Category: Clare Slaney

We Don’t Have A Name For It – Clare Slaney

Clare Slaney

Modern counselling emphasises the importance of empathy and many therapists believe that this is possible with all clients. Since the psychological professions have once more become a wealthy middle class monoculture how can this possibly be the case? We have lost the theories and language of grassroots action that informed theorists like Rogers who understood the importance of authentic egalitarianism. Whether we like it or not, we have become – and the state is treating us as – experts in the lives of our clients.

How do we talk together about the hard realities of our professions? If we can’t talk together as equals, with curiosity and courage, daring to be vulnerable and truthful with each other, to listen with care and restraining the desire to alter each other, then perhaps we really are in more trouble than we care to admit.

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Domestic Violence in Pregnancy and Post Partum: A Review of the Evidence and How Professionals Can Support Vulnerable Women – Clare Slaney

Clare Slaney

Pregnancy is a risk factor for domestic violence. Many men are profoundly threatened by their partners’ pregnancy and change of role from their partner to another person’s mother. One third of domestic violence starts or gets worse when a woman is pregnant and one in five midwives sees at least one woman a week who she suspects is a victim of domestic violence.

One in 4 women will be affected by domestic violence and the complexities of this life threateneing situation, not least our own responses to domestic violence, mean that non-specialist counselling support for this client group can be compromised. Clare has given this talk to midwives both online and face to face where discussion has focused around the midwives’ lack of support and time, but the subject is also of interest to counsellors who, throughout out careers, will inevitably meet with clients who are experiencing domestic violence.

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