Editorial

This is the first issue of the journal to be published following the World Association Conference in Holland in July 2003. During that conference the journal editors and publisher had a most productive meeting with about 40 members of the Association. We were able to describe our editorial policy and publishing schedule and hold much useful consultation with those present. One of the dominant features of policy that was strongly supported was our determination to make PCEP a journal of high quality. Also well supported by those present were our efforts to make the journal fully international, so that it could be the communication vehicle for the many different person-centered and experiential traditions throughout the world.

The present issue is a good example of that ambition. Two of the papers (Behr and Spielhofer) began their existence as German-language drafts and were reviewed in German before translation and a second-stage English-language review. That process is time consuming, but the results are worth it for the international communication achieved. For example, Behr’s paper introduces his concept of interactive resonance in play therapy to a wider audience.  In his writing we get a picture of an active therapist, willing not just to reflect (cf. Axline) but to engage relationally. This depiction of the development of person-centered work in a playtherapy context mirrors similar emphasis on relational engagement in adult work in other parts of the world. Also, this paper will be important to the English-speaking community, where the term ‘child-centered play therapy’ is used but the work described does not follow a recognizable person-centered paradigm.

Similarly, Spielhofer’s paper will be important in the dialogue it establishes with personcentered theorists from English language regions. Spielhofer seeks a more differentiated developmental theory, rather than one that is based on the simple metaphor of ‘growth’.  Like Mearns (PCEP 1:1/2) he argues that it is a mistake to separate the actualizing tendency and social influence — we need to look at these together, in interaction.

This issue also includes an unusual paper from Worsley, a British theorist, practitioner and author. Worsley outlines how practitioner research can be used as a vehicle for personal/professional development. Within the British tradition considerable emphasis is placed upon personal work, not just in initial training but in continuing professional development (CPD).  Readers from other parts of the world should also note that Worsley’s use of the term ‘counseling’ rather than ‘therapy’ does not represent a different activity. In Britain the term ‘counseling’ covers the same activities as would be termed ‘therapy’ elsewhere.

The final paper in this issue is also by a German language speaker (Schmid). Earlier drafts of this paper have been presented at conferences in Austria, Holland and the USA, but this is its first publication in the English language. Highly acclaimed wherever it has been presented, this paper systematically takes the reader through the issues inherent in the person centered paradigm, showing the distinctiveness of that paradigm but also emphasizing the value of close association with colleagues from the wider person-centered and experiential family.

The publication schedule for the various issues of PCEP is affected by our efforts to consider papers initially in a variety of languages. Early issues of Vol. 2 have been slower to appear, but the production schedule is designed to achieve regularity within two years of the start of the journal. Issue 2:3 is nearing completion and should follow within 6–8 weeks.  Issue 2:4 is being edited by Roelf Takens and Germain Lietaer and contains the plenary papers and panel discussion from the PCE conference. It will be published early in 2004.   The first two issues of Volume 3 will be devoted to World Association Conference papers (instead of a conference book). Many of these papers are already being reviewed and issues 3:1 and 3:2 will be published around April and June 2004. The final issues of Volume 3 are targeted for September and December 2004 and will contain new work. Please send further conference papers and new papers for consideration to any of the three co-editors (see inside back cover for submission details).

Robert Elliott, Peter F. Schmid, Dave Mearns, September 2003