Dennis Bury, Chair PCPA 2020

JOURNAL WRITING

The literature about ‘Journal Writing’ [sometimes Diary Writing] is very full of research into the benefits of keeping a Log Book of commentary and reflection on the experience of learning.

Education in many fields, including, surprisingly, some sciences, has found value in aiding reflection upon learning experiences. Outcomes have included more retention of learning, greater achievement and altered emotional stance and betterment. The benefits of Journal Writing in Therapy has now a long history. There are occasionally reports of downsides but usually these apply to those in therapy with ruminative states.

Personal Construct Psychology has the task of moving with the rapidly developing interaction between people and the changes in physical and social environment which are occurring. It has had a good case for considering that Self Reflection/Reflexivity is fundamental to its method and there is a wider evidence base growing to suggest that educationally focused self development methods (as opposed to analysis) are efficacious.
The PCPA already uses reflective method to good effect in the registration of its Psychotherapist Registrants in the UK. There may be a good case for considering the use of a Journal as an aid to a Referee in the writing of a Reference and even selection processes. Future courses will have this as a fundamental element.

INCLUSIONS IN A LOG BOOK

Here follows a list of suggested inclusions from various sources for a Log Book/Writing Journal.

TWO CAUTIONS FIRST

1. If the reflection takes too ruminative a turn, it is time to stop and discuss with another.
2. A Log Book will always be vulnerable to potential hacking, even post mortem, and should therefore contain no reference to living persons in such a way as they might be denigrated or personal secrets disclosed. Likewise, a Writing Journal would not include specifics of Clients/Patients.

POSSIBLE ITEMS LIST

Largely Factual
A description of the learning activity.
The date of the learning activity
Immediate Outcomes from what was undertaken.
Copies of any certificates or validating documents. 
Initial Reflection about its application and wider meanings.   
The amount of time spent with the activity project.
Some evaluation of the level of knowledge achieved


Post Hoc Reflection

Meaning of the learning for the Self
Personal reactions to the learning
Commentary on potential application of the learning achieved
Reflections on an article or a book involved in the activity
A piece of writing on some application of PCP to some aspect of a discipline such as Psychology, Architecture, Business, Medicine, Art and so on
An account of ‘Learning Conversations’ with other PCP informed people in practice and peers.
Supervision/Teamwork
Summary of Research
Commentary on Research
Creative writing about the impact of PCP 
Use of PCP tools, such as Repertory Grid, Bow Tie, ABC, Change, Implications e.t.c.
Non Writing - Images, Photographs, Music and Artwork
Initiatives not specifically mentioned Journal Writing research
Reflections about PCP as a possible contributor to the resolution of, not only local, but also global problems.
Re-Construal of specific understandings of practice, experience and attitude in the light of PCP
Other external effects and change unconnected with the activity to practice, attitude and feelings

Reference
Reflections in Personal Construct Theory. Ed., Richard J Butler. Wiley Blackwell. 2009
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The fifth Winter School of constructivist psychology on the topic BODY & BORDERS. WHERE SYSTEM ENCOUNTERS THE WORLD.
21-24 February 2019 - San Martino di Castrozza (TN) - Italy




You can register and find more information on the website www.costruttivismo.it/alpine-tales-2019/. There are only 36 places available!
Please feel free to contact us for any questions or doubts concerning the event at alpine.tales2019@gmail.com !

The George Kelly Society is a multidisciplinary professional society is founded in June 2016, with the aim of supporting the study of, and communication about, the life and work of George Alexander Kelly [1905-1967], the Psychology of Personal Constructs, and Kelly's ongoing influence in the many fields to which he contributed. This includes the theoretical development and the practical applications of the Psychology of Personal Constructs, and its relationships to neighbouring fields. The George Kelly Society supports conferences, websites, journals and other media that share the goals of the society.

The Steering Committee consists of Prof Franz Desley Hennessy (Australia), Secretary/Treasurer, Prof Jörn Scheer (Germany), Information Officer, and, as Members-at-large, Dr.ssa Chiara Centomo (Italy), Prof Gabriele Chiari (Italy), Peter Cummins (UK), MA.

Membership is open to anyone interested in the life and work of George Kelly and the Psychology of Personal Constructs. Currently, no membership fees are charged.

If interested, please contact the secretary, Desley Hennessy (Leslie.Hennessy@gmail.com).
Website: www.kellysociety.org

PCPA now has its own channel on YOU TUBE. The channel can be accessed at:
PCPA YouTube channel

A really useful, up to date guide to PCP resources on the net has been produced by Professor Brian Gaines. You can access it at: Gaines-Internet-PCP-2016a.pdf

EPCA Facebook page with links and information about:
Edinburgh Personal Construct Congress July 2018
EPCA (European Personal Construct Association)
Congresses on PCP

The Coventry branch of PCPA have their own website at :
www.covpcp.com

The PCP Net. This site , which is run by Joern Sheer, has links to many others and has considerable literature to share about personal construct psychology. It also has portals to sites that focus on Repertory Grids. It provides an up-to-date register of books, articles and other information. There is also a link to the PCP E Journal “The Journal of Personal Construct Theory and Practice “
www.personal-construct.net

The Centre for Personal Construct Psychology presents a short but sound review of some of the history of PCP, reference lists and other resources.
www.centrepcp.co.uk/

A really splendid 'everything you ever wanted to know' about personal construct psychology Encyclopaedia can be found here:
www.pcp-net.org/encyclopaedia/main.html

Constructivist Psychology Network

Personal Construct Psychology Practitioners LinkedIn page

The new Handbook of Personal Construct Psychology is through.
Its full title is the “Wiley Handbook of Personal Construct Psychology” with David A Winter and Nick Reed as Editors. It’s a modest £120 for 567 pages to buy in print BUT you can purchase an electronic version for as little as £32. Strangely, some “used” copies are already appearing on Amazon. There are many contributors and they are all helpfully bunched up into areas of interest and knowledge. These areas represent up-to-date expertise and they break new ground as well as some reflective original writing. The volume kicks off with the late Fay Fransella’s definition of “What is a Construct?”
We shall bring you reviews of various aspects of this volume, which is going to be with us for a long time to come.
If you would like to contribute yours views and impressions, please write them to us for collation and publication on this site. Our address is via the site or at pcp.assn@gmail .com

Using Personal Construct Psychology in Practice with Children & Adolescents, edited by Heather Moran, includes practical case work examples. You can get it in the iBook store or as an online version on Issuu.

For anyone who is wondering about PCP and what it is, and what you might actually do using this approach, you will find some nice case examples. The style is easy to read, deliberately aimed towards readers with less experience in PCP and beginners. It has been edited by Heather but there are chapters by various authors. There are many interesting interventions and assessment tools for use with this client group. It will suit psychologists, counsellors, teachers and coaches.

This book is available for download with iBooks on your Mac or iPad, and with iTunes on your computer. Multi-touch books can be read with iBooks on your Mac or iPad. Books with interactive features may work best on an iPad. iBooks on your Mac requires OS X 10.9 or later.

Get free ebook

Get it from issuu

One book – two versions in case people don't have iPads.

Miller Mair: Another Way of Knowing: the poetry of psychological enquiry (2014).

Miller Mair’s last book has just been published. As its editor Simon King-Spooner says on the cover “Another way of knowing has the theme of a personal journey, taking in smaller themes as it feels its way forward… It should be read by anyone tired of bullying know-all reductionism, and feeling the need for another way of knowing”.

Available direct from the publishers Lulu Press, or from Amazon.