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Editor’s note

As reported in our News Feature thisÌýmonth, around the time you read this,ÌýNICE will be publishing its revisedÌýguideline on treatments for depressionÌýin adults. There is a possibility that theÌýrevised guideline will not recommendÌýcounselling. NICE was reluctant toÌýinclude it in its 2009 guideline, andÌýsurrounded it with caveats when itÌýfinally gave way to concerted Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¾«×¼×ÊÁÏÌýpressure. We may need a similarÌýcampaign this summer, and yourÌýsupport will be vital, if it comes to this.

The research evidence on which NICE guidelines are based mustÌýconform to strict criteria. But there is, of course, a problem with evidence,Ìýas Naomi Moller in the News Feature and Sarah Gingell’s article in thisÌýissue both explore. Statistical data can be interpreted in many ways, andÌýare by no means untouched by bias. That doesn’t mean we should ignoreÌýdata; it simply means they cannot be accepted at face value. Be critical,Ìýbut don’t let your scepticism, or indeed your allegiance to your ownÌýparticular sacred cow, stop you asking ‘How?’ and ‘Why?’

This is the last issue before we take our summer break. There is noÌýAugust issue. We’ve come a long way since our relaunch in February.ÌýWe’ve heard your feedback about readability, and I hope we haveÌýimproved on that score. We’ve also heard your cries of protest about theÌýloss of book reviews – they’re back! Therapy Today is a living project –Ìýwe have many more ideas for the future. Enjoy your summers, all.

Catherine Jackson
Editor

When we asked AndrewÌýReeves, our Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¾«×¼×ÊÁÏ Chair,Ìýwhat he would like toÌýsee in Therapy TodayÌýhe answered, ‘Just oneÌýthing – a regular slotÌýon self-care.’

It has since become a regular feature inÌýthe magazine, with a page every issueÌýdevoted to members sharing what theyÌýdo to rebalance the emotional toll thatÌýtheir work takes on them. In this issue, forÌýexample, Kim Patel shares her passion for dog agility competitions and howÌýthe physicality and focus required helpsÌýher leave her counselling cares behind.ÌýIt’s a theme that chimes with me, as IÌýfind a twice-daily dog walkÌýalongside the majestic RiverÌýThames sets me up andÌýgently sets me downÌýagain each day.

My first-ever supervisorÌýadvised me that I wouldn’tÌýbe much use to my clientsÌýif I didn’t look after myself.ÌýMy favourite quick tip fromÌýher armoury was to visualise a refreshingÌýshower cascading over you as you showÌýclients out through the therapy room door. Traditionally, many therapists took theÌýwhole of August off. If you can’t, or don’t,Ìýdo that, then remember to take someÌýquality time out for yourself this summer.

Rachel Shattock Dawson
Consultant Editor

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