Research and methodology on the treatment of self-criticism in counselling is limited in the recent literature. This article describes how harsh automatic self-criticism became viewed within several theoretical frameworks as a sub-personality with a purpose rather than a simple psychological mechanism. The article reviews a number of approaches to therapeutic work with clients experiencing habitual self-criticism. It outlines eight therapeutic steps to gaining freedom from the inner critic, including getting to know self-critical “voices”, understanding their origins, recognising what activates escalation of self-criticism, and making efforts that create distance from the corrosive effect of self-criticism. Ways to become grounded and self-compassionate, and to develop an individualised wellbeing plan are discussed as components of gaining freedom from self-critical dominance.

Background Despite the evidence supporting the use of opioids to manage chronic breathlessness, these are rarely prescribed, indicating the need for enhanced SDM in this field. The Waldron 2020 SDM program theory explores the relationship between various factors in patients‘ and healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) engagement in SDM. This systematic narrative literature review assesses enablers and constrainers of SDM in the prescription of opioids for chronic breathlessness and evaluates whether the Waldron’¯SDM program theory can explain the operation of these factors. Methods A literature search was conducted on Medline, Embase, PsychInfo, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science (1946 ‘‘ June 2020). Studies were selected if they took place in Europe, Canada, or Oceania, and addressed an element present in decision making for the management of chronic breathlessness with opioids. Thematic analysis identified patient and HCP factors involved in the prescribing of opioids for chronic breathlessness. Their effect on SDM was assessed using Waldron’s SDM programme theory. Results Six themes were identified: concerns with side effects, knowledge of opioid use for breathlessness, acceptability, prior experiences, awareness of symptom severity, and system support. HCPs were reported to have more negative attitudes towards opioid use for breathlessness, particularly in the context of COPD, than patients. HCP’s support by the MDT improved engagement in SDM. Open, clear communication addressing patients‘ questions and concerns, alongside HCP’s revisiting of the discussion enabled SDM. A simple change in attitude from either the patient or HCP could be determining to increasing engagement with SDM. Conclusions Research is scarce on SDM in opioid prescription for breathlessness. Limitations include the lack of quality appraisal of evidence. The Waldron SDM program theory appropriately supports SDM in this context. This review informs patient-centred care on management of chronic breathlessness with opioids through SDM, and highlights gaps in the literature.

Mindfulness can support clients and can support trainee counsellors in dealing with internship anxiety. Since the personal development of a counsellor is core to therapy outcomes, the positive impact of mindfulness practice on therapeutic presence validates mindfulness programs within counsellor education. This qualitative study applied thematic analysis to written reports from 53 post-graduate counselling interns who participated in piloting an eight-week mindfulness challenge. Six major themes emerged: the variety of mindfulness activities, observations of self, insights about self and mindfulness, hindrances to practice, outcomes from participation, and advice for others. Intern reports indicated that mindfulness was not easy to learn, could be explored through a range of activities, and for most the practice contributed to growth in self-awareness.

This article investigates a range of literature, research, and therapeutic outcomes associated with Poetry Therapy as a therapeutic modality for supporting adolescents. Poetry Therapy has been shown to be an effective counselling tool when engaging with adolescents and their experiences of transition from childhood to adulthood. Like all creative arts therapies, Poetry Therapy can strengthen self-understanding and be a bridge between known and forgotten aspects of the psyche. While there is a growing evidence base that strongly suggests Poetry Therapy is effective, there are recommendations to strengthen the reliability of research outcomes.

This article provides an overview of the pluralistic approach to counselling and psychotherapy. It discusses the way the practices have moved from an earlier “schoolism” or “one for all” approach, to an interest in developing and testing integrative practices. Furthermore, the increasingly respectful relating with clients that emerges from taking client preferences and differences into account is discussed. The way pluralistic practice leads both logically and ethically towards an extension of Carl Roger’s person-centred approach, introduced over 60 years ago, is discussed. The need for more detailed outcome research on pluralism is identified, and the inclusion of personal development within counsellor education, to prepare individuals to be flexible in their responses and willing to discover client perspectives is recommended.

A pilot training intervention for counselling professionals was designed to introduce theoretical and practical ways of incorporating Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences (MI) into counselling practice with adult clients. Eight experienced counsellors were introduced to MI theory and an intelligence preference survey, as well as practical activities designed to use each intelligence. Qualitative data were gathered from the counsellors 3 months post training, to gauge their perspectives on the programme and its impact. Participants responded positively to the training, and indicated enhancement of their professional work. The MI preference survey was considered particularly helpful in informing treatment choices. Activities that primarily used the visual-spatial and musical-rhythmic intelligences were found to be most useful.

While therapeutic alliance formation has been widely researched over many sessions of psychotherapy, the question of alliance formation in short-term counselling has been less explored. Given the increasing evidence in the literature for the positive impact of alliances on therapy outcomes, providing counsellors - who may work with clients for a limited number of sessions with enhanced insight into alliance formation will be of value. This qualitative study investigated the experiences of eight counsellors forming alliances with clients over short periods. Semi-structured interviews were analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis. Five major themes emerged, that while congruent with the alliance literature, add some details relevant to day-to-day practice. These themes included: the importance of strong alliances; the need for psychologically comfortable environments; the timing of alliance formation; and the impact of counsellor personal qualities - such as being real - in strengthening and maintaining alliances. In addition, an unexpected sixth theme revealed that body language was highly valued as an indicator of strong or weak alliances. Implications for increasing the use of body language to enhance counselling practice and education are discussed.

This qualitative study investigated the experiences of 8 counselors as they introduced multiple intelligences theory and activities into therapy with adult clients. As research on the application of multiple intelligences in the field of education has revealed many positive psychological benefits, this study explores possible therapeutic benefits from incorporating multiple intelligences within therapy. Semistructured interviews, conducted 3 months post multiple intelligences training, were transcribed and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The major themes that emerged included perceptions of enhanced therapeutic alliances, more effective professional work, experiences of increased confidence, positive client response to a strength-based approach, positive client responses to a multiple intelligences preference survey, and positive outcomes from the use of music. Implications include the value of further long-term research on the benefits of using a multiple intelligence approach to therapy as an integrating metatheory, and instructing counseling trainees in the routine assessment of client abilities through the use of the multiple intelligences approach. © 2015 American Psychological Association.;

7 List of publications included as part of this thesis 8 Conference presentations based on this study 10 Statement of contribution by others 12 Acknowledgements 13 Introduction 14 Terms used within the study 18 Background and context 19 The intervention 20 Significance of the study 21 Statement of aims 22 Research questions 23 How the papers are linked 25 Chapter One: 28 Multiple intelligences and the therapeutic alliance: Incorporating multiple intelligence theory and practice in counselling Pearson: Multiple Intelligences & Therapeutic Alliances 4 Chapter Two: 47 Changing views of theory and practice in counselling: Multiple intelligences, eclecticism and the therapeutic alliance Chapter Three: Research methods 70 Ethical Issues 90 Chapter Four: 96 Therapeutic alliances in short-term counselling. Chapter Five: 127 Multiple intelligences training for counsellors: Reflections on a pilot program Chapter Six: 153 Using multiple intelligences to complement meaning reconstruction with bereaved parents. An analysis of three case reports Chapter Seven: 179 A multiple intelligences approach to counselling: Enhancing alliances with a focus on strengths. Pearson: Multiple Intelligences & Therapeutic Alliances 5 Chapter Eight: Preand post-intervention theme comparisons 209 Implications for counsellor education 218 Further research 221 Limitations 223 Conclusion 223 Afterword Is there an intelligence profile for the counselling profession? 226 Appendices A: Semi-structured interview schedules 232 B: Multiple intelligences preference survey (MIS) 234 C: The MI training intervention program 237 D: Reflecting on your experience of the MI training 239 E: Consent Form 241 F: Information Letter 242 G: Statement of contribution by others 244 H: Permissions from publishers 245

In the wake of the movement towards integrative and eclectic practice, and individually tailored treatments, in the field of counselling, the search for unifying theories continues. Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences (MI), only recently applied to the field of counselling, has a contribution to make in evolving a framework for eclecticism. MI theory may also have a particular contribution to make towards helping counsellors strengthen the therapeutic alliance and enhance flexibility in responding to clients’ needs. Gaining an understanding of clients’ preferred cognitive and communication styles, or ‘intelligences’, enhances an ability to tailor treatment. This article argues that practical ways to increase the strength of the therapeutic alliance, as well as new theoretical foundations for eclectic choices, could emerge through the application of MI theory in the form of expressive therapies / creative arts therapies.

This qualitative study explores the difference a counselling room can make to the work between counsellor and client. Early and recent research relevant to the influence of the workspace on health practitioners, counsellors and their clients is reviewed. A focus group was used to formulate a questionnaire on counsellor perceptions of the contribution of their designated counselling space to the work with clients. Questionnaires were distributed to professional counsellors around Australia. Thirty-four responses were received and analysed for major and minor themes. Emerging themes from the data were compared with the literature. A range of ideal attributes were indicated, including preferences for larger work spaces, natural light, use of aesthetically pleasing decor, and provision for clients to have choice in seating.

In the wake of the movement in the field of counselling towards integrative and eclectic practice the search for unifying theories continues. Gardner‟s theory of multiple intelligences (MI), only recently applied to the field of counselling, has a contribution to make in evolving a framework for eclecticism. MI theory may also have a particular contribution to make towards helping counsellors strengthen the therapeutic alliance and enhance flexibility in responding to clients‟ needs. Gaining an understanding of clients‟ preferred cognitive and communication styles, or „intelligences‟, enhances an ability to tailor treatment. This presentation argues that increases in the therapeutic alliance and foundations for eclecticism could emerge from using MI theory and practice, and holds new possibilities for counsellor education. Mark Pearson is a lecturer in Counselling and Counselling Practicum Coordinator at the University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle. He is also the Director of the Expressive Therapies Institute of Australia, and is currently completing PhD research on the contributions multiple intelligences theory may hold for counselling. He is the author of eight books, including Emotional Healing & SelfEsteem, Emotional Release For Children; Sandplay & Symbol Work and Using Expressive Arts Therapies. See more at www.markpearson.com.au Email: mark.pearson@nd.edu.au Phone: 0419 492 713 Postal: PO Box 783 South Fremantle WA 6162

This paper aims to contribute to the discussion on increasing retention rates in higher degree students. It presents evidence from the literature on the value of increasing counselling and mentoring care for higher degree research students. The creation of, and rationale for, a designated higher degree student counsellor–mentor role is described. The role of a counselling-trained mentor is one that combines elements of counselling, mentoring, organisational and social support for both higher degree research students and supervisors. The creation of this role is proposed as a means of increasing student satisfaction and retention.

How many ways do counselling clients reflect and communicate? How many ways can counsellors respond to client needs? Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences (MI) has only recently been applied to the field of counselling. This discussion highlights the contribution MI theory and practice can make to developing the therapeutic alliance, to supporting a culture of client feedback, to enhancing counsellor flexibility, and to the overall effectiveness of therapy. The therapeutic alliance has been shown to contribute significantly to positive outcomes from counselling. Recent research highlights the positive impact from modifying treatment in response to client needs and interests. Understanding clients’ preferred intelligences enhances counsellors’ ability to tailor treatment. This article argues that counsellors and their clients could experience increases in the therapeutic alliance, in feedback and the effectiveness of the therapeutic process as a result of using MI theory and practice, offered in the form of expressive therapies. Possible new foundations for eclecticism, new directions for counsellor training and enhancement of practice are discussed.