EDITORIAL

Welcome to the Spring 2018 edition of our Inside Out journal.

As we all begin to navigate another year, it seems the weather, and the increased weather warnings, continue to remind us of global changes and the truth of the human struggle with impermanence. Nothing stays the same. The political and financial aspects of Brexit seem to dominate the media focus, and yet what about the loss or potential disconnect from our near neighbours? How many of us know somebody living in Britain who, despite the democratic process, is deeply disturbed by this movement away from, rather than towards? In our own land we are debating and discussing another emotive and divisive issue in the form of the Eighth Amendment. Meanwhile, as the # Me Too movement has encouraged a global shift on the use of social media to express and expose experiences of abuse, within our community as caring professionals we are tasked with the issue of mandatory reporting and its potential impact on the therapeutic process.

In these changing times, perhaps the client and the therapist can engage more with a shared vulnerability? In her article, Marie Tierney discusses the importance of mutuality as part of the therapeutic relationship, with the experience of being understood as a key aspect of addressing psychological ill health in relationship.

In a very real and illuminating conversation, Pauline Dolan asks Jude Fay to discuss an oft- maligned area of the therapeutic relationship in the form of money and payment. The question of whether our work is seen as a vocation or profession is highlighted and the potential shadow of shame for being paid for caring is brought to our attention.

In her research-based article, Lorena Sánchez Blanco reminds us of the need for deep attunement with our clients, particularly in terms of understanding their culture and background and when English is their second language.

In her podcast review, Diane McDonald shares how she uses a growing medium of communication to reduce her sense of isolation as a practitioner and promote her experience of belonging to the larger therapeutic community.

As an editing board, we are constantly reviewing our journal and its place and relevance to you, our readers. In this regard we would like to draw your attention to an upcoming Inside Out survey, which will be emailed out to members shortly. We would like to get your opinions and responses to support us in continuing to provide a journal that reflects our members’ needs and promotes a level of connection in an organisation with individual diversity and geographical separateness.

Finally, we would like to welcome two new members, Belinda Kelly and Diane McDonald, to the editing board. We would also like to thank all our contributors to the journal in 2017 and encourage all of you to consider sending in a submission over the coming year – after all it is your journal!