Dr Peter Blundell

Nursing and Allied Health

Peter was appointed as a lecturer in Counselling and Psychotherapy in the School of Nursing and Allied Health, in 2018. He currently serves as a senior lecturer in Person Centred/Experiential Psychotherapy, teaching on the MA programme in Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice.

Peter's research focuses on boundaries in professional practice, reflexivity as a practitioner and issues of power and anti-oppressive practice. His PhD thesis explored the concept of boundaries as understood and experienced by counsellors.

Peter is a qualified Person Centred/Experiential counsellor and psychotherapist. He is a member of both the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the National Counselling Society (NCS). He has a regular column with the NCS magazine, 'Counselling Matters', where he writes about various topics that impact on therapists and the therapy community.

Peter coordinates an international network of therapists (called #TherapistsConnect), which seeks to develop connection, conversation and collaboration between therapists in creative and innovative ways. These projects have included: a regular podcast interviewing therapists about their life and work; using social media as an educational platform for students and trainees of counselling and psychotherapy; and organising and chairing online discussions and debates around therapy related topics.

Peter is also qualified as a Social Worker, but now works independently. He has an interest in the experiences of individuals who are qualified in dual professions, including the ethical and boundary dilemmas that this can raise.

In 2019, Peter was awarded the CPCAB research award for his PhD research, this prestigious award is designed to disseminate research which is important for counselling or counselling training.

In 2020, Peter was awarded Counsellor of the Year during National Counsellors' Day, this award was in recognition of his work in establishing and developing an international community of therapists (i.e. the #TherapistsConnect community).

In 2020, Peter was awarded Researcher of the Year, from Counsellors Together UK, to acknowledge his use of social media to share and discuss research, particularly around boundaries and harm in therapy.

Peter acts as a PhD supervisor and external examiner for projects concerning counselling and psychotherapy, and social work, and is happy to be contacted regarding future projects in these areas.

Degrees

2017, Manchester Metropolitan University, United Kingdom, PhD - Boundaries in Counselling
2013, Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom, MA - Social Work
2009, Manchester Metropolitan University, United Kingdom, BA - Psychology with Sociology

Academic appointments

Critical Friend, Newman University, 2020 - present
Senior Lecturer, MA in Counselling and Psychotherapeutic Practice, School of Nursing and Allied Health, Liverpool John Moores University, 2018 - present

Journal article

Blundell P. 2021. #TherapistsConnect: Our voices are stronger together Tudor K. Psychotherapy and Politics International, DOI Author Url

Conference publication

Blundell P. 2018. A qualitative study of students’ experience of psychological change during an introductory counselling course. Qual-World Interactive Virtual Conference Public Url

Blundell P. Responding to Boundary Issues: A Qualitative Study BACP Annual Research Conference 2019 Author Url

Media Coverage:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p093sb67, Dr Blundell discusses mental health and wellbeing during the COVID19 pandemic, Ask The Expert: BBC Radio Merseyside, starts at 3.07pm. 2021

https://youtu.be/WQ-gtE-OXvg, SCoPEd Debate, Organiser and Co-Chair of a third debate around SCoPEd project. This debate has representatives from the various membership bodies involved with the project, as well as other organisations and therapists.. 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNk2zzM-uL4, SCoPEd Debate, Organiser and Co-Chair of a student debate around SCoPEd project.. 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wWXASFJGZI, Organiser and Co-Chair of a professional debate around the SCoPEd project, proposed by BACP, UKCP and BPC.. 2020

https://e130cc3a-6996-4ee8-b7f0-62e0bc8d5c72.filesusr.com/ugd/2a67f2_aed585566f954c5798ab4a18c5b6f4e3.pdf, Spotlight, Therapy Today (Article) - Professional Profile. 2020

https://video.silverstream.tv/download/mLtZdBEe, Spotlight, BACP (Podcast) - Professional Profile. 2020

External PGR examinations performed:

University of Sutherland, Professional Doctorate, The significance of mental wellbeing for care experienced young people: developing a sense of belonging and self-worth. 2020

Teaching qualification:

Post Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice. 2020

Conference presentation:

SCoPEd: Assumptions, Power and Privilege, Psychotherapists and Counsellors for Social Responsibility, Oral presentation. 2020

Responding to Boundary Issues: A Qualitative Study, BACP Annual Research Conference, Belfast, Oral presentation. 2019

A qualitative study of students’ experience of psychological change during an introductory counselling course., Qual-World Interactive Virtual Conference (2018), Virtual, Poster presentation. 2018

Fellowships:

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Higher Education Academy. 2020

Award:

Counsellor of the Year 2020, "The winner of this award was chosen from the shortlisted nominees. It was an easy choice to pick Peter due to the success he has had in building up the #TherapistsConnect community. It all began with a simple tweet that snowballed into the incredible movement that it is now", National Counsellors' Day (Counsellors Together UK)., https://www.nationalcounsellorsday.co.uk/counselling-awards-2020/. 2020

Researcher of the Year 2020, judges stated "Dr Blundell utilises social media to open up access to his research topic and related themes. He regularly makes comment on boundaries and harm in therapy - a contentious but necessary topic to keep pulling into the light. He also champions the research of others and for these reasons, he was chosen as researcher of the year 2020", National Counsellors' Day (Counsellors Together UK)., https://www.nationalcounsellorsday.co.uk/counselling-awards-2020/. 2020

Counselling Research Award, CPCAB, http://www.cpcab.co.uk/researchaward/. 2019

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