Friday 3 July 2026
Meet Peter Rogers
Each month we spotlight an ACA member in the ACA Monthly Bulletin, our monthly newsletter. The Member Spotlight is designed to showcase the work of our members to you! We hope their stories inspire or spark interest. Let’s share our experiences within our counselling community.
What motivated you to pursue a career in counselling/psychotherapy?
I’ve always appreciated help and kindness from others, and being a counsellor and supervisor positions us to do just that. Both roles are privileges and positions of trust. I appreciate that too, and the complexity of our work makes it more inviting and engaging. It’s all about people and the human context (roles, relationships, and situations), and I just love all of that. I’ve always been interested in people and context.
What specific areas do you primarily work within?
I primarily provide supervision to a diverse range of professionals, including counsellors, social workers, youth workers, school support officers, teachers, school principals, doctors, lawyers, and clergy. I also see counselling clients, from adolescents to older adults. No two clients or supervisees are the same. No two days are the same, but I mostly work from my home office via Zoom, then from my rooms for in-person appointments. I am often visiting an agency, where they kindly set me up in a room, and I provide supervision to staff. I like my ‘days out’, but I certainly couldn’t do that every day.
Can you share a recent success or achievement in your counselling work that you're proud of?
I am humbled by the trust our clients place in us and the pain they find the strength to share with us. I remember first working with a client when she was 11 years old. There were lots of challenging transitions for her and her family, and she kept coming back as needed. She is now in her second year at university, and whilst we don’t meet routinely, she stays in touch and comes for a conversation when she feels ready. Every other month, I hear from a new client who starts by saying, “I hope you don’t mind me being in touch, I got your number from my friend ‘#’”. The referrals she has provided have warmed my heart and really contributed to the growth of my practice, but more significantly, her growth inspires me to make the time for those who want to and are able to do their work.
What is the most rewarding aspect of being a counsellor/psychotherapist for you?
Working to understand someone and something, then many things, then not knowing and seeking different perspectives. I like the ‘in the moment’ nature of the work, and the power of the client-counsellor connection. It’s all about the relationship – but you all know that already!
How do you contribute to the betterment of the profession and your community?
By modelling professional conduct in every context, and by calling myself a counsellor/supervisor. It’s very private work. Seeing others achieve what they want is very rewarding. Being invited to provide support is a privilege.
Are there any particular projects or initiatives you're currently involved in?
I’m trying very hard to finish my PhD. It was a bright idea at the time, but one I wish I had held lightly… as Michael White may have suggested. After I collected the data, I felt compelled to continue, as the participants provided such rich insights into supervision that I hope will benefit all of us. It’s about how supervision supports counsellors. I also engage with CPD opportunities and conferences. Because most of us in private practice work so independently, these are great opportunities to come together.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in counselling/psychotherapy?
Go for it! If you’re curious, you’re already seriously begun. It’s a wonderful journey of insight through reflection.
Is there a quote or philosophy that inspires your work?
Yalom – it’s the relationship that heals.
Open question - tell anything that was not asked in the previous questions.
We mustn’t underestimate the importance of humour in our work. Yes, it is seriously authentic stuff we are doing, but humour may speak to irony, efficiently reflect a shared understanding of the human context, and lighten the mood to help someone keep going.