Rising Authoritarianism and the Implications for Counselling and Psychotherapy, Friday, 11th April 2025
April 10 @ 10:00 am - 1:30 pm
Rising Authoritarianism and the Implications for Counselling and Psychotherapy, Friday, 11th April 2025
We warmly invite students, staff, and the wider therapeutic community to a mini symposium exploring the impact of rising authoritarianism on counselling and psychotherapy. As political landscapes shift globally, we will examine how authoritarian dynamics influence personal and collective psychosocial wellbeing, therapeutic practice, and the profession itself.
Join us for a morning of insightful discussions with leading thinkers in the field by registering here.
Date: Friday, 11th April 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Venue: Hybrid; Mclaren Stuart Room, Old College, University of Edinburgh
Please note: this event is hybrid for accessibility – it is free and open to all. We highly encourage in-person attendance for those in and around Edinburgh.
Symposium Programme
- 10:00 – 10:10 AM | Opening Remarks by Nini Kerr
- 10:10 – 10:50 AM | William Kerr – Nationalism and the Global Rise of Authoritarianism
- Break
- 11:00 – 11:40 AM | Susie Orbach – The Seductions and Perils of Authoritarianism
- Break
- 12:00 – 12:40 PM | Barry Richards – Toxic Confusions In and Around Authoritarianism Today
- 12:40 – 1:10 PM | Small Group Discussion – Rising Authoritarianism and the Implications for Counselling and Psychotherapy
- 1:10 – 1:30 PM | Final Plenary
This symposium offers a space for critical reflection on the rise of authoritarianism and its implications for therapeutic practice and communities. the role of the therapist and of course, We see our coming together as a political act of engagement in these turbulent times and look forward to your participation in this timely conversation. The symposium is funded by Student Experience Grant
Symposium Convenors: Nini Kerr, Rhea Gandhi, and Jahnavi Dutta
Symposium Anchors: Yaxin Hu (Prof Doc), Beca Sammon (MSc in ICC), Ally Fukada (MSc in CS), Kartika Ladwal (Prof Doc)
If you have any queries regarding registration, please contact Rhea, who is able to advise you: rhea.gandhi@ed.ac.uk