how our multitasking skills impact on our identity and training EAP referrals: Gordon Machin presents a day in the life of an EAP affiliate counsellor Setting up in private practice: Dorrit Prichard offers advice for counsellors thinking about going it alone

Autumn 2005 issue Mental health at work: Tara St John discusses the factors that affect mental health in the workplace and looks at what employers can do to help Stress and mental health in the work-place – the interview: Rick Hughes talks to Henrietta Marriage, Head of Mind's Legal Unit, about the implications of the recent report, Stress and mental health in the workplace Vocational rehabilitation: Leonie Nowland responds to the need to manage absence and proposes a new role for workplace counsellors Attendance, absence and alignment: Kevin Friery discusses the psychological contract as a key factor in the employment relationship Disabled clients: As stress and work-life balance issues are targeted, Marie Larkin reflects on the need to cater for disabled clients Resource appointments: Angie Gaspar, Kim Pearl and Max West explain how a new way of working reduced the client waiting list London bombings: Nicola Gale and George Leach describe the support given to staff from two London NHS teaching trusts The London Underground response: Alison Dunn describes the biggest challenge ever faced by Transport for London's occupational health department Bereavement support: Ann Dent explains how models of grieving can help counsellors support the bereaved

Summer 2005 issue The development of EAPs in the UK Colin Grange charts the evolution of EAPs Critical incident services post-NICE Dr Michael Reddy discusses the trend to de-pathologise post-incident responses When self-referrals can be too little, too late Linda Hoskinson assesses the range of referral sources From little acorns mighty oaks grow EAP developments in new markets Richard Hopkins EAP beginner’s guide Allan Turner discusses responsibilities, competencies and opportunities Employee counselling Tony Buon considers whether managers should become involved The trauma business Geoff Holmes reflects on humanity in trauma support The psychology of trauma management in organisations Vicky Langston reflects on the relevance of the ACW conference to her work in military health research Legal update: the case of the boiled frogs Peter Jenkins takes an amphibious and lighthearted look at duty of care From CEPEC to ACW Shirley Cullup researches the evolution of ACW

Spring 2005 issue A bridge over troubled water: bringing together coaching and counselling Tatiana Bachirova and Elaine Cox Behavioural contracting and confidentiality in organisational coaching Gladeana McMahon explains that organisations may request some feedback on workplace coaching assignments, but that in order to safeguard confidentiality, effective initial contracting issues can help maintain such boundaries The evolution and success of workplace coaching Patrick Williams C is for coaching: an overview By teasing out the real value of coaching in organisations, Lindsey Waddell explores how leaders can improve their performance and increase their skills A framework for coaching standards: clearing the way through the jungle Gil Schwenk outlines the recent work of the European Mentoring and Coaching Council to develop standards among the coaching community Workplace counselling: a poor relation? Andrew Kinder argues that there is a difference between working in private practice and working for an employee assistance programme – and that training courses fail to prepare trainees for what he asserts is the main growth sector in counselling Employee beliefs and attitudes about workplace counselling: a research issue of practical importance Employees access counselling services with a set of expectations. Research is crucial, says John McLeod, to help us determine how, why, where and when employees might access such services

Winter 2004 issue A model of work stress to underpin the Health and Safety Executive advice for tackling work-related stress and stress risk assessments Stephen Palmer, Cary Cooper and Kate Thomas Stress - does it mean anything? Kevin Friery asks if stress is a useful construct for workplace counsellors Work-related stress - a new framework Nicholas Booker introduces the HSE's new Management Standards Debriefing in the fire service Laura Lawrence and George Barber describe the integrated approach of the critical incident debriefing team at the Tyne and Wear fire and rescue service Stress audits: what are they and why bother? Andrew Kinder outlines an organisation's duty of care to employees and reflects on the recent HSE Management Standards as a means to an effective stress audit Workplace counselling Max Henderson, Matthew Hotopf and Simon Wessely Stress counselling - help or hindrance? Angela Patmore of the Daily Mail has often criticised 'the stress industry'. Alison Dunn challenges her views by illustrating the benefits of an integrated stress response by the London Underground and Transport for London Research matters: case study research - exploring innovative approaches to practice All counselling service providers appreciate the need to monitor their effectiveness. John McLeod continues his research column by reflecting on the value of case study research as an innovative approach to practice evaluation

Autumn 2004 issue Trauma management vs stress debriefing Dr Jo Rick and Dr Rob Briner discuss the options Tackling the macho culture Mark Brayne, director of the Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma's operations in Europe, reveals how foreign correspondents can prepare for and cope with reporting in hostile environments Consultation, debriefing, review or supervision? Eileen Pickard and John Towler consider the implications of the language and culture of a profession for the workplace Eclectisism and integration within workplace counselling John Lees debates the therapeutic position of counselling in the workplace Managing staff after a workplace incident Mandy Rutter shares her thoughts on the role of managers after a traumatic incident and offers some general guidelines Research matters Professor John McLeod introduces a new regular research column Ethical guidelines for researching counselling and psychotherapy This extract from the recently published guidelines by Tim Bond gives a flavour of the importance of this crucial area for practitioners Managing data protection and client information systems Peter Jenkins reviews the latest legal position for counsellors on data protection Queries and dilemmas What should you say in a report to a client's employer? Agenda for change Barry McInnes and George Leach clarify the impact on staff counsellors

Summer 2004 issue ACW Conference - keynote speech: Alan Jamieson, Deputy CEO of BACP and irrepressible 'blue sky thinker', offers his view of careers, communication and the future of counselling A personal view: John Herring attends his first ACW conference Conference, workshops and networking: Accreditation, coaching, running your own business, trauma and debriefing Predicting the future: Tony Buon prophesies the future of workplace counselling and EAPs (0.8 MB) Do counsellors make good mediators?: Nora Doherty argues that additional training is necessary What's the use of CORE?: Geoff Holmes makes up his mind at a conference for workplace counsellors In conversation: Andrew Kinder and Peter Jenkins discuss the legal position on workplace stress EAP provision within occupational health: Christine White describes the approach to workplace counselling taken by her EAP Queries and dilemmas: Exploring the dual nature of EAP contracts Where are we going?: Caroline Toll explains why she felt excluded from the ACW conference Obituary - Margaret Jarvie: Maggie Harris pays tribute to the 'Mother of Counselling'

Spring 2004 issue One head, many hats: Anne Millar describes the challenges of she faces as a senior welfare officer and counsellor at Lothian and Borders Police Headquarters Specialist practitioners: Should workplace counselling become a specialist profession in its own right? Norman Claringbull considers the issues that could arise In the firing line: What are the limits of employer duty of care? Peter Jenkins investigates how the Ministry of Defence deals with massive claims for compensation Gulf War Syndrome: The collapse of the legal battle against the Ministry of Defence Adapting to client needs: Peter Walters illustrates his approach in an NHS setting (3.7 MB) From welfare to workplace counselling: Andrew Kinder and Richard Park examine the changing role of counselling and welfare services at the Royal Mail Group The trauma trade: Patrick Carlyon shares an Australian view of counselling disaster survivors A marriage of convenience: Kathy Donnelly describes her work with an EAP at Shell

Winter 2003 issue Inequality is not an option: Pauline Alexander describes how the Disability Discrimination Act might impact on the provision of counselling services Legal perspectives: Peter Jenkins talks about the increase in litigation concerning stress and the impact on workplace counsellors (3.6 MB) Developing work contracts: Do counsellors need to create formal contracts with clients and employers? Elspeth Schwenk says it's well worth the effort Queries and dilemmas: Is a counsellor's duty to a former client or to their employers? John Towler and George Leach offer their views Stress in court: The Court of Appeal ruling on stress provides an definitive interpretation of the responsibilities of employer and employee. Andrew Kinder considers the implications The Data Protection Act: Mike Penhaligon describers the process of notifying Gestalt: A powerful organisational tool for change? Rachel Weiss finds it invaluable in the development of her counselling practice A beacon of excellence: Gisela Unsworth reports. Kingston Hospital's HSE award for its stress prevention policy and highlights areas applicable to other organisations

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