We are emerging from a winter of discontent, bleary-eyed, with a dose of apprehensive anticipation, to go (for some) with a dose (or two) of vaccine. Our experience this spring feels more closely aligned than usual to the natural world鈥檚 familiar cycle of hibernation and re-awakening than some of us would have chosen or have felt comfortable with. I say 鈥榮ome鈥� because, for others, and for many children and young people, lockdown has provided a welcome break from the school, work and social pressures of the world as it was pre pandemic.
In this issue, Dr Marilyn McGowan uses non-fiction narrative to explore lessons learned during COVID-19 in Cometh the hour. Scott Eastwood examines the research evidence relating to test anxiety and asks what school-based counsellors can do to support young people in Testing times; while Professor Mick Cooper shares findings from ETHOS, the largest study to date to pose questions about What鈥檚 going on in school counselling?.
Counsellors and psychotherapists have an endless curiosity about other people, and a desire, perhaps more so now than ever, to feel a sense of connection. With that in mind, I鈥檓 delighted to include even more new readers鈥� voices in this issue. Following publication of a letter, written in response to a previous article, Parenting a disabled child (December 2020), Emma Foley accepted my invitation to write about her own experiences of Working holistically with learning disabilities. Declan Harrigan shares his honest and moving experience of losing a client to suicide in You can鈥檛 stop the waves鈥�.
In the first of a new series, 滨苍迟谤辞诲耻肠颈苍驳鈥�Yvonne Fernandez traces her 50-year (and counting) career back to the most unlikely of sources 鈥� Norman Wisdom! Our featured article is by David Curl, a reader I 鈥榤et鈥� while editing reviews, and invited to contribute to our journal. He tempts us to recall our adolescence as we watch Coming-of-age films, something he and his colleagues did during a virtual film club, set up during lockdown to maintain morale and a sense of shared purpose among staff at a pupil referral unit.
Speaking of coming of age, the first babies of the new millennium are turning 21 this year, which hardly seems possible, does it? On a personal note, I鈥檒l be celebrating my 50th birthday this summer. I鈥檓 usually at the 鈥榥ot very much鈥� end of the self-disclosure spectrum, but this significant milestone has got me thinking. When I first started working with young people, 25 years ago, I wasn鈥檛 much older than them. Then came the stage of being the same age as their parents, and now, for some, their grandparents! It鈥檚 a sobering thought.
People have frequently said to me that I look younger than my age, which is usually offered as a compliment, but I鈥檝e often heard it as, 鈥榊ou don鈥檛 look old enough to be鈥� [insert whatever it is I鈥檓 doing at the time]鈥�, and consequently, I鈥檝e sometimes felt affronted rather than flattered. To quote the recent Twitter hashtag, 鈥楾his is what a therapist looks like鈥�, and I鈥檝e updated my editorial photo to illustrate what this therapist looks like, today. As counsellors, psychotherapists, supervisors, trainers and presenters, assumptions will inevitably be made about us, based on how we look. I鈥檓 curious to hear your experiences of expectations based on your (perceived) age, gender, size, ethnicity, disability, style of dress or other aspect of your outward appearance. Get in touch; let鈥檚 have our own 鈥楾his is what a therapist looks like鈥� feature. And perhaps include a photo.
Jeanine Connor, Editor
cypf.editorial@bacp.co.uk
