315 – Neurodivergence and Autism

Digital Tools in Online Therapy Sessions – Developing an Emotional Vocabulary

In Episode 315 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly take us through this week’s three topics:

• First up in ‘Ethical, Sustainable Practice’, Rory and Ken discuss Neurodivergence-Affirming Psychotherapy.
• Then in ‘Practice Matters’, Rory speaks with Ellie Finch about using digital tools in online therapy sessions.
• And lastly in ‘Student Services’, we look at developing an emotional vocabulary.

Neurodivergence and Autism [starts at 03:19 mins]

All clients deserve to feel seen and understood within the therapy room. In this section, Rory and Ken discuss neurodivergence and autism in session:

• It’s important to be accepting of people in the therapy room.
• The language around neurodivergence and autism is still changing and developing.
• There is a need to use the correct language for the time.
• We want the client to feel understood.
• Divergence is an otherness – this doesn’t mean it is bad, it is simply different.
• Everyone experiences the world differently.
• We need to be able to understand these clients and meet them where they are.
• It takes time to adapt and get used to – having training and developing your understanding is crucial.
• You can develop or adapt your practice to help the client – be flexible.

Digital Tools in Online Therapy Sessions [starts at 27:09 mins]

In this week’s ‘Practice Matters’, Rory speaks with Ellie Finch about using digital tools in online therapy sessions.

The key points of this discussion include:

• Digital tools are a great way to make online sessions engaging.
• Using digital tools can be useful to younger clients – bringing therapy into their comfort zone.
• There are multiple considerations regarding data protection – making sure you’re complying with your local data protection laws.
• Where are you storing data?
• Make sure you’re getting a client’s informed consent.
• Using digital sand trays and video games can really enhance the client experience.
• You can find the one that suits you and become comfortable with it.
• You’re using counselling skills you already have in a new environment.

Developing an Emotional Vocabulary [starts at 50:22 mins]

It’s a skill to be able to put a name to different emotions, and it’s a skill that can help a client to better understand their own emotions. In this section, Rory and Ken discuss why developing an emotional vocabulary is important:

• Be able to name emotions and understand them.
• There are primary and secondary emotions.
• Learn how to regulate your emotions.
• Be able to go beyond the words happy, sad, angry, etc.
• There are different levels to emotions e.g. are you just happy? Or are you ecstatic?
• Recognising and seeing a client’s emotions can completely change the energy of the session.
• As the counsellor, we can maybe put a name to an emotion that the client was struggling to identify.
• This can take trust within the therapeutic relationship to the next level.
• There is a condition called alexithymia, where someone might have a problem with interpreting or actually feeling emotions.
• Certain emotions might be deemed acceptable, while others are unacceptable – has your client been told they should suppress some emotions?
• Let the client know they can express their emotions in the room with you – it’s acceptable for them to experience these emotions.

Links and Resources

• Ellie Finch
• 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