Feedback from the Person Centred Counselling in Action Workshop with Barbara Malinen 31st May 2025

This was PCT Scotland’s third workshop of our 2025 series, and twenty seven of us gathered to spend some time listening to and discussing Barbara’s questions and ideas about what we don’t talk about when we talk about power. It was an excellent and thought-provoking day. There was a lot of verbal feedback at the time but here are some afterthoughts:

Charles

Thanks ... for another great workshop and opportunity to meet, and be inspired by, fellow practitioners.

Sarah

I enjoyed the workshop immensely and appreciated the opportunity to speak about some of the ways power and lack of power is manifested in the therapeutic relationship. The core conditions were present in the group, allowing for a nuanced and congruent discussion around some of the more uncomfortable aspects of the power we hold as counsellors. I enjoyed the mix of learning from theory and free-flowing dialogue with peers. Thank you to all involved.

Lesley

Thanks for the workshop. It was a good day, made me realise how much more I want to think about power in therapy and life in general. Feels like we just scratched the surface! I really appreciated the mix of experienced and trainee colleagues too.

Marion

A  very enjoyable workshop day, great to connect with fellow therapists and trainees and to be able to explore such an important topic in a warm and welcoming environment

Richard

Many thanks for your leading of the workshop. I'm finding it a very welcoming space and am looking forward to attending more events!

I've come away with lots to reflect on my relationship with power, and implications for practice. It was great to hear a variety of perspectives from the group in response to some thought-provoking questions. Looking forward to more of these events!

Fiona

It was another great day. The content was very engaging and stimulating. I'm still processing so much. Big thank you to the group as well for their sharing and being so open.   

Gavin

I really enjoyed the day, particularly people's reflections on their childhood and other examples of when power is used in various situations.  I particularly enjoyed breaking out into the smaller group sessions.  It was a well-constructed day.

It definitely came across that this subject was very personal to you.

Anonymous

I have enjoyed the workshop a lot and recommend it to anyone who wants to delve deeper. The term ‘power’ in a counselling context can be explored in many ways and what I liked about last Saturday was the confrontation with the topic. We were able to explore our own story with power and by telling your story there’s a risk for misinterpretation. 

Thank you for organising the workshop again.

Anonymous

I did have a good day at last week’s workshop. The word power really gets the juices flowing in many of us especially at this time in the world. It is always very useful for me to know what I think and feel about the power of my own power.

I experienced a very safe space with excellent facilitation.

Anonymous

A really great mixture of lecture and workshop/group work. I particularly enjoyed the 1:1 group work, where I found there was time to really share and discuss and be heard.

Anonymous

I thought the session was sensitively handled and had a good balance of material vs discussion.  I was struck that the workshop stimulated such a broad, invigorating and passionate discussion, which gave me a sense of the size of this topic, and has provoked my interest in reading more re power.  I really enjoy that these PCT Scotland workshops feel like a mix between workshop and encounter group as there is plenty of time given to discussion / experiantial learning  I would have appreciated a heads up on the expected level of knowledge required as my knowledge on the subject of power was quite low. Would have meant I could have read a bit before coming.

If you are interested in joining us for the final workshop of 2025 - on 23rd Augsut - please contact Barbara Malinen on bookings@pctscotland.co.uk