291 – Counselling Neurodivergent Young People

Changing Supervisors - AI and Transcribing Skills Sessions



























In Episode 291 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly are back with this week's three topics:









Firstly in 'Ethical, Sustainable Practice', we look at supervision - when is it time to change your supervisor, or get a second one?







Then in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Sian Clare about working with and counselling neurodivergent young people and students in education.







And lastly in 'Student Services', we look at the use of AI in your studies, particularly transcribing skills sessions.

















Changing Supervisors [starts at 03:22 mins]







You might be reluctant to think about changing your supervisor, but in this section, Rory and Ken highlight some of signs that it might be time to consider it:









As yourself if your supervisor fits with the practice you have now.







Are they trained within the modality you're working with?







You might consider bringing in another supervisor for a certain part of your practice e.g. counselling online and/or over the phone, a specific skill set or niche.







Are you growing in your practice? Being challenged? Receiving gentle challenges from your supervisor is a great way to grow and improve your own skills within your practice.







Are they matching your ethics and your values?







Do they encourage you to look to other areas and modalities?

















Counselling Neurodivergent Young People [starts at 21:15 mins]







In this week's 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Sian Clare about working with neurodivergent young people and students in therapy.







The key points of this discussion include:









There are a high number of adolescents in therapy who are displaying neurodivergent traits - some are diagnosed, others aren't.







It's important that you're able to pick up on these traits, being attuned to the client.







Consider getting this extra training to be able to best support your clients.







Ask questions, do an assessment, and build a picture of your client's needs.







Try and put clients at ease as best you can.







When counselling neurodivergent young people, cater to any sensory needs.







Believe your client; understand their frame of reference.







Help the client become comfortable with who they are, what they enjoy, and their differences from others.







Help them to express their choices, 'I'm the sort of person who…'







Is the client comfortable with eye contact? If not, consider how you will sit during your sessions.







Adaptation, playing to their strengths, working with







Providing psychoeducation for teachers can make a huge difference for the young person and their experience in school.







Understanding masking is important when counselling neurodivergent young people.







This element of CPD comes with employability and further opportunities.







Know the clients special interest, it can be used as a way to help them regulate during sessions.

















AI and Transcribing Skills Sessions [starts at 45:08 mins]