Simplicity: Pluralistic Reflections

Amanda McGuinness ( amandanbentley3@outlook.com ) completed a Sexual Health degree at the University of Central Lancashire in 2024, and is commencing a Master’s in Mental Health Nursing at Manchester Metropolitan University in Feb 2025. A previous urology nurse, she has always had an interest in sexual health and psychology and, more recently, the pluralistic approach to therapy.

John McLeod once gave a simple response in an interview with trainees. When asked about what qualities he felt are needed for someone wanting to use the pluralistic approach, the answer resonated. He simply stated that one quality was the basic desire to help others.

Another pluralistic narrative of how simply viewing what we have in our own lives to help also made me reflect that our therapeutic support needn’t be complex. My mum used to tell my siblings and I to ‘look up’ (if possible, at the sky), when life felt tough. The simplicity of those words has felt very powerful and helpful to me. I knew what she was conveying, even if I couldn’t tell you as a child. The simple ritual of my daily running has also helped me process a difficult time, or equally, a joyous time in my life. These mindfulness examples making me reflect that, as a trainee therapist, I might have more tools than I think I do.

I hear the debate about how complicated the concept of pluralism can feel, but I don’t agree. It feels very uncomplicated to me if we keep the client at the core of our conversation.

I attribute this understanding to a recent safeguarding situation I was involved with. At the heart of the situation were young people. The adults around them felt unsure of what to do and were worried about upsetting others and the consequences of that. They felt it was too hard, too complex to navigate. I, however, didn’t see the complexity, I just saw the young people wanting to be deeply listened to. This ultimately meant a simple resolution for all concerned, because I was clear on the accountability, clear on what needed to be said.

We all have our language, from the cheffing world to the world of sport, or nursing, or art, or teaching. We all have our terminology, the stuff that becomes safe and familiar. I get it. But I think the language we use in therapy needn’t worry us as practitioners. Asking the simple question of what pronouns a client likes to use demonstrates inclusivity and that this is a safe space. It takes less than 30 seconds to simply say but also non-verbally, speak volumes to my client about what perhaps I can offer as a therapist.

I for one, hope that this debate about the simplicity, and the complexity, of the pluralistic approach continues. It can keep us curious about where our therapeutic journey takes us as professionals. It also keeps us mindful, present, and diverse in our thinking–inclusive rather than exclusive. It keeps us, simply, human.