Continuing Professional Development Events

The Psychologists Protection Society Trust is pleased to announce two CPD events which will be held before and after our AGM on Saturday 23rd May 2026. These will be hosted by our special guest speakers – Satinder Panesar and Alex-Sanderson-Shortt / Niki D.

The second CPD event on Rethinking Relationships: An Open & Polyamorous Lens with Alex-Sanderson-Shortt & Niki D starts at 15.30 and finishes at 17.00. Details Below.

For information about the AGM please click here.

For information about our first CPD event of the day – When Therapy Goes Wrong: Ownership, Accountability & the Essential Role of Supervision at 12.15pm please click here.

15.30 – 17.00

Relationships are beautifully complex, diverse and deeply personal. Yet traditional therapeutic models often centre monogamy as the default, which risks the marginalisation of clients whose relationships exist beyond that norm.

Due to this, as two GSRD therapists specialising in working with polyamorous and open relationships, we created Opening Up CPD. A unique, in-depth course inviting participants to expand their relational lens, develop key skills and support ethically non-monogamous clients with confidence and competence.

We want to bring some of our knowledge and experience to PPS to invite conversation and enquiry. Our ideas are grounded in decolonising, queer and feminist principles which explore relationship diversity through what we have named – an Open & Polyamorous lens (O&P).

In our workshop, we will engage with the rich spectrum of consensual non-monogamy, including polyamory, open relationships, swinging, relationship anarchy, queer platonic partnerships and more – honouring how clients define and experience their connections.

In This Workshop You Will:

• Explore key themes found in diverse relationship structures
• Learn about open and polyamorous-centred models for therapeutic practice
• Develop skills for clear contracting and safe navigation of complex relational dynamics
• Engage in reflective discussion and live Q&A

Learning Outcomes:

• A deeper understanding of relationship diversity beyond monogamy
• Foundational models for working with consensual non-monogamy
• Awareness of key ethical considerations and managing risk through explicit contracting for complex and varied relationship therapy work

Opening up our minds. Opening up our hearts. Open up our relationship norms. Opening up our practice. Opening up our training and theory.

Alex Sanderson-Shortt is a psychotherapist, supervisor and educator with 20+ years of experience in charities and private practice. Alex holds an MA in Relationship Therapy (systemic & psychodynamic). He wrote and taught on Relate, level 4 & 5 courses in Relationship Therapy. Alex wrote a regular column on queer relationships for BACP Private Practice magazine. https://kascounselling.org/

Niki D is a psychotherapist, supervisor and educator with 35 years’ practice across private, statutory and voluntary sectors. She holds an MA in Existential Psychotherapy and is trained in somatic trauma therapy. Niki was a visiting lecturer on counselling and psychotherapy courses in London and has contributed four chapters on GSRD themes to therapy handbooks, combining professional insight with practical guidance. She runs in-person supervision and therapy groups in London. www.rainbowrelationships.com

Niki and Alex specialise in working with GSRD clients (gender, sexual and relationship diverse), are advanced accredited GSRD therapists and Pink Therapy clinical associates. 

They are co-directors of Opening Up CPD, a specialist course for therapists and psychologists supporting clients in polyamorous and open relationships.  https://openingupcpd.com

PPS Members are invited to watch the AGM and CPD events online (Free of Charge). Please follow the PPS Members link below on how to secure your ticket.  Non-PPS Members can also join in the CPD events online (Free of Charge).  Please follow the Non PPS Members link to secure your ticket. 

For Non PPS Members who wish to watch the CPD Events Online.

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