Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Mick is a Professor of Counselling Psychology at the University of Roehampton, a Chartered Psychologist, and an internationally recognised author, trainer, and consultant in the fields of humanistic, existential, and pluralistic therapies.
This is Mick’s sixth appearance at The Weekend University, and I can think of very few people on the planet that have both the breadth and depth of knowledge in counselling and psychotherapy as him.
This particular conversation focuses on his research into working at relational depth in counselling and psychotherapy.
Here are some of the key things you’ll learn:
— What relational depth is and why it’s critical for anyone working in the helping professions to be aware of
— Martin Buber, the difference between “I - It” and “I Thou” Modes of Relating and how Buber’s philosophy can enhance therapeutic work
— The biggest barriers to relational depth and how to avoid them
— The best practices for creating the conditions of relational depth with clients, and why you can’t force it
— Mick’s advice to his younger self before becoming a psychotherapist.
And more.
You can learn more about Mick’s work at https://mick-cooper.squarespace.com.
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Professor Mick Cooper is an internationally recognised author, trainer, and consultant in the field of humanistic, existential, and pluralistic therapies. He is a Chartered Psychologist, and Professor of Counselling Psychology at the University of Roehampton. Mick has facilitated workshops and lectures around the world, including New Zealand, Lithuania, and Florida. His books include Existential Therapies, Working at Relational Depth in Counselling and Psychotherapy, and The Handbook of Pluralistic Counselling and Psychotherapy. His latest work is Integrating Counselling and Psychotherapy: Directionality, Synergy, and Social Change. Mick’s main areas of research have been in shared decision-making/personalising therapy, and counselling for young people in schools. In 2014, Mick received the Carmi Harari Mid-Career Award from the American Psychological Association. He is also a Fellow of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and the Academy of Social Sciences. You can follow him on Twitter: @mickcooper77
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Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
00:11 – Relational Depth
10:39 – Long-Term Relational Depth
23:27 – Martin Buber in Therapy
30:43 – Deepening Connection
34:19 – Overcoming Barriers
41:03 – Cultivating Authenticity
47:46 – Book Recommendation
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Interview Links:
— Working at Relational Depth in Counselling and Psychotherapy - Dave Mearns & Mick Cooper: amzn.to/38liKax
— Existential Therapies - Mick Cooper: amzn.to/3PJXDiN
— I and Thou - Martin Buber: amzn.to/3apzCh0
— Further resources on relational depth can be found on Mick’s website: mick-cooper.squarespace.com/relational-depth
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3 Books Mick Recommends Every Therapist Should Read:
— Bergin and Garfield's Handbook of Psychotherapy and Behaviour Change - Michael Barkham, Wolfgang Lutz & Louis Castonguay: amzn.to/39WQFqd
— Psychotherapy Relationships that Work: Therapist Contributions and Responsiveness to Patients - John Norcross: amzn.to/3t0iCnP
— The Gift of Therapy - Irvin Yalom: amzn.to/3yX33Be
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— Get our latest psychology lectures emailed to your inbox: bit.ly/new-talks5
— Check out our next event: theweekenduniversity.com/events
Mick is a Professor of Counselling Psychology at the University of Roehampton, a Chartered Psychologist, and an internationally recognised author, trainer, and consultant in the fields of humanistic, existential, and pluralistic therapies.
This is Mick’s sixth appearance at The Weekend University, and I can think of very few people on the planet that have both the breadth and depth of knowledge in counselling and psychotherapy as him.
This particular conversation focuses on his research into working at relational depth in counselling and psychotherapy.
Here are some of the key things you’ll learn:
— What relational depth is and why it’s critical for anyone working in the helping professions to be aware of
— Martin Buber, the difference between “I - It” and “I Thou” Modes of Relating and how Buber’s philosophy can enhance therapeutic work
— The biggest barriers to relational depth and how to avoid them
— The best practices for creating the conditions of relational depth with clients, and why you can’t force it
— Mick’s advice to his younger self before becoming a psychotherapist.
And more.
You can learn more about Mick’s work at https://mick-cooper.squarespace.com.
---
Professor Mick Cooper is an internationally recognised author, trainer, and consultant in the field of humanistic, existential, and pluralistic therapies. He is a Chartered Psychologist, and Professor of Counselling Psychology at the University of Roehampton. Mick has facilitated workshops and lectures around the world, including New Zealand, Lithuania, and Florida. His books include Existential Therapies, Working at Relational Depth in Counselling and Psychotherapy, and The Handbook of Pluralistic Counselling and Psychotherapy. His latest work is Integrating Counselling and Psychotherapy: Directionality, Synergy, and Social Change. Mick’s main areas of research have been in shared decision-making/personalising therapy, and counselling for young people in schools. In 2014, Mick received the Carmi Harari Mid-Career Award from the American Psychological Association. He is also a Fellow of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and the Academy of Social Sciences. You can follow him on Twitter: @mickcooper77
---
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
00:11 – Relational Depth
10:39 – Long-Term Relational Depth
23:27 – Martin Buber in Therapy
30:43 – Deepening Connection
34:19 – Overcoming Barriers
41:03 – Cultivating Authenticity
47:46 – Book Recommendation
---
Interview Links:
— Working at Relational Depth in Counselling and Psychotherapy - Dave Mearns & Mick Cooper: amzn.to/38liKax
— Existential Therapies - Mick Cooper: amzn.to/3PJXDiN
— I and Thou - Martin Buber: amzn.to/3apzCh0
— Further resources on relational depth can be found on Mick’s website: mick-cooper.squarespace.com/relational-depth
---
3 Books Mick Recommends Every Therapist Should Read:
— Bergin and Garfield's Handbook of Psychotherapy and Behaviour Change - Michael Barkham, Wolfgang Lutz & Louis Castonguay: amzn.to/39WQFqd
— Psychotherapy Relationships that Work: Therapist Contributions and Responsiveness to Patients - John Norcross: amzn.to/3t0iCnP
— The Gift of Therapy - Irvin Yalom: amzn.to/3yX33Be
---
— Get our latest psychology lectures emailed to your inbox: bit.ly/new-talks5
— Check out our next event: theweekenduniversity.com/events
