CONNECTING HEARTS MINDS AND SOULS SINCE 1983 |CHRISTINE IN CONVERSATION WITH Graduate PAULINE POWLESLAND

Pauline with Sidney

Christine  You are a Registered Psychotherapist. What was your Northern Guild training like?

Pauline  Excellent!   I started training at Northern Guild in 1998, the year the Newcastle Centre was opened.  I was a student on the MSc in Integrative Psychotherapy.  I was already a qualified integrative counsellor and BACP accredited, with my own private practice and working as a staff counsellor for the Occupational Health Department at my local hospital. 

I valued the warmth and friendliness of my group. The tutors were lovely, they gave me support and help when I needed it. I had to cram all the learning and tutorials into each weekend because of the long distance that I travelled from West London. 

You and Jennie were amongst my trainers.  You both had an interactive approach that was stimulating and energising.   I was lucky to have Jennie as my supervisor and personal tutor.  I learned a lot.  Of course, things weren’t always easy.  Case presentations and writing case studies was new to me.   I found that challenging.

I graduated in 2003 with both a Diploma and an MSc in Integrative Psychotherapy.

I gained a Distinction in both.  I am incredibly proud of what I achieved.  My Northern Guild graduation ceremony was at Judges Hotel in Yarm in 2003. Dr Neil Frude from The University of Wales presented the awards. it was amazing!  I felt so proud of all I had achieved.  And my dissertation sits in the University of Wales’ library.  That feels very significant.

My training at Northern Guild was incredibly fulfilling.  It will stay with me forever.

Christine   You are the longest-serving HIPC Administrator.  What was it that appealed to you about the role?

Pauline   Jennie was Chair of the Humanistic & Integrative Psychotherapy Section. The Honorary Secretary was resigning.  As I lived in London Jennie asked me to help with the administration. This meant attending the HIPS meetings and taking the minutes.  I couldn’t become the new Hon Sec because I wasn’t a delegate, so a new paid role was created in 1999 - HIPS Administrator.  

I agreed to work for a few hours a week which fitted with my private practice.  

I remember my first task was to set up a contact list of names, addresses and phone numbers - there were no e -mails back in the day!

I really enjoyed the meetings.  Everyone was very warm and I felt appreciated.  Liaising with delegates from organisations across the country was really interesting.  The meetings broadened my understanding of the Humanistic and Integrative field, it’s so diverse, broad and rich.

Christine    Were there any moments when the Psychotherapist in you wanted to speak out in a meeting?

Pauline   Oh! Yes.   But I was careful to stick to my role and its boundaries.  I gradually developed an instinct of not being enticed into speaking.

Christine   What did you most dislike about your role ?

Pauline   Taking minutes and typing them up afterwards. And delegates who wanted reports sending out late at night before the next day’s meeting.

Christine   What changes have you seen in your time as administrator?

Pauline   The number of Organisational Members has massively expanded. Delegates have more than trebled from around 20 to over 70. 

UKCP itself also underwent significant structural changes in 2010. All the Sections became Colleges in their own right with more autonomy to decide how they wanted to run things for their members. HIPS became the Humanistic & Integrative Psychotherapy College (HIPC). 

HIPC has always been the largest college in UKCP with over 4,000 members. It has approximately a third of the total UKCP membership.  

 In 2016 it was decided that the college would be run by a Steering Committee so that the load could be shared. Instead of working for three people I had to respond to a whole committee.  I also had to attend monthly meetings. It was very time consuming.  My job title changed from HIPC Administrator to HIPC Co-ordinator.  I became a non-voting member of the Steering Committee.  

Christine   What advice would you offer to a new Administrator? 

Pauline   Be alert! Remember you are dealing with different personalities and a range of Ego States. Keep neutral and don’t give an opinion, no matter how tempting

Christine   Why did you step down?

Pauline   In January 2022, UKCP Central made some more sweeping changes which then prevented HIPC from having their own paid administrator.  They offered me a temporary contract to work generically across all the colleges, but there was no job title and the job description was vague and uncertain. It was very upsetting.  My love, care and commitment were to HIPC.  After nearly 21 years I knew it was time to say goodbye.  

Christine   What are your special memories and moments?

Pauline   The HIPC Conference: “Transforming Lives in Changing Times:  Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapies in Practice” which was held on Saturday, 14 September 2019

at Roehampton University, London.  It brought together College members, students and psychotherapists from all modalities. The presentations were experiential and showcased

a range of creative approaches and inspiring workshops by leading practitioners.

I appreciated being supported by delegates which enabled me to cope with constant changes in times of transformation.

My good relationship with some delegates who I have known for more than 20 years.  I could contact them if I needed help in dealing with a challenging situation within HIPC.  I valued their friendship and advice.

 A Few of the Sixty Tributes Paid to Pauline by HIPC When She Stepped Down

Dear Pauline,
This small gift cannot do justice to all the work you have done over the years, and it is not possible to find words that adequately express how important that work has been to so many people. Perhaps even more significant is the way you have done your work; thank you, for your commitment, your diligence and your grace.

With much love and warmest wishes for the future,

the Steering Committee …

I am shocked and saddened at the position you have been put in.  And so very sad you will not be part of HIPC and the College’s smooth running any longer.   I do not know what we will do without you.    Thank you Pauline for everything you have done and also for friendship.  Do stay in touch.  I find myself reeling in shock, anger and despair at your news.”  Love, D.

I am so sorry you are going through such a horrible experience and have been made such a mean and inadequate job offer …   I shall absolutely miss you.   It is your welcoming face and warmth that I look forward to at meetings and that helped me to feel part of the group. 

I think you are superb at your work, how you navigate your way through our zig zagging discussions I can’t imagine.  But you do and our sometimes maelstrom of words never ceases to appear in orderly and comprehensible minutes.   Whatever occurs, you hold your form.”  Love, C.

You have given such long and dedicated service to HIPC and to UKCP. 

I have many fond and potent memories from when we worked together for many years way back when I was Chair of HIPC and the original HIPC Child Committee.  You were responsible for bringing HIPC into administrative good order and for taking minutes of meetings that at times have been complex, super stressful and upsetting.  You made yourself available to all HIPC members to give advice, information and support as and when required. 

You were incredibly kind and supportive and professional throughout.  At all times you conducted yourself with personal integrity.   Thank you both on a personal level and on behalf of Northern Guild for your dedicated service to the profession.”   With fondest love, J.

 About Pauline

I live with my husband Eddie and my 4 year old cocker spaniel, Sidney in a semi rural part of Surrey, surrounded by woodland walks.  Sidney and I share the same birthday, but just a few years apart!!   I love looking after Sidney, socialising with family and friends, walking, knitting, reading, gardening, playing classical guitar and piano and singing in a local Choral Society. 

I have a small private practice in Psychotherapy & Supervision. I really enjoy seeing people grow and develop and gain in confidence.