As a male counsellor I am in the minority. Over 80% of the memberships of the British Association of Counsellors of Psychotherapists (BACP) are women.

This fact is reinforced every time I arrive at a workshop or training course: I am usually the only male therapist. During my counselling training there were only four men out of a class of over twenty. This ratio has reduced as I have gone on to complete my masters and then onto the doctorate. I really enjoy being in the minority in this case; I have made many wonderful female friends who are counsellors.

Why is it that there are so few male counsellors? Is it that the general perception is that you need ‘feminine’ traits such as openness, empathy or being in touch with your emotions, or does it reflect the client gender profile? I believe it is changing slowly as we have more counsellors in schools, and I also believe that male counsellors can offer a lot. Many clients choose to see a male counsellor. Some men only want to share with another man; some women prefer to see a man (maybe to get a man’s perspective?) and some clients don’t consciously ‘see’ their therapist’s gender.

I am pleased to say that we can offer the people of Stockport, Cheshire and Greater Manchester choice. They can see a male counsellor that would be me, a female counsellor ~ my colleague Audrey and we also have a couples counsellor starting in the New Year.

I am pleased to announce the opening of a new clinic this Saturday 3rd October 2009 where I will be counselling young people on the Autistic Spectrum at the Peace Centre in Warrington.

The sessions, which need to be arranged with my beforehand start at 10 am and will be held fortnightly for the foreseeable future.

I have decided to hold the sessions at the Peace centre for a number of reasons. Firstly it is an excellent location with free parking, originally set up by Tim Parry to help young people and those affected by conflict. It is also a central location to offer counselling from, where young people from all over Cheshire, Merseyside, North Wales and Greater Manchester can easily access the service.

A Saturday morning clinic also removes the need to visit me after school, when you can be feeling tired and not in the right frame of mind or ‘state’ for counselling.

If you would like more information on the counselling service of young people with autism and Aspergers, please contact me.

The details of the Peace Centre are:
The Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace
Peace Centre
Peace Drive
Great Sankey
Warrington
Cheshire
WA5 1HQ

Tel: 01925 581 231
Fax: 01925 581 233

E-mail: info@foundation4peace.org
Website: www.foundation4peace.org

I am due to deliver a workshop on Autism and coping at the National Autism conference at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport on the 11th November. For more information on the workshop or for details on other talks and discussions on coping, counselling and autism please contact me.