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PCPA MINI-CONFERENCE: 10/11 September 2010

Keeping up with the Future: PCP in an Accelerating World

University of Syracuse, Faraday House, 48 -51 Old Gloucester Street, LONDON WC1

This two day conference is an outcome of the highly successful EPCA conference that took place earlier this year in Belgrade. Many of the UK contributors have agreed to present papers and run workshops they prepared for the Belgrade conference, so that PCPA members and others in the PCP community who were unable to attend can benefit from the energy and ideas that were generated at that time. The theme of the Belgrade Conference was: Keeping up with the Future: PCP in an Accelerating World. CLICK HERE for more details and a booking form.

Relational Psychology in Practice

led by Harry Procter and Mary Frances

Thursday 28th October 2010 10.00-16.00

Personal Construct Psychology is an invaluable tool in working with interpersonal scenarios which provides both theoretical models for understanding situations and practical methods for mapping and intervening in them.
With its emphasis on sociality and shared meaning-making, PCP is essentially a relational approach. Constructs are seen as being created through interaction and conversation, rather than somehow existing ‘within’ the person. As meanings are created in dialogue and conversation, the reflexive practitioner meets ongoing opportunities for creativity and invention. More.....

AUTUMN FOUNDATION COURSE DATES

16/17 September, 21/22 October & 18/19 November

Please CLICK HERE for further details of all courses.

Personal Construct Psychology –
new evening course at City University

We are pleased to announce the start of a new evening course at City University in central London.

This 8 week course starting on October 14th will cover

• the philosophy and approach of constructivist psychology
• personal constructs in everyday life
• the process of personal and shared meaning making
• the psychology of change and transition
• cycles of experience and creativity
• understanding and working with conflicts and difference

Full details can be found on the City website at
www.city.ac.uk/cae/cfa/psychology/personal-construct-psychology.html

PCP for Management & Business Researchers

In December, the Business School at Strathclyde University hosted a one-day seminar called ‘Sharing the Struggle: construing the research journey’. This workshop-style event was sponsored by the British Academy of Management Research Special Interest Group. It offered an introduction to PCP theory and methodology, with particular focus on the reflexive potential of PCP for researcher self-development. The day was facilitated by Barbara Simpson of Strathclyde University, Angela McGrane of Northumbria University, and Mary Frances. More.....

An invitation from Kieran Duignan

LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com) is an online group whose membership is free. It is here to stay and offers opportunities to exchange information about professional and vocational interests worldwide in four languages (English, French, Spanish, German). Those who join are free to join a variety of groups, or start one if they are so inclined.
A group called ‘Personal Construct Psychology Practitioners Group’ has been formed, on the English language part of the LinkedIn forum. CLICK HERE for more details.

Harry Procter has contributed a chapter to a new book on Reflective Practice

In his chapter on Personal and Relational Construct Psychology, Harry Procter argues that Kelly’s emphasis on Reflexivity makes the approach ideally suited to modern requirements for Reflective Practice. He introduces some new methods including the Therapist Characterisation Sketch and the Reflective Practice Grid.

Further details

European Constructivist Teachers’ meeting 2009

PCPA were delighted to host the second teachers’ meeting of the European Constructivist Training Network in Coventry in October.
The meeting was organised by Peter Cummins and Mary Frances with superb support from Sally Robbins and Diane Allen, and was attended by 14 teachers from PCPA in London and the Midlands, and from our partner schools in Padua, Italy, and Belgrade, Serbia. More.....

PCP in Educational Psychology

PCPA members in the Educational Psychology Service in Cardiff have produced a paper describing their experience of applying PCP to a wide range of their work, from direct intervention with children to supervision. Their interesting and thoughtful reflections can be found in the ‘bookshelf’ section of the members’ pages or by clicking HERE.

Cardiff Educational Psychology Service

Over the last year, PCPA worked with the Cardiff Educational Psychology Service to develop a customised Foundation Course for the team. Fifteen staff attended 6 study days combined with independent reading and PCP-based supervision and co-consulting. Most staff had previous experience of PCP and so we were able to work in some depth and detail. The application of PCP to contemporary EP practice was a fascinating journey for all of us, and the team felt the value of training together in a shared theoretical approach.
Eleven of the participants went on to produce case studies and reflective essays and have been awarded the Practitioner’s Certificate in PCP. Many congratulations to them, and to the service for this innovative approach to staff development.
A group of the staff who attended the course are pictured here. The team are collating some thoughts on the use of PCP in their practice which will be posted on the website over the summer – watch this space!

PCP colleagues honoured by UKCP

At the recent AGM of the UKCP, two of our members were honoured with Fellowships.
Alan Thomson’s award was in recognition of his many years of service to the organisation, as Vice Chair and Acting Chair through very difficult times. Many friends and colleagues were delighted to be able to congratulate Alan and were reminded how much they have appreciated his work over the years. You can read an interview with Alan HERE.

Joady Brennan was also awarded a Fellowship, after many years of work on a variety of committees and chairing the Equality and Diversity Committee keeping the spotlight on inclusive practice. She accepted the honour as a recognition that the Equalities Agenda is so important and is one to which many people have committed enormous amounts of time and energy and creativity and hope. You can read an interview with Joady HERE.

PCPA Members can find more information about the awards on the Members’ pages.
Warmest congratulations to both and thanks from all your PCPA colleagues for your untiring efforts on our behalf.

Let's talk!

Adele Pile reviews Simon Burnham's new book on using PCP with children and young people, describing it as a highly accessible introduction with an innovative and valuable CD resource. Read more....

PCP journal online

The journal Personal Construct Theory and Practice is accessible online at www.pcp-net.org/journal/.
The current volume requires a password, available free from the editor via the home page. All papers from previous volumes are now available without password.

Further details

Midlands PCP Study Days

Quarterly Study Days are open to people who have completed the Foundation Course in Personal Construct Psychology
Dates for 2010: March 12th; June 11th; September 17th; December 10th
The days run from 10.00 to 16.00, and cost £15 per person per day, including tea and coffee (£10 for Assistants and Trainees).
The days are held at 44, Park Road, Coventry. This is just 300 yds from Coventry station, or there is car parking next to the station (currently £8 for the whole day but £4 after 10, so we will understand if you arrive at 10.05!)
Details and directions from Sally Robbins on 02476 246226, fax 02476 246300, email sally.robbins@coventrypct.nhs.uk

Northern  PCP Research Group Meetings

The Northern PCP Research Group has been meeting now for nearly 20 years in York as a forum for discussion, supervision and personal development for people who use PCP in their research, work or lives.  You do not need any expertise.
Read more...