
The #TherapistsConnect Podcast
Dr Peter Blundell interviews therapists about their life and work. The #TherapistsConnect Podcast aims to broaden discussions between therapists and explore pertinent topics related to the therapy community. For more information, discussion and debates go to www.Therapists-Connect.com
Latest episodes

May 29, 2025 • 28min
Jeanine Connor
Therapists Connect Podcast – Episode with Jeanine Connor In this compelling episode, Dr. Peter Blundell is joined by Jeanine Connor, MBACP, MSc, MEd, BSc (Hons)—a psychodynamic psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, prolific author, and editor with over 25 years of experience in the field.Jeanine shares her unique journey through psychotherapy, publishing, and editorial work, offering sharp insights into the inner worlds of children and adolescents. With wit, warmth, and clarity, she reflects on her writing process, the challenges of working with Gen Z clients, and what therapists can learn from the raw, unfiltered language of young people.Author of three acclaimed books—including You’re Not My F*cking Mother and Stop F*cking Nodding - Jeanine’s work challenges and inspires therapists to truly hear and understand the voices of youth. This is a powerful, thought-provoking conversation that will resonate with practitioners across modalities.Jeanine's Links and socials New website:https://www.jeanineconnor.com/ LinkdIn:https://tinyurl.com/yp2n8kbzSend us a text#TherapistsConnect is a platform for connecting therapists. Website: www.Therapists-Connect.comTwitter: @Therapists_CInstagram: @TherapistsConnectFacebook: @TherConnectOrigins of #TherapistsConnect

May 15, 2025 • 27min
Martin Fenerty
#TherapistsConnect Podcast – Episode with Martin Fenerty In this rich and thoughtful conversation, Dr. Peter Blundell interviews person-centred therapist Martin Fenerty about his life, work, and the values that shape his practice. Martin reflects on his early influences, what drew him to the person-centred approach, and the realities of working in today’s therapeutic landscape. With warmth and honesty, he shares personal insights into what it means to build authentic therapeutic relationships, navigate professional challenges, and stay grounded in humanistic values.Whether you’re a student, a seasoned therapist, or simply curious about the person-centred approach, this episode offers both inspiration and depth. Tune in for a moving and meaningful dialogue between two passionate therapists.https://www.instagram.com/mjfcounselling/www.mjfcounselling.comSend us a text#TherapistsConnect is a platform for connecting therapists. Website: www.Therapists-Connect.comTwitter: @Therapists_CInstagram: @TherapistsConnectFacebook: @TherConnectOrigins of #TherapistsConnect

Mar 12, 2025 • 40min
Dr. Jay Beichman
In this episode of the #TherapistsConnect podcast, Dr. Peter Blundell interviews Dr. Jay Beichman about his life, work, and his latest book on pluralism in counselling and psychotherapy. Dr. Beichman shares insights into his writing process and explores how pluralistic approaches are a broad church and that there are many different conceptualisations of what it means to be 'pluralistic'.The conversation also delves into pressing issues within the profession, including the SCoPEd framework and its potential implications for therapists. Dr. Beichman and Dr. Blundell discuss the challenges and debates surrounding professional regulation, access to employment, and the evolving landscape of the field.Additionally, the episode addresses the realities of work-life balance for therapists. Dr. Beichman provides personal reflections on navigating these challenges while staying true to his values as a practitioner.This engaging and thought-provoking discussion offers valuable perspectives for therapists, trainees, and anyone interested in the complexities of modern counselling and psychotherapy. Tune in to gain fresh insights and join the ongoing conversation about the future of the profession.Send us a text#TherapistsConnect is a platform for connecting therapists. Website: www.Therapists-Connect.comTwitter: @Therapists_CInstagram: @TherapistsConnectFacebook: @TherConnectOrigins of #TherapistsConnect

Jan 6, 2025 • 37min
Caz Binstead, Author Special: Services to Private Practice
Here we interview author Caz Binstead on her years of work as a specialist in private practice. We talk about her writings, courses, and her work with both students and those new to the sector; the BACP Private practice toolkit; her community work and the release of the forthcoming book, Relational Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counselling Private Practice: Solidarity, Compassion, Justice (Binstead, C; Sarantakis, N). Caz Binstead is an experienced private practitioner, supervisor, writer, facilitator/visiting lecturer. Specialising in the growth and maintenance of ethical and thriving practice, she was instrumental in creating the Private practice toolkit at the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). She acted as divisional lead on the project. In addition to having many papers published in this area, she is also the first author of the book, Relational Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counselling Private Practice: Solidarity, Compassion, Justice (Binstead, C; Sarantakis, N): https://amzn.eu/d/jeh2nWqCaz is co-lead of the popular community platform #TherapistsConnect (and founder of their student community #TraineeTalk), and was the creative director and a keynote speaker at the two-day conference, Private Practice 2021: Surviving and Thriving in Uncertain Times. She has hosted and run workshops at two BACP student conferences, and through her extensive work in this area, has helped hundreds of therapists with their private practice. Send us a text#TherapistsConnect is a platform for connecting therapists. Website: www.Therapists-Connect.comTwitter: @Therapists_CInstagram: @TherapistsConnectFacebook: @TherConnectOrigins of #TherapistsConnect

Oct 31, 2024 • 36min
Self-care for Therapists
The podcast episode titled "Self-Care for Therapists" discusses the importance of self-care for mental health professionals. Dr Peter Blundell interviews therapists about their strategies for self-care exploring how to avoid burnout, manage stress, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. The conversation emphasizes the need for therapists to prioritize their well-being, create boundaries, and engage in reflective practices. The episode offers practical tips and real-life examples to help therapists stay resilient and effective in their roles. Chloe Foster runs Sussex Rainbow Counselling, a service that specialises in providing support and therapy to the LGBTQ+ community. For more detailed information or to contact Chloe, visit the Sussex Rainbow Counselling website or their Email Counselling Academy.Sam Hope is an experienced trainer who has been working in EDI/Anti-oppressive practice for over a decade. Sam’s book Person Centred Counselling for Trans and Gender Diverse People is available from Jessica Kingsley Publishers.Tom Smithson set up New Horizon counselling in 2018. He's a BACP registered therapist supervisor, and tutor with many years of extensive therapeutic experience.Dr Mish Seabrook offers therapy, supervision, training, and consultancy and now adds coaching to her skills in serving others. She is BACP registered & accredited.Ellis J Johnson is a qualified Psychodynamic Psychotherapeutic Counsellor and a queer, trans man of colour. He delivers training to counsellors in working affirmatively around gender and also delivers training in trans awareness and anti-racist practice.Maxine Walsh has been a counsellor and psychotherapist for 11 years with four years of experience in private practice. She has been accredited by the Irish Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists since 2019.Dianne Sotomey is the bestselling author of her new book “Check Your Thoughts! Your Life Depends on It”! - How your thoughts shape your everyday life and who you become. She is also a UKCP-registered psychotherapist, clinical supervisor and trainer.Dr Peter Blundell (he/him/his) is an academic, researcher, lecturer, trainer, and consultant. He is a counsellor/psychotherapist, a social worker, and a senior lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University.Article: Aujla, M., & Narasimhan, M. (2023). The cycling of self-care through history. The Lancet, 402(10417), 2066-2067.Send us a text#TherapistsConnect is a platform for connecting therapists. Website: www.Therapists-Connect.comTwitter: @Therapists_CInstagram: @TherapistsConnectFacebook: @TherConnectOrigins of #TherapistsConnect

Sep 4, 2024 • 33min
Principles and Values
In this episode titled "Principles and Values," Dr Peter Blundell and Caz Binstead, co-leads of #TherapistsConnect, discuss the facilitation of their online therapist community. They delve into the importance of creating safer spaces for therapists online, emphasizing anti-oppressive practices essential for fostering an inclusive and supportive environment. The conversation explores the core values that underpin these safer spaces, such as respect, confidentiality, and empathy. Additionally, they address the risks and challenges associated with developing a public community, particularly concerning the vulnerability of sharing personal aspects online. This episode provides valuable insights into building a robust, ethical, and safe online community for therapists.Unfortunately, we experienced minor coverage issues during this recording, leading to some lost material. This included Peter and Caz referencing their work towards two papers about #TherapistsConnect in general, and, our student community, #TraineeTalk. This was in the context of a discussion about the importance of documenting the hard work undertaken by our platform over the last few years. The book referred to in the podcast is The Handbook of Social Justice in Psychological Therapies: Power, Politics, Change (Winter & Charura, 2023).To find out more about the work of #TherapistsConnect search for us on the usual social media platforms, or have a look at our website - www.Therapists-Connect.comYou can find out more about Peter's work via his website.You can find out more about Caz’s work on their professional website.Send us a text#TherapistsConnect is a platform for connecting therapists. Website: www.Therapists-Connect.comTwitter: @Therapists_CInstagram: @TherapistsConnectFacebook: @TherConnectOrigins of #TherapistsConnect

Jul 31, 2024 • 34min
Chloe Foster
In this episode of the #TherapistsConnect podcast Dr Peter Blundell interviews Chloe Foster. Chloe Foster runs Sussex Rainbow Counselling, a service that specialises in providing support and therapy to the LGBTQ+ community. Her practice focuses on creating a safe, inclusive, and non-judgmental environment for individuals seeking help with issues such as gender identity, sexual orientation, relationship problems, and mental health challenges. Chloe Foster's approach is compassionate and tailored to the unique needs of each client. The email counselling service offered by Sussex Rainbow Counselling allows clients to receive support and guidance through written communication. This service is particularly useful for those who prefer the convenience and privacy of remote support. It enables clients to express their thoughts and feelings in writing and receive thoughtful, professional and reflexive responses from Chloe. For more information listen to the episode and access Chloe's book details below. For more detailed information or to contact Chloe Foster, visit the Sussex Rainbow Counselling website or their Email Counselling Academy. Chloe's Website - https://www.sussexrainbowcounselling.com/Email Counselling Academy (and e-book) - https://www.emailcounsellingacademy.com/product-page/ebookLinks for PeterSocial Media: @drpeterblundellWebsite: www.peterblundell.com Send us a text#TherapistsConnect is a platform for connecting therapists. Website: www.Therapists-Connect.comTwitter: @Therapists_CInstagram: @TherapistsConnectFacebook: @TherConnectOrigins of #TherapistsConnect

Jul 11, 2024 • 22min
Thomas Smithson
In this episode of the #TherapistsConnect podcast, Dr Peter Blundell interviews Tom Smithson. Tom set up New Horizon counselling in 2018. He's a BACP registered therapist supervisor, and tutor with many years of extensive therapeutic experience. He's provided over 5,000 hours of clinical counselling and psychotherapy to adult clients. And he specializes in working with people from the LGBTQIA-plus community. And he's also writing a book about his work, which he tells us about in this episode. Links for TomWeblinks: - https://linktr.ee/NewHorizonCounsellingInstagram - @newhcounsellingLinks for PeterSocial Media: @drpeterblundellWebsite: www.peterblundell.com Send us a text#TherapistsConnect is a platform for connecting therapists. Website: www.Therapists-Connect.comTwitter: @Therapists_CInstagram: @TherapistsConnectFacebook: @TherConnectOrigins of #TherapistsConnect

May 30, 2024 • 32min
Therapists' Experiences of Silence in Therapy
This episode focuses on therapists' experiences of silence in counselling and psychotherapy. You can find more details about the guests below, or listen to the episode of the #TherapistsConnect podcast where they are featured. Sam Hope is an experienced trainer who has been working in EDI/Anti-oppressive practice for over a decade. The majority of Sam’s clients are members of the queer/LGBTQA+ community. Sam’s book Person Centred Counselling for Trans and Gender Diverse People is available from Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Sam is trans, queer, ace and non-binary themself as well as autistic, ADHD, and mobility impaired. Sara Mathews is a Senior Accredited counsellor registered with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). She is a qualified Counselling Supervisor and Trainer. Sara headed up bereavement services in the voluntary sector for many years before setting up her Bereavement Counselling practice. Dianne Sotomey is the bestselling author of her new book “Check Your Thoughts! Your Life Depends on It”! - How your thoughts shape your everyday life and who you become. She is also a UKCP-registered psychotherapist, clinical supervisor and trainer. Dianne is a visiting tutor at the TA East Institute for Psychotherapy and Counselling and currently resides in the tranquil countryside of Suffolk, England. Maxine Walsh has been a counsellor and psychotherapist for 11 years with four years of experience in private practice. Dr Fraser Smith is a chartered psychologist registered with the HCPC and BPS with years of experience and training working within therapy. William Pullen is a qualified psychotherapist registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). William has a book and an app that explores the relationship between running and therapy.Maria Sorokopud is an experienced GP who specialises in Gastroenterology and is a Transactional Analysis Psychotherapist.Rachel Jane Cooke (she/they) is a queer, integrative psychotherapist, supervisor and educator from Ireland, in practice since 2009. Dr Peter Blundell (he/him/his) is an academic, researcher, lecturer, trainer, and consultant. He is a counsellor/psychotherapist, a social worker, and a senior lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University.Send us a text#TherapistsConnect is a platform for connecting therapists. Website: www.Therapists-Connect.comTwitter: @Therapists_CInstagram: @TherapistsConnectFacebook: @TherConnectOrigins of #TherapistsConnect

Apr 18, 2024 • 28min
Therapists Challenging Racism and Oppression: The unheard voices
In this event, Caz Binstead chairs a discussion with Neelam Zahid and Rachel Cooke about editing and contributing to the book 'Therapists Challenging Racism and Oppression: The unheard voices'.Send us a text#TherapistsConnect is a platform for connecting therapists. Website: www.Therapists-Connect.comTwitter: @Therapists_CInstagram: @TherapistsConnectFacebook: @TherConnectOrigins of #TherapistsConnect