2009 National Research Success

For the fourth consecutive year our students won approval to present their Research Projects at the National Research Conference held annually by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

From left to right: Lyla Smith-Abass, Cemaliye Deran, Soraya Bedja-Johnson, Charlotte Poole, Thomas Joseph, Serena Mullings, Michelle Denny-Browne

Research Paper:
‘Is the diagnosis of s-chizophrenia as valid in the African-Caribbean male population as it is in the general White population in the UK, and if not, why not?’

From left to right: Suzi Mackenzie, Lisa Bent, Jacqui Neil, Tony Donohue, Pepe Jansz, Paul Badham

Ian Holt was also an author of this paper (but he is not seen in this photograph)

Research Paper:
‘Is the Person-Centred Approach overlooked in the treatment of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BBD) and Self-Harm (SH), if so, why?’

LC&CTA sponsored nine of the successful students, seen above, to exhibit at the BACP Research Conference, which was held in Portsmouth this year during May. Their accompanying tutors; Tony Taylor (Tutor & Facilitator), Juanita Harriot (Co Director) and Chris Brown (Co Director) supported the students as they delivered unique and innovative presentations to the entire conference assembly, to great acclaim.

MIND, the leading Mental Health Charity in England and Wales, expressed interest in our students’ paper on the validity of the diagnosis of schizophrenia in Black males living in the UK. And a copy of this research paper was dispatched to MIND via the BACP’s Press Office.

The leading contemporary UK expert in the treatment of BBD requested that our students forward a copy of their findings on completion of their project. These findings will no doubt add to the UK knowledge base held on these self-destructive disorders, which in turn, it is hoped, will better facilitate the recovery of sufferers.

It is unusual for students to achieve such research excellence in training; but LC&CTA’s students have an established reputation for producing effective and valid research which adds to the knowledge base the psychotherapeutic profession holds in general. This research work also sets our students up to take their place in the profession as practitioners who can validate their work with empirical evidence; a skill which is increasingly demanded of counsellors today.

Ending on a High Note:
After working so hard to win their places to present at Conference, both students and tutors were glad to kick back and enjoy the Conference Dinner and Dance.