Making Sense of Theory in Practice

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Written by: Samantha Crapnell

Training for Counsellors Ltd.

May 2026.

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A common question during learning sessions is, “But what does this actually look like in practice?”

This question tells of a core component of adult learning. We tend to want to know the relevance of what we are learning, perhaps because new learning is in competition with all the other important things from life that we have to remember to know or do differently.

We firmly believe that counselling training should be relatable and translatable to counselling practice. So, as difficult as it can be to get excited about theory, we can’t avoid it or skip it, or it will show up in your practice somewhere.

 

From Theory to Client Work

Clients don’t usually present in theoretical categories. Clients present in therapy saying:

• “I’m depressed.”

• “Other people are idiots.”

• “My relationships are falling apart.”

• “I have anxiety.”

Theories offer frameworks, language and orientation for noticing what the client is and isn’t saying so we can hear:

• “I would like to talk about how I have internalised conditions of worth and the impact this is having on my relationship with Self.”

• “I am attending therapy to examine recurring life scripts that always place me in the same position in the drama triangle.”

• “There is an unhelpful dynamic in my relationship and I would like to truly understand my contribution to that dynamic and work out whether it is a relationship that I want to work at.”

• “The confusion that I carry about my place in the world feels unbearably heavy and unpredictable. I would like to explore my personal philosophies so that I can endeavour to live a life of authenticity.”

 

Making Learning Relatable and Usable

Counselling training should support you to move between these two positions.

• Between what the client brings and the frameworks that help you make sense of it.

• Between lived experience and theory.

• Between not knowing and beginning to understand.

This is not about getting it ‘right’ or having the perfect theoretical explanation in the moment. It is about gradually developing your ability to notice, to make sense of complexity and to respond in a way that is informed, ethical and grounded in your developing practice.

 

Reflection

You might want to pause and consider:

• What theories are you currently finding difficult to connect with?

• Where have you already noticed theory showing up in your practice, even if you didn’t have the language for it at the time?

 

Closing

Over time, theory becomes less about something you have to remember and more about something you can draw upon.

It offers you language, orientation and choice in your work.

This is what supports you to move from training into practice in a way that feels both grounded and sustainable.

 

#trainingforcounsellors #counsellingtraining #qualifications #howadultslearn

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