Relational Best with Amanda Williamson

I’ve seen BC Camplight live three times now. First in 2021, then in 2023. His music and lyrics are richly layered in nuance with a deep undertone of poignant misery. Brian Cristinzio is charismatic, if somewhat self-deprecating, with a vivid sense of dark humour.  This time, I'm going with the intention of writing a review afterwards. It’s the first time I’m doing anything like this, informed by my interest in people and my years of experience working with addiction and trauma. I’ve worked therapeutically with many incredibly creative individuals over the years.   The book  Touched with Fire  explores the link between creativity and mental health suffering and its artistic expression: the anguish, agony, and emotional depth associated with bipolar disorder often finds expression in the art of those who suffer from it. For artists, the illness can be a source of both torment and inspiration. Brian has openly discussed his own struggles with severe depression, anxiety,...

(This article first appeared in the October 2025 issue of Coaching Today , published by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. www.bacp.co.uk/bacp-journals/coaching-today/ ©BACP 2025)

I previously wrote about losing my Senior Accreditation with the BACP following the forthcoming implementation of the SCoPEd framework. That experience raised questions about fairness, accessibility and how our professional bodies treat long-serving practitioners. Glencoe last week, having completed my application Last night I handed in my application to upgrade to Senior Accreditation with the NCPS. It's a rigorous process, and the equivalent of a Level 7; seven sections across 8,250 words evidencing my work in the professional community, my understanding of unconscious processes, my experience working with psychopathy, and an academic research proposal. It’s been intense and demanding, and deeply reflective. The process hasn’t been without its challenges. My supervisor of eleven years recently had a stroke and has been unable to provide a written report. Thankfully, my new supervisor is someone who has known me since 2007, and whom I have had peer supervision since I moved into ...