I am delighted to be joined by a very special panel of guests to celebrate International Women’s Day, including Ejiro Ogbevoan, Black Therapists Ireland, Lisa Molloy CEO of the IACP, Gael Kilduff Head of Counselling and Psychotherapy with PCI College, and Jade Lawless Academic Director of PCI College. They are all women in leadership roles within the counselling and psychotherapy profession who have a range of experience and different perspectives to offer.
We have a wide-ranging discussion around the International Women’s Day theme of equity within the area of counselling and psychotherapy. This includes the significant changes within the profession in recent years as it moves from a volunteer to professional context. We examine how there are certain challenges which are particular to being a woman in this field, even though the majority of therapists in Ireland are women. We highlight the specific challenges which Black women and women of colour experience. We discuss the potential differences between working as a therapist and being a manager, and guests share some tips on how to navigate leadership roles. Connection and support are key themes throughout the conversation, along with the need to always remain open to our own biases. While discussing important topics, this is a very inspiring and energising conversation; I hope listeners are left with food for thought and are inspired to find those daily ways to make small changes wherever you are.