How We Care

Hosted by Elizabeth Turp and Paul Gaunt

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Apr 2026

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About the show

‘How We Care’ is a series of monthly collaborative conversations between helping professionals for people who care, counsel, guide, or coach for a living (or may want to in the future). We consider what this takes, the challenges, how best to look after our own wellbeing and ways to develop our effectiveness. With combined experience in their fields of nearly 60 years, Paul and Elizabeth are passionate about what they do and the interactions they have with their clients. With guest conversationalists from other disciplines, this is ‘How We Care’!

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38 recent

April 29, 202657 min

Reshare: How We Care Episode 15: Working and training as a helping professional when you have a chronic condition

Elizabeth and special guest person-centred counsellor Natalie Rodil discuss their experiences in the counselling profession while living with chronic illness. They describe their journeys to getting support, learning self-management and the ongong challenges of both organisational and private practice work. Their experiences as mid-career and early career therapist respectively highlight some useful points about needs, policy and rights and for those of you managing others some clear examples of the how to support employees with chronic conditions. See show notes for further resources. You can find Natalie Rodil on Twitter @NatalieRodil Episodes 3 & 5 of this podcast focus on self-care for practitioners, epsiode 11 is about dealing with work and illness, particularly new health challenges. Equality Act 2010 reasonable adjustments legislation: https://www.acas.org.uk/reasonable-adjustments For comprehensive resource on Pacing for chronic illness: https://www.elizabethturp.co.uk/phdi/p1.nsf/supppages/6083?opendocument&part=9

March 13, 202611 min

How We Care: Episode 34: A book for our ableist times: how ‘The Salt Path’ exposed how we really view illness and disability.

Elizabeth reads her recent article on what the Salt Path book scandal tells us about how society views chronic illness and disability. Aiming to raise awareness and understanding of living with chronic illness in her writing, this episode is for those of you living with a chronic condition and those who care about or are supporting people who are disabled by illness. Better understanding myths about healing and the fear-driven self-protective thinking that happens for those free of ongoing health challenges can help us avoid the divisions and misunderstandings that can occur. To read the article: https://elizabethturp.co.uk/archived-articles See also episode 2: https://how-we-care.simplecast.com/episodes/how-we-care-no2-the-problem-with-positive-thinking episode 14: https://how-we-care.simplecast.com/episodes/how-we-care-episode-14-why-we-all-need-to-know-the-truth-about-long-coviid

February 6, 20261 hr 4 min

How We Care: Episode 32: Bullies, Blaggers, and Bastards: Coping with Difficult Colleagues at Work

Paul and Elizabeth discuss how badly behaved, even abusive, collegues can impact our careers, mental health and motivation. They consider how workplace culture and the wider world can support these harms and what you can do to deal with it.Dr Katherine Hubbard's blog post, as quoted in this episode, is here https://katharinehubbard.blog/2026/01/20/toxic-people-failing-upwards-universities-must-do-better/ For benefits of joining a union: https://www.tuc.org.uk/why-join-union

December 5, 202557 min

How We Care: Episode 32: Midlife Challenge and Change

Elizabeth Turp and Paul Gaunt take on the vast subject of the challenges of midlife: loss, grief, illness, frustration, stress, caring responsibilities, retirement, etc and consider how this time of life often brings reflection on how we want the rest of our lives to be. At two different stages of midlife, your hosts discuss what they have dealt with, how they have managed work during challening times and how they help others going through this complex time to live more authentically. So if you are a helper who has midlife clients, or a person aged 45 and up who wants some help to improve your quality of life or make some big decisions, this episode is for you. Article: Midlife Challenge and Change by host Elizabeth Turp for more on how therapy can help with this life stage: https://elizabethturp.co.uk/articlesGet in touch to arrange an introductory call if you would like to discuss getting some help for you. Episode 10: Can AI replace us: https://how-we-care.simplecast.com/episodes/how-we-care-episode-10-can-ai-replace-us

September 18, 20251 hr 5 min

How We Care: Episode 31: The Importance of Space and Place

Show notes:Living and working in the place that Carl Jung called ‘the ‘pool of life’, their chosen rather than birth city, Elizabeth and Paul are fascinated by the importance of place both to their own lives and to their clients wellbeing, lives & choices. We consider how identity and memory relate to space and place both in the world and the therapy room. Paul talks about his research on this topic. Listen for another fascinating conversation. Podcast on digital nomad lifestyle Jordan Harbinger Show: https://www.jordanharbinger.com/digital-nomads-skeptical-sunday/ Our episode on surviving as a helping professional in a time of fear & division: https://how-we-care.simplecast.com/episodes/how-we-care-episode-26-surviving-as-a-helping-professional-in-a-time-of-fear-hate-and-global-crisis Our episode 'Do we love our clients' https://how-we-care.simplecast.com/episodes/how-we-care-episode-22-do-we-love-our-clientsThe Story of the Polish SoilWhen Chopin left Poland at the age of 20, his teacher reportedly gave him an urn containing Polish soil, which he kept until his death. While the idea of Chopin carrying the soil might be apocryphal, the story reflects his deep connection to his homeland and continued patriotism throughout his life, despite his exile.From Google AI Overview

July 8, 202557 min

How We Care: Episode 30: Is Helping a Creative Act?

Episode 30: Is helping a creative act?Elizabeth & Paul talk about creativity in therapy, counselling, teaching and social work. They look at how confidence, experience, authenticity, adaptability and individualisation lead to successful and creative collaborative work with clients.The following previous episodes are mentioned in the discussion.Ep The Courage of the Person-Centred Approachhttps://how-we-care.simplecast.com/episodes/how-we-care-episode-8-the-courage-of-the-person-centrered-approach Ep Helping clients gain clarity and shift perspective:https://how-we-care.simplecast.com/episodes/how-we-care-episode-13-helping-clients-gain-clarity-and-shift-perspectiveMentioned in the episodeThe Artists Way, Julia Cameron course to help you unlock creativity: https://juliacameronlive.com/Also mentioned in the episodeFlow State definition: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/flow

May 22, 20251 hr 8 min

How We Care: Episode 29: The Third Thing: Do we Need Praise and Recognition as Helping Professionals

Elizabeth and Paul discuss the Stoics' idea of not needing or seeking 'the third thing', with the first thing being giving someone beneficial help, the second thing being the benefits they gain from it, and the third thing being getting praise and recognition for it. The stoic belief is that the first two things should be enough. n.b. this is not an argument for us not giving praise and recognition to others when appropriate, but more to highlight that sometimes we can get attached in a less than healthy way to our good work being recognised.The original idea for this episode was inspired by the following article Daily Stoic inspiriation for episode https://dailystoic.com/you-do-not-need-this/and the writings of the Stoic Philosopher and Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius Several previous episodes are cross-referenced in the discussion including Episode 9- Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Episode 17-Keeping up with Social Change as a Helping Professional, and also multiple episodes on on practitioner wellbeing and self-care

March 6, 20251 hr 6 min

How We Care: Episode 28: When to Stop Saying Yes

Episode 28: When to Stop Saying Yes Elizabeth and Paul discuss how beliefs, social pressure, people pleasing and self image can affect our ability to make choices about the demands made of us at work and in relationship. They reflect on the changes they have experienced at different life stages and health challenges. They consider strategies you can try to shift from taking on too much to putting your own wellbeing into your decision making process, freeing up energy and time. Article referred to about the origens of people pleasing and narcissim: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/peaceful-parenting/202101/the-one-thing-narcissists-and-people-pleasers-may-have-in-common Previous relevant episodes: Ep 27: Burnout and Rustout https://how-we-care.simplecast.com/episodes/how-we-care-episode-27-burnout-and-rustout Ep 25: The impact of beliefs on clients and practitioners https://how-we-care.simplecast.com/episodes/how-we-care-episode-25-the-impact-of-beliefs-on-clients-and-practitioners Connect with us on LinkedIn for information on upcoming episodes and discussion.

December 19, 20241 hr 5 min

Reshare: Episode 18: Acts of Self-Care for Helping Professionals

Elizabeth and Paul take a lucky dip approach to the card resource '50 Acts of Professional Self-Care' developed by Siobhan McLean of Kirwin Mc Lean Associates and Self-Care Psychology and pull out some cards at random to prompt discussion.More information on this resource is available via Twitter @SelfCarePsy, via facebook @selfcarepsychology or at selfcarepsychology.comTwo exercises mentioned at the end and drawn from the above resource are:The Equal Breathing ExerciseEqualising breathing can calm the body and mind very effectively, and can be great to do at times of stress. It is taken from the Yoga tradition where it is known as Sama-Vritti, and also backed by scientific observation.To prepare you can lie down, sit up straight, or stand up straight, then;Breathe in through your nose for a count of 4PauseExhale for a count of 4Repeat for a few minutes, or as long as you feel comfortable.The Passive Progressive Relaxation ExerciseUsed to help people achieve deep relaxation. It can be done at work (e.g. at your desk). For best results it is best to lie flat, however. The best way to experience this is via a recording, and there are may versions of the exercise available free online (e.g. on YouTube) You will be guided through each area of your body, relaxing each as you progress through the exercise. If you’d like to find our more or obtain a transcript of this episode, contact Elizabeth via www.elizabethturp.co.uk or Paul paulgaunt2@gmail.com

October 25, 20241 hr 13 min

How We Care: Episode 27: Burnout and Rustout

The opening passage read by Paul is from a LinkedIn post written by Colin Newlyn (Decrapify Work) posted 17/10/24. Colins insights into workplace culture and employee well-being are well worth checking out. You can find more here https://decrapifywork.substack.com/Later on Paul quotes from a linked in post by Chance Marshall from 18/10/24 regarding the new UK Labour governments plans to 'encourage' people with serious mental illness intro work.Check out our many related episodes on self-care for helping professionals and Episode 25 on how our beliefs affect our work. https://how-we-care.simplecast.com/episodes/how-we-care-episode-25-the-impact-of-beliefs-on-clients-and-practitioners The Harpers Bazzar article on rustout mentioned in this episode is here: https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/beauty/mind-body/a43695947/rust-out/A couple more interesting articles on Rustout are here https://www.stylist.co.uk/life/careers/rust-out-signs-impact-mental-health/761502https://www.maddyness.com/uk/2024/01/15/rust-out-the-warning-signs-and-what-to-do-about-them/ Therapist Burnout Podcast: Mental Health, Business, and Career Tips for Therapists, Counselors, & Psychologists Why Is Therapist Burnout Different?Burnout is something almost every profession deals with, but for therapists, it hits differently. We’re not just exhausted from the long hours or the endless paperwork—it’s the emotional weight of holding space for others, the vicarious trauma we take on, and the unrelenting pressure to be “okay” so we can keep helping our clients https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/therapist-burnout-podcast-mental-health-business-and/id1698139097?i=1000672036990 Overthinking About Burnout Magical Overthinkers PodcastChronically stressed? Emotionally exhausted? Depleted to the point of physical suffering, dissociation, and paranoia that things will never improve? Burnout, which is not just fatigue or boredom but rather what happens when our bodies fail to complete the "stress response cycle." That's according to our guest, Amelia Nagoksi, co-author of the bestselling book Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle.https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/magical-overthinkers/id1745220403?i=1000660279335