Provisional titles chosen for the assessed presentations on 19/10, 26/10 and 2/11

Hi everybody, below are the provisional broad topics you have chosen for the assessed talks for my Communication Unit. I think this shows a real breadth of knowledge that you are all developing and I am genuinely looking forward to hearing how you structure your thoughts. 

I would say a minimum of three sources is what you should be looking at, but I am expecting quite a lot more from some of you, depending on the subject chosen. 

All the best, Mark

• Grief, effects on mental health and wellbeing
• The 'Gloria' tapes
• Addiction
• Postpartum Depression
• Mental health and the pandemic
• Anxiety
• Social media and the effects on mental health
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Borderline Personality Disorder
• Depression
• Eating disorders
• Trichotillomania
• Meditation and mental health
• (Alcohol) addiction
• Schizoaffective disorder
• PTSD
• Trauma therapy

Assessment dates for oral presentation (5-8 minutes)

Hi all,

Another great session today, thank you and some amazing ideas. Thanks in particular to John R who I think is right, we can all benefit from listening to all the wonderful presentations across the three sessions.

You do not HAVE to attend all three, but you will all be very welcome. We will agree that oral questions can only come from me and the other five in the allotted presentation slot.

Tuesday 19th October at 2 - Lisa, Robyn, Vel, Joanne, John M, Kellie-Anne

Tuesday 26th October at 2 - John R, Jan, Andrea, Yvonne, Ainsley, Shannon

Tuesday 2nd November at 2 - Robin, Ciara, Lorraine, Anna, Alannah, Johnathan

I will note the topics in another post later.

All the best,

Mark

Supporting the mental health of Afghan refugees (News from BACP)

https://www.bacp.co.uk/news/news-from-bacp/2021/21-september-supporting-the-mental-health-of-afghan-refugees/ 

Hi all, I thought this was a really interesting article where a therapist working with Afghan refugees has shared an insight into how the situation in the country is impacting people’s mental health.

Let me know what you think.

All the best,

Mark

Reminder of the types of topics you could choose for the oral presentation assessment

Hi all, just a wee reminder of the types of topics you might wish to consider for the first assessment for the unit, which is an individual presentation lasting no less than 5 minutes and no longer than 8 minutes. You should conduct some research that examines all of the important issues in relation to your chosen topic, which will be on a topic related to the Counselling Programme:

• Mental health and wellbeing
• Mental health and mental illness
• Loss and grief
• Services provided by counsellors
• Loneliness and its effects on the elderly
• Addiction
• Stress and stress management
• The role of the Counsellor
• Social media and the effects on mental health and well being
• Counselling and the pandemic
• Theorists and theories attached to Counselling
• Another vocationally relevant topic of your choice (after discussion with and agreed by me).

How to find peace with loss through music

 How to find peace with loss through music

Above is a link to a beautiful TED talk delivered and played, by Stephen Sharp Nelson.

Music can act as a guide, says cellist Steven Sharp Nelson. It has the power to unlock the mind, tap into the heart and bring light in the darkest times. Take a deep breath as Nelson takes you on a melodic, meditative journey that could reconnect you with your closest loved ones -- no matter how near or far they may be.

I found it powerful, thought-provoking, slightly unconventional perhaps, engaging and one I wished to share with you. Maybe it will strike a chord with you?

I would love to hear your thoughts, especially after our class on effective and ineffective presentation technique today.

Please note any thoughts you have on the delivery, the content, the tone, the flow, the things you thought about as you engaged with the talk.

Enjoy 👌

Unconditional positive regard –the power of self acceptance presentation

Thank you so much John R for suggesting this excellent TED talk for inclusion on our blog. Please post your thoughts and feedback on this talk in the comments section.

Unconditional positive regard is supporting and accepting a person regardless of what they have said or done. It is a term made popular by the Humanistic Psychologist Carl Rogers. When we hold this regard for ourselves and others, healthy development, effective communication and mutually respectful relationships follow.

                                            "But I can’t always stay centred and accepting!"

That’s okay, you don’t need to. As human beings we sometimes get triggered and react in ways that are harmful to others and our relationships. With awareness and self-acceptance we can learn how to acknowledge our challenges, repair and move back to a place of centre. From this space we can then connect to the more evolved part of our brain, which allows us to respond creatively with empathy for both ourselves and others.

http://www.michellecharfen.com/

"My parents won't let me get the Covid vaccine..."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/health-58437672 - what do you think about this? Comments welcome below.

Any thoughts on this question?

Responses in the comments section please!

Recap of classes two and three - moral dilemmas and communication and the counsellor

Hi all,

Two fantastic classes over the last few sessions, I really enjoyed the discussion and considered input from you all. Confidence is growing weekly, fantastic. 

31st August - we looked at three moral dilemmas, which worked a treat. I gave three scenarios where you were given (limited) information on three broad topics. There was no right or wrong way to evaluate the situations, but I was (I think cunningly) looking at how you might dissect the situation(s). The answer was that you all did so in a measured, evaluative and considered way. As all good counsellors would which acted as a helpful springboard into the following class.

7th September - we looked at the importance of effective communication, what that means by way of definition and also what skills are necessary to develop as a professional counsellor. I found this to be an enlightening session, so well done to all contributors. 

I have e mailed everybody the slides from both sessions.

Next week we will look at effective and ineffective oral presentation delivery techniques and share some experiences as always.

Please keep doing what you are all doing, the class is performing brilliantly, so keep the momentum up. A shared learning environment which is both supportive and informative will always appeal to me!

Until next week then,

Mark