Working as a counselling psychologist in an adult learning disability team

This chapter captures my experience of working as a counselling psychologist in an NHS adult learning disability team over the last decade. It outlines what a learning disability is before exploring the most critical current and historical contexts. Finally, it describes key aspects of the role and provides some personal reflections. This chapter looks at the importance of the therapeutic relationship as an agent of change within therapy, as well as the different relationships that may impact on the life of your client. Having also worked in a leadership role in trauma-informed approaches in learning disabilities, I have outlined how this ethos effectively fits in both with the client group and the discipline of counselling psychology.