S1 E2: Navigating New Beginnings

How do attachment, poverty, ableism, and surveillance shape parenting? Mary interviews Leila Harding, a newly qualified clinical psychologist, shares research on parents with learning disabilities and why families are often judged by diagnosis instead of context. They explore the theory, research design, and implications, showing how qualitative methods reveal lived experience, while attachment theory and the dynamic maturation model expose what checklist assessments miss in family life.

In this episode, Mary Martiin explores Carl Rogers' person-centered approach and why it remains such a powerful foundation in counselling psychology. From the six core conditions to self-concept, incongruence, and the actualizing tendency, she breaks down how people move toward growth when they feel genuinely understood.Mary also shares the strengths and criticisms of the model, including questions around culture, oppression, and whether some clients need more than a supportive space. This is a thoughtful, practical introduction to person-centered therapy for students, trainees, and anyone interested in how healing happens in the therapy room.

Finishing first year of doctoral training comes with more than just deadlines. In this episode, Mary reflect on self-advocacy, perfectionism, systems, and the emotional reality of training. If you’re on a doctorate or thinking about one, this honest conversation is for you.

In this episode, Mary addresses common myths surrounding counselling psychology, emphasizing the rigorous training, research involvement, and the wide range of mental health conditions that counselling psychologists can workwith. She debunks misconceptions about job opportunities, the nature of the work, and the motivations behind choosing this career path, highlighting the importance of understanding the true essence of counselling psychology.

In this episode, Mary reflects on her experiences at the Counselling Psychology Annual Conference, discussing the themes, sessions, and key takeaways that shaped her understanding of the field. She emphasizes the importance of networking, innovative approaches to mental health, and the role of advocacy and social justice in counselling psychology. Mary also shares her personal growth and future directions inspired by the conference.