PCT Scotland

We had another wonderful day of engaging with the theory and reflecting on our experience on 9th November with Susan Stephen (Congruence In Action - The Person-Centred Approach In Action). The workshop was fully booked and we had many lively and inspiring interactions and conversations throughout the workshop. Susan was a clear and very approachable presenter and offered a great opportunity for us to meet in both small groups and the larger community. 

 

We would like to thank everyone who helped make it a great day and for all of those who have supported the workshop programme through the year and made it so successful.

 

 

 

 

This was a really helpful, thought provoking workshop, well structured and clearly presented. It will contribute usefully to my practice and thinking going forward and it was also lovely to be amongst person-centred professionals.

 

 

 

I really enjoyed the workshop and learned a lot about perspectives on Congruence. I thought Susan explained it all very clearly and allowed space for plenty small and large group sharing. All three workshops were a great opportunity for person centred practitioners to meet together. It is wonderful to see that PCTScotland is growing through this process and I'm happy to support further work in any way possible as we go forward and will definitely attend any future workshops. Thanks to all the facilitators that made it happen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was great to be with so many person-centred people again and for the group to share such a range of insights and experiences.  And to hear about Susan's work and recasting of congruence as congruent functioning. I particularly enjoyed the amount of time given to group intros and discussions. A great mix of learning. Thank you.

 

 

 

 

Another great workshop, both in terms of the group experience and the topic - and so well attended that even Cardboard Carl couldn't get in!

 

Susan's research used Rogers' detailed descriptions of what growth actually looks like in a creative way, and opened up new ways of recognising it in our client work. Great food for thought, which stimulated some lively break-out discussions.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                  Save the Dates!!

Our initial programme of workshops this year have been so successful that we are excited to announce that a further programme of workshops will take place in 2025. These will continue the theme of The Person-Centred Approach in Action. 

The issue of power is central to the Approach, and to the Approach in action (echoing the overarching title of the series). Each workshop will begin from a different place in relation to power and the theory and we hope that throughout the year we will be able to build a coherent and vibrant space in which participants can gather to reflect on, discuss, challenge and experience their feelings and thoughts around this crucial part of our work and lives. 

All of the workshops will take place at The Spark – a dedicated training space with breakout/lunch room – in Wellington Street, Glasgow. Further information about these workshops and details of how to book a place will be published soon on PCT Scotland’s website. 

Late as it is this feedback from the workshop which took place on 31st August is still worth reading. Once more we had a great day and it was a fascinating and moving experience to watch the video of Dave Mearns working with Terry Daly over 30 years ago. The following discussion with Terry was enriching – and it was exciting to experience the group coming together and sharing their thoughts and experiences both of the video and from their own lives and practice. 

 

We are looking forward to another day of engaging with the theory and reflecting on our experience on 9th November with Susan Stephen (Congruence In Action - The Person-Centred Approach In Action). At present this workshop is fully booked but we are holding a waiting list. Contact Barbara Malinen on bookings@pctscotland.co.uk 

 

News of the PCT Scotland Person-Centred Counselling in Action workshops for 2025 will be coming soon!

 

 

thanks so much to everyone for welcoming me with open arms on Saturday, it was a brilliant experience for me and I felt very lucky and privileged to have been able to come along. It was quite a ‘unicorn’ experience! I don’t think I’ll ever again get the opportunity to see a recorded session, presented by the client, some 30 years later, and have such an active and stimulating discussion around it.

 

 

 

"What a fantastic workshop. Seeing Person Centred counselling in action and then having the privilege of discussing our experience of this with our counselling tribe. Terry Daly facilitated this discussion beautifully. A very rich experience and I would sign up for more of those type of workshops in the future.

 

The day was very well organised and the timings for the different elements of the day were perfect. Thanks to Barbara Malinen for organising the this."

 

 

Attending the second workshop organised by PCTSCOTLAND at the weekend where we watched a video session of Dave Mearns counselling Terry Daly. There followed group discussion about this session which was lively and many different perspectives. We then heard how Terry had felt a year later and then the same from Dave. The main element to come out of this was the power of Dave's presence and how this enabled Terry to meet himself and understand more of his own process. I have been counselling for many years now and always think it is good to revisit the basics of Roger's theoretical model so as to reflect on my own practice. Another great day of reflection, growth, and good discussion.

 

 

 

This workshop was for those who want to go beyond the “three conditions”. It turns out that there are six! But this recording, from 30 years ago, was Dave Mearns and one of his then-students. The client did over 90% of the talking. In a “follow-up" made a year later, Dave wondered if he had spoken too much. The recording illustrated the power of silence, that is, “less is more”, but it was NOT a technique. It was precisely what was needed, as the counsellor and client carefully inched forward to meet in the moment.

 

Don’t be put off by my saying that this was recorded 30 years ago; it is as fresh and vital now as it was the day it was recorded. It is a golden nugget illustrating the Person-centred theory of change.

 

 

 

This was my first post qualifying personal training event. I have read a lot of Dave Mearns' books and articles so it was really great to have the opportunity to see him in action, and even better to have Terry there to share his experience. Terry's willingness / generosity to share his experience was incredible - so impactful and so much to process. His description of the contradictions going on within him in the session and beyond and also Dave's discussion of 'being present not being the same as understanding' are just two areas of learning that will stay with me a long long time. I also very much appreciated the depth of knowledge in the room and the willingness of participants to openly discuss and reflect upon the implications for practice. It was v relevant to my current practice as a volunteer counsellor and rich material for ongoing reflection and development.

 

Thank you to all - and I'm looking forward to the next workshop in November.

 

 

 

I really enjoyed spending time with other person-centred counsellors, sharing experiences and ideas. It was really helpful to be able to watch an example of a PCT session and hear feedback about the experience.  I found the workshop re-affirmed why I want to be involved in this work and why I like being a member of PCT Scotland.

Thank you!

(lunch wasn't as good as last time mind you! )

 

 

 

I found the workshop a very powerful and profound experience. It was a great opportunity to look deeply into the Person–Centred approach. I discovered rich learning for my own practice and I experienced the whole day as an extremely valuable space for exploration and learning with colleagues. It was a unique experience to be able to focus on the person-centred approach with other person-centred practitioners, coming together as a person -centred family rather than tribes.  I think the PCT Scotland series of Person-Centred Counselling in Action is a great idea and a bold contribution to Person-Centred voices being heard at this time, and the approach flourishing in the world.

 

 

Having very recently qualified, I was pretty apprehensive about coming along to the workshop and unsure what to expect. However, everyone was so welcoming, and the group felt very inclusive and supportive. It was inspiring to be involved in such rich discussions around person-centred practice, and to hear from therapists working in different settings and with varying degrees of experience. The day after the workshop I booked a place on the next one. Thank you! 

 

 In response to members' requests we are pleased to announce that PCT Scotland are running 2 Encounter Groups this year.  

These will take place at 2 different venues.   A further date will be organised in 2025 if there is an interest.  Non-members are welcome as well.

ENCOUNTER GROUP 1

DATE:     October 19th 2024
VENUE: Stirling Court Hotel FK9 4LA

ENCOUNTER GROUP 2

DATE:     January 25th 2025
VENUE: Premier Inn George Street Glasgow G1 1YU 

Both event spaces are accessible. 

Cost:  Attendance to the events is FREE to members.  Non-members are welcome, and will be charged at £35.  Refreshments and lunch included, if requested. 

If you are interested in attending either of these events please express your interest by email to the Secretary at PCT Scotland so that further registration details can be sent to you. 

EMAIL: secretary.pctscotland@gmail.com

We look forward to encountering you there 

This fund was established in 2005 to support those members unable to participate in the organisational processes when there is,  for example, financial constraints, child care costs, travel costs etc. which limit the embers ability to take part.

Some contribution towards fees for study days, workshops, encounter groups, AGM’s of PCTScotland will be considered on an individual basis.

The fund may also be used to assist people who are experiencing financial difficulties to join or renew membership.

As a way of sustaining a fund members will be invited to donate to the fund as they renew their yearly membership. Contributions are entirely voluntary. 

Requests from the fund can be made by applying in writing to the treasurer or secretary of the association at the email addresses below: