‘Brave and meaningful research’ – Warwick Counselling students raise their voices

Esra Gul: “Presenting my dissertation at this year’s conference was both a nerve-wracking and deeply rewarding experience. Although I initially felt quite nervous, the presence and encouragement of my tutors offered a reassuring sense of support. Sharing a project I had poured so much of myself into—both intellectually and emotionally—was a proud moment. It reminded me why I care so deeply about multilingual counselling and the personal stories that shape our work.”

Amalia Knight: “Presenting at the research conference was both nerve-wracking and incredibly rewarding. Last year’s conference had a big impact on how I perceived research — hearing others speak so honestly about their journeys made me believe it was achievable for someone like me, not just for “academic types.” That experience stayed with me, and this year, I wanted to offer that same encouragement to others who might feel research isn’t for them. It felt important to bring my own work , exploring therapists’ perspectives on working with kink clients , to help create awareness around a subject that’s often taboo and misunderstood. I wanted to open up a space for reflection, challenge assumptions, and show that research can serve as advocacy as well as inquiry. The high attendance and the curiosity with which all of our work was received was genuinely moving. There was a tangible sense of openness in the room, and the thoughtful questions and warm responses reminded me that these conversations matter. Presenting pushed me to distil my findings and speak with clarity and confidence. It was a moment of growth, and I left feeling proud not just of my work, but of being part of a community that welcomes brave and meaningful research.”

Wendy Miller: “Attending the conference was an inspiring and affirming experience. It was a rare opportunity to be surrounded by fellow trainees, therapists, and academics all deeply engaged in shaping the future of counselling and psychotherapy. Hearing others present their research was both grounding and energising – covering everything from trauma and identity to cultural humility and mental health. There was a strong sense of shared purpose and curiosity in the room.

I presented my forthcoming research project on the experiences of LGBTQ+ counselling trainees, which will explore how identity, support, and inclusion are navigated within training environments. I invited participants to take part in confidential interviews and was really moved by the response – people shared personal experiences, expressed interest in taking part, and offered to pass the project on to their networks.

The warmth, encouragement, and thoughtful feedback I received made the experience incredibly worthwhile. I left feeling not only supported in my forthcoming project but also more hopeful about the collective drive toward more inclusive, affirming training spaces. It reminded me how powerful research can be when it’s grounded in lived experience and shared with heart.”

Hugh Palmer: “It was a privilege as well as a pleasure to present my research project to other members of the student body. It was a definitely “plus” to feel that something had been created that could be of direct benefit to the next years’ students, as well as the exercise of doing research for its own sake. Fun to share with a real audience, in a pleasant, professional setting, beautifully organised!”

Polly Sheehan:“I would like to see more support for counsellors, in developing training programs to help counsellors advance their skillset. Evaluate the effectiveness of current therapeutic approaches. What cultural factors influence our work. Getting future counsellors to think about what lies ahead for not only ourselves but the world of counselling, if we stop researching then our line of work will cease to exist and if it did the practices would remain stagnant. Ultimately my goal for my research project was to contribute to couples who navigate the complexities of neurodiversity.”