Counselling psychology and climate change: A survey of the DCoP membership

Abstract

Background:Climate change is a growing concern, a multi-dimensional, societal issue affecting our personal lives and the way we engage with clients. There is evidence that people are finding it a matter of anxiety and as such it is increasingly a focus in the therapeutic domain. In order to understand counselling psychology’s relationship to climate change, the Executive Committee of the British Psychological Society Division of Counselling Psychology (DCoP) initiated a working group on climate change in the latter part of 2019. This working group had several tasks including a statement about psychology and climate change, and the development of a reference library as a resource for those members who want to better understand the literature. The reference library is available atwww.bps.org.uk/sites/www.bps.org.uk/files/Member%20Networks/Divisions/DCoP/Climate%20Change%20-%20Useful%20Reading.pdf.Methodology/methods:This consultation asked a sample of British counselling psychologists about their experience of research, clinical work and other engagement with climate change. Themes were identified.Results/findings:The findings indicate some variation as to what counselling psychologists think and do in relation to climate change; most respondents accepted that counselling psychologists need to be aware of the issue and be able to respond helpfully to clients who bring this focus; some colleagues are already working with this material and many wanted training; some are researching this phenomenon and wanted assistance in funding and disseminating relevant work; and counselling psychologists thought that the Division/wider BPS might usefully make a mission statement, library of resources and offer training.