Out of character Lis Merrick and Sue Makin Why do I feel so defensive? – BACP Practitioner’s conference, Leeds, 8 March Lis Merrick: Encouraged by a dear friend and colleague, also a counsellor, I decided to attend the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) Practitioner’s conference in Leeds on 8 March. The programme seemed very coaching-orientated and it would be good CPD for me. The conference was great. I really enjoyed the programme and meeting new and fascinating people, some of whom I am already developing stronger ties with. However, by lunchtime I found...