Dr Peter Blundell
School of Psychology
Faculty: Faculty of Health
School: School of Psychology
Email address: P.J.Blundell@ljmu.ac.uk
Telephone: 0151 231 8028
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).
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
2022, University of Derby, United Kingdom, Post Graduate Certificate in Clinical Supervision (PGCCS)
2020, Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom, Post Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP)
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
Certifications
2020, Liverpool John Moores University, Post Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice
Academic appointments
Sessional Lecturer, MSc in Contemporary Person-Centred Psychotherapy, Metanoia, 2021 - present
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, Burke B, Wilson AM, Jones B. 2022. Self as a Teaching Tool: Exploring Power and Anti-oppressive Practice with Counselling/Psychotherapy Students Psychotherapy and Politics International, 20 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Blundell P, Oakley L, Kinmond K. 2022. Who are we protecting? - Exploring counsellors’ understanding and experience of boundaries. European Journal of Qualitative Research in Psychotherapy, 12 :13-28 Publisher Url Public Url
Blundell P. 2020. #TherapistsConnect: Our voices are stronger together Tudor K. Psychotherapy and Politics International, 19 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Scott K, Blundell P, Dougan L. Therapist Experiences of Congruence in School-Based Counselling Finlay L. European Journal of Qualitative Research in Psychotherapy, 13
Book
Blundell P. 2022. Contributed to - Step in to Study Counselling & Psychotherapy: A Student's Guide to Tackling Training and Course Assignments Lee D, Sanders P. PCCS Books 9781915220141 Publisher 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. Therapists on Twitter: A case study of facilitating #TraineeTalk, an innovative international social media learning community for student counsellors and psychotherapists. https://cpb-eu-w2.wpmucdn.com/reflect.ucl.ac.uk/dist/7/4129/files/2021/01/Parallel-Sessions-3-1440-to-1500-Abstracts-and-session-descriptions.pdf, Publisher Url
Blundell P. Responding to Boundary Issues: A Qualitative Study https://www.bacp.co.uk/media/5875/bacp-research-conference-2019-abstracts.pdf, BACP Annual Research Conference 2019 Author Url Publisher Url
Blundell P, Oakley L. Missing People and Fragmented Stories: Painting Holistic Pictures through Single Pen Portrait Analysis (SPPA). Qualitative Methods in Psychology (QMiP) Conference
Blundell P. #TherapistsConnect: Relational activism through virtual and online communities. BSA Work, Employment and Society Conference 2021: Connectedness, Activism and Dignity at work in a Precarious Era
Other
Blundell P, Oakley L. Qualitative Methods in Psychology (QMiP) Conference 2022, taking place on Wednesday 13th – Friday 15th July at De Montfort University, Leicester QMiP Bulletin, Autumn
Other Professional Activity:
External Subject Specialist , Birkbeck, University of London.. 2023
Panel Chair - Integrating Research into Private Practice. 2021
Media Coverage:
Dr Blundell discusses mental health and wellbeing during the COVID19 pandemic, specifically how to manage when coming out of lockdown, Ask The Expert: BBC Radio Merseyside. 2021
Dr Blundell discusses mental health and wellbeing during the COVID19 pandemic, Ask The Expert: BBC Radio Merseyside. 2021
SCoPEd Debate, Organiser and Co-Chair of a student debate around SCoPEd project. 2020
Spotlight, Therapy Today (Article) - Professional Profile 2020
Spotlight, BACP (Podcast) - Professional Profile 2020
Conference presentation:
Understanding therapists' responses to boundary issues through qualitative research, Person-Centred Research Matters, Metanoia Institute, Oral presentation. 2022
#TherapistsConnect - Relational Activism, PCSR Conference 2021: Celebrating Activism, Virtual, Oral presentation. 2021
SCoPEd: Assumptions, Power and Privilege, Psychotherapists and Counsellors for Social Responsibility, Oral presentation. 2020
Conference organisation:
#TherapistsConnect - Private Practice Conference, Organiser. 2021
#TherapistsConnect Conference, 'Connection, Collaboration and Community for Therapists',, Co-lead, Conference Organiser. 2021
Editorial boards:
European Journal of Qualitative Research in Psychotherapy, Co-editor, https://ejqrp.org/index.php/ejqrp/about/editorialTeam. 2021
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
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