297 – Scams Targeting Therapists

Using Counselling Skills as a Filmmaker – Finding Your Voice in Supervision

In Episode 297 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’, Rory and Ken discuss navigating and protecting yourself from scams targeting therapists.
• Then in ‘Practice Matters’, Rory speaks with Alex Gulland about how, as a filmmaker, she uses counselling skills to make sure the people she interviews are heard and understood.
• And lastly in ‘Student Services’, we look at finding your voice in supervision.

Avoiding Scams Targeting Therapists [starts at 03:25 mins]

Unfortunately, scams have become increasingly common. It’s important that we can recognise when something isn’t quite right, and take precautions to protect ourselves.

The key points of this discussion on scams targeting therapists include:

• Overpayment scam – where someone pretending to be a potential client will ask if they can pay for 10 sessions in advance before sending the amount for 20 sessions. They would then ask to be refunded for the overpayment before reversing their transaction, leaving you out of pocket.
• In order to avoid this, say that you will refund the transaction within 7-10 days to ensure the money is deposited into your account before giving it back.
• Directory scam – they might request banking information from you, allowing them to take out loans in your name. This is a form of identity theft.
• Be wary of being asked for information such as your full name, your address, or your card details via phone or email.
• Don’t allow yourself to be pressured or emotionally manipulated.
• Another way to protect yourself from scams targeting therapists is being wary of clicking links you get sent – check the address that it has been sent from.

Using Counselling Skills as a Filmmaker [starts at 24:48 mins]

In this week’s ‘Practice Matters’, Rory speaks with Alex Gulland about how she uses her counselling skills to make sure the people she interviews are heard and understood.

The main points of this section include:

• Alex has found that using counselling skills can be helpful when interviewing for a documentary on difficult events.
• It’s very directive in comparison to a counselling session – this keeps that boundary in place and prevents it from turning into a counselling session.
• It’s important to be strict with your emotional boundaries, be assured that you are doing all that you can to help. This will keep that emotional distance in place.
• Making sure they have support as they walk away from the interview after recounting traumatic events.
• Being mindful of the emotions brought up in an interview, pick up on body language etc.

Finding Your Voice in Supervision [starts at 47:11 mins]

In order to get the most out of your supervision, you need to be able to find your voice. In this section, Rory and Ken share some things to think about when it comes to your relationship with your supervisor, and whether you’re getting the most out of those sessions:

• Remember that your supervisor isn’t trying to catch you out.
• You’re allowed to say if you’re unsure of something.
• You can challenge and discuss with your supervisor.
• It’s important to be open and honest, bring your full self.
• There is the opportunity for you to learn from each other.
• You want an interesting and balanced relationship where you look for what is best for the client.
• You might have more up-to-date knowledge than your supervisor and it’s okay to share that with them.
• Can you be your best self in supervision?
• Supervision should be a collaborative process.
• You should see each other as equal colleagues, without the teacher/student dynamic.

Links and Resources

Alex Gulland

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