336 – Building your Counselling CV

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) – Reviewing Client Progress

In Episode 336 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly take us through this week’s three topics:

• Firstly, in ‘Ethical, Sustainable Practice’, we look at building your counselling CV – including key features to include, ways to stand out, and how to present yourself professionally.
• Then in ‘Practice Matters’, Rory speaks with Nicola Durrant about working with clients who have Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) – a profile on the autism spectrum that requires a unique and flexible therapeutic approach.
• And lastly in ‘Student Services’, Rory and Ken look at how to review a client’s progress in therapy – and why it’s an important part of ethical and effective practice.

Building your Counselling CV  [starts at 03:31 mins]

A counselling CV is your first professional impression – and it should reflect not only your qualifications but also your values and personal qualities. In this section, Rory and Ken explore what makes an effective and authentic CV:

• Start by making sure it’s well-structured and no more than 2–4 pages.
• Tailor it to each job, making sure you reflect the ethos of the organisation you’re applying to.
• Be honest about your experience, but also include transferable skills such as active listening, communication, and resilience.
• Include professional memberships, ethical awareness, and a commitment to personal development.
• A personal statement can be a great way to communicate your motivation, values, and readiness for the role.
• If you’ve done any research or CPD, mention this too – especially if it aligns with the organisation’s client group or focus.
• Ask a peer or supervisor to read your CV and give feedback – having a second pair of eyes helps spot anything you may have missed.

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) [starts at 29:46 mins]

In this week’s Practice Matters, Rory speaks with Nicola Durrant about Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) – a profile on the autism spectrum characterised by a high level of anxiety around everyday demands.

The key points of this conversation include:

• PDA is a survival response to perceived demands – it is not about control or defiance.
• People with PDA often mask their anxiety, especially in school or social environments, and release it later in safe spaces like home.
• Therapy must be collaborative and low-pressure – avoid direct demands and use invitational language like “I wonder if…”
• Strategies such as co-regulation, emotional literacy, and flexible structure help support clients with PDA.
• Trauma-informed practice is essential – the behaviours often resemble trauma responses such as fight, flight, or freeze.
• Adults with PDA don’t outgrow it – they learn how to manage demands and environments that help them feel safe and in control.

Reviewing Client Progress [starts at 54:29 mins]

Reviewing client progress is a core part of ethical practice, particularly in short-term therapy or student placements. In this section, Rory and Ken look at why reviews are important and how to approach them:

• Reviews allow the client to reflect on progress, clarify goals, and express what has been helpful or challenging.
• This also supports therapist development and helps guide future sessions.
• You can carry out a review through conversation or using tools like the CORE-10 assessment.
• Let clients know at the start that a review will happen mid-way through the work – this makes it feel natural and expected.
• Adapt the review timing to the client’s progress and needs – it doesn’t have to be exactly session six.
• Ask questions like “How do you feel things are going so far?” or “Is there anything you’d like to change or focus on more?”
• Use supervision to reflect on what comes up in client reviews – this can strengthen your awareness and planning for the second half of therapy.

Links and Resources

Send Station

Counselling Skills Academy

Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision

Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide

Counsellor CPD

Counselling Study Resource

Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide

Counselling Tutor Shop

Facebook group

Website

Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner’s Guide

Online and Telephone Counselling Course