Mick Cooper
Biographic Data
| ID | 4439552 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Mick Cooper |
| GIVEN NAMES | Mick |
| FAMILY NAME | Cooper |
| SIGNATURE | COOPER M |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Roehampton, London, UK |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-1492-2260 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 21 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 27 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 21 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1995 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 3 |
Existential Empathy: A Qualitative Exploration of Therapists’ Development Following Experiential–Existential Training
Existential empathy is an emerging construct within humanistic and person-centered psychology. It refers to the therapist’s capacity to remain present with a client’s existential concerns, to resonate with these concerns, and to communicate this resonance empathically. Recently, an experiential–existential psychotherapy (EEP) training program was developed to cultivate existential empathy by enhancing therapists’ openness to existential concerns …
The psychological impact of visual art in the workplace on employees: A systematic mixed-studies review
Factorial structure and measurement invariance of the Italian version of the Cooper – Norcross Inventory of Preferences (C-NIP)
There is increasing evidence that psychotherapy efficacy can be enhanced by accommodating clients’ preferences regarding their role, the treatment, and the therapist. Several instruments are available to measure these concepts, although only the Cooper-Norcross Inventory of Preferences (C-NIP) appears particularly suitable for psychotherapy. This study aimed to validate the Italian version of the C-NIP and to provide norms for both clinical and r…
Mental health practitioners’ perceptions of online working: A literature review
A move to online therapy, observed in counselling courses within the UK during the global Covid-19 pandemic, prompted a research team of counselling educators to undertake a rapid literature review to explore the perceptions and experiences of video therapy internationally (PROSPERO 2020 CRD42020204705). Four databases (CINAHL, Medline, PsychInfo, and Web of Science) were searched using 25 keyword-phrases. Over half the research identified focuse…
Synergies: Understandings in a complex world
The Impact of Relational Depth on Subjective Well-being in Close Relationships in the Community
Relational depth (RD)—moments of profound connection and engagement between two people—is a humanistic–existential construct, showing preliminary association with psychological growth in psychotherapy. This research investigates the impact of RD, alongside relationship satisfaction and emotional intimacy, on subjective well-being in close relationships in the community. Psychometric properties of latent variables were assessed in a stratified onl…
Helpful and unhelpful processes in psychological therapy for female substance users: An interpretative phenomenological analysis
This study explored helpful and unhelpful processes in psychological therapy for women with a diagnosis of substance use disorder (SUD). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight women, seven of whom were white; and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Three superordinate themes emerged: What words can’t express – finding another language, Identification with my therapist, and Getting towards acceptance. Emerging cl…
Research-active therapists and therapy trainees: The need for continuity and clinical significance in our research
Mick Cooper is Professor of Counselling Psychology, as well as Acting Director of the Centre for Research in Psychological Wellbeing (CREW) at the University of Roehampton. Aside from being a research-active practitioner, with research interests in counselling with children and young people as well as humanistic, existential and relational approaches to therapy, Mick is co-developer of the pluralistic approach to therapeutic practice. He has publ…
Development and Validation of Responses to Personal Mortality Measure
The aim of this study was to develop and validate the Responses to Personal Mortality Measure (RPMM), a new self-report tool to assess existential skills in relating to personal mortality. Items reflecting responses to personal mortality were generated and then selected through a rating process. They were further refined using Three-Step Test Interviews (TSTI). The psychometric properties of 91 items were explored with an online sample of 869 res…
The Authenticity Scale as an Outcome Measure for Psychotherapy: A Psychometric Evaluation
We aimed to evaluate how the Authenticity Scale, a measure of authenticity based on humanistic psychology, functioned as an outcome measure for psychological therapies. Ninety participating clients completed the Authenticity Scale at set intervals throughout their therapy. We considered the measure’s reliability, construct validity, acceptability, and sensitivity to therapeutic intervention. The Authenticity Scale and each of its subscales (Authe…
Helpful aspects of counselling for young people who have experienced bullying: A thematic analysis
Research suggests that bullying is one of the most common presenting issues for young people accessing counselling. In this study, we explored helpful aspects of counselling for young people who have experienced bullying. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 participantsand analysed using thematic analysis. Participants identified five helpful counsellor activities: (a) counsellors’ way of relating, (b) creating safety, (c) incorpora…
An Application of the Three-Step Test-Interview (TSTI) in the Validation of the Relational Depth Frequency Scale
The main objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of a new qualitative scale development methodology—Three-Step Test-Interview (TSTI)—in its first application in the validation of a psychotherapy scale: The Relational Depth Frequency Scale (RDFS). The TSTI is a cognitive pretesting method designed to uncover potential problems in scale construction. The RDFS is a six-item unidimensional scale of in-depth therapeutic relating, designed …
Characteristic practices of existential psychotherapy: A worldwide survey of practitioners’ perspectives
Existential Psychotherap ies: Similarities and Differences Among the Main Branches
Authors agree that a range of different existential therapies exist. However, not much has been written about what is characteristic and distinctive of each existential therapy, and the few claims that have been made are mainly hypothetical. Practitioners from the four main branches of existential therapy were asked about the authors and texts that have most influenced their practice and the practices they considered most characteristic of existe…
The Fully Functioning Society: A Humanistic–Existential Vision of an Actualizing, Socially Just Future
The aim of this article is to address the question, “What kind of future society would we, in the humanistic psychology movement, want to see?” The article argues that a “good” society is one in which people can actualize their wants to a maximum extent, and where each person has an equal opportunity to do so. The article suggests that this maximization of wants can be achieved through the development of synergies: means of actualizing wants that…
Research Paper Post-traumatic growth following bereavement: A systematic review of the literature
The Intrinsic Foundations of Extrinsic Motivations and Goals: Toward a Unified Humanistic Theory of Well-Being and Change
A key contribution of both classical and contemporary humanistic theories is their distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic motivations and drives and their demonstration that psychological well-being is more strongly associated with the former than the latter. However, such a dimensionalization raises the question of how extrinsic motivations and goals emerge; and classic humanistic attempts to account for this tend to contradict some of the …
Dialogue: Bridging Personal, Community, and Social Transformation
The concept and practice of dialogue has underpinned key developments in humanistic psychotherapy and counseling. However, dialogue has also been adopted by, and incorporated into, a range of educational, community and social theories and practices, and in this sense forms a valuable bridge between humanistic psychology and the wider field of sociopolitical theory and activity. This article critically reviews how the concept of dialogue has been …
A State of Readiness: An Exploration of the Client’s Role in Meeting at Relational Depth
It is widely acknowledged that the therapeutic relationship is important to therapeutic outcome. In recent years, there has been additional evidence to suggest that specific, identifiable moments of relational depth between client and therapist can also have a major positive impact on the progress and outcome of therapy; however, the question of how such moments occur remains largely unexplored. Are they solely initiated by the therapist, or does…
Interpersonal Perceptions and Metaperceptions: Psychotherapeutic Practice in the Interexperiential Realm
This article aims to systematize and develop humanistic practice by considering the implications of adopting an experiential stance to working within the “interexperiential” realm: the interface between one person's experiences and those of another. Psychological theory and research are used to develop an understanding of how people perceive, and misperceive, others' experiences, and implications for practice are discussed, particularly the need …
Conference Participants
This material was digitized as part of a cooperative project between Radiocarbon and the University of Arizona Libraries
Dialogue: Bridging Personal, Community, and Social Transformation
The concept and practice of dialogue has underpinned key developments in humanistic psychotherapy and counseling. However, dialogue has also been adopted by, and incorporated into, a range of educational, community and social theories and practices, and in this sense forms a valuable bridge between humanistic psychology and the wider field of sociopolitical theory and activity. This article critically reviews how the concept of dialogue has been …
The Fully Functioning Society: A Humanistic–Existential Vision of an Actualizing, Socially Just Future
The aim of this article is to address the question, “What kind of future society would we, in the humanistic psychology movement, want to see?” The article argues that a “good” society is one in which people can actualize their wants to a maximum extent, and where each person has an equal opportunity to do so. The article suggests that this maximization of wants can be achieved through the development of synergies: means of actualizing wants that…
Interpersonal Perceptions and Metaperceptions: Psychotherapeutic Practice in the Interexperiential Realm
This article aims to systematize and develop humanistic practice by considering the implications of adopting an experiential stance to working within the “interexperiential” realm: the interface between one person's experiences and those of another. Psychological theory and research are used to develop an understanding of how people perceive, and misperceive, others' experiences, and implications for practice are discussed, particularly the need …
The Intrinsic Foundations of Extrinsic Motivations and Goals: Toward a Unified Humanistic Theory of Well-Being and Change
A key contribution of both classical and contemporary humanistic theories is their distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic motivations and drives and their demonstration that psychological well-being is more strongly associated with the former than the latter. However, such a dimensionalization raises the question of how extrinsic motivations and goals emerge; and classic humanistic attempts to account for this tend to contradict some of the …
The Impact of Relational Depth on Subjective Well-being in Close Relationships in the Community
Relational depth (RD)—moments of profound connection and engagement between two people—is a humanistic–existential construct, showing preliminary association with psychological growth in psychotherapy. This research investigates the impact of RD, alongside relationship satisfaction and emotional intimacy, on subjective well-being in close relationships in the community. Psychometric properties of latent variables were assessed in a stratified onl…
Development and Validation of Responses to Personal Mortality Measure
The aim of this study was to develop and validate the Responses to Personal Mortality Measure (RPMM), a new self-report tool to assess existential skills in relating to personal mortality. Items reflecting responses to personal mortality were generated and then selected through a rating process. They were further refined using Three-Step Test Interviews (TSTI). The psychometric properties of 91 items were explored with an online sample of 869 res…
An Application of the Three-Step Test-Interview (TSTI) in the Validation of the Relational Depth Frequency Scale
The main objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of a new qualitative scale development methodology—Three-Step Test-Interview (TSTI)—in its first application in the validation of a psychotherapy scale: The Relational Depth Frequency Scale (RDFS). The TSTI is a cognitive pretesting method designed to uncover potential problems in scale construction. The RDFS is a six-item unidimensional scale of in-depth therapeutic relating, designed …
Existential Psychotherap ies: Similarities and Differences Among the Main Branches
Authors agree that a range of different existential therapies exist. However, not much has been written about what is characteristic and distinctive of each existential therapy, and the few claims that have been made are mainly hypothetical. Practitioners from the four main branches of existential therapy were asked about the authors and texts that have most influenced their practice and the practices they considered most characteristic of existe…
A State of Readiness: An Exploration of the Client’s Role in Meeting at Relational Depth
It is widely acknowledged that the therapeutic relationship is important to therapeutic outcome. In recent years, there has been additional evidence to suggest that specific, identifiable moments of relational depth between client and therapist can also have a major positive impact on the progress and outcome of therapy; however, the question of how such moments occur remains largely unexplored. Are they solely initiated by the therapist, or does…
Conference Participants
This material was digitized as part of a cooperative project between Radiocarbon and the University of Arizona Libraries
Interpersonal Perceptions and Metaperceptions: Psychotherapeutic Practice in the Interexperiential Realm
This article aims to systematize and develop humanistic practice by considering the implications of adopting an experiential stance to working within the “interexperiential” realm: the interface between one person's experiences and those of another. Psychological theory and research are used to develop an understanding of how people perceive, and misperceive, others' experiences, and implications for practice are discussed, particularly the need …
A State of Readiness: An Exploration of the Client’s Role in Meeting at Relational Depth
It is widely acknowledged that the therapeutic relationship is important to therapeutic outcome. In recent years, there has been additional evidence to suggest that specific, identifiable moments of relational depth between client and therapist can also have a major positive impact on the progress and outcome of therapy; however, the question of how such moments occur remains largely unexplored. Are they solely initiated by the therapist, or does…
The Intrinsic Foundations of Extrinsic Motivations and Goals: Toward a Unified Humanistic Theory of Well-Being and Change
A key contribution of both classical and contemporary humanistic theories is their distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic motivations and drives and their demonstration that psychological well-being is more strongly associated with the former than the latter. However, such a dimensionalization raises the question of how extrinsic motivations and goals emerge; and classic humanistic attempts to account for this tend to contradict some of the …
Dialogue: Bridging Personal, Community, and Social Transformation
The concept and practice of dialogue has underpinned key developments in humanistic psychotherapy and counseling. However, dialogue has also been adopted by, and incorporated into, a range of educational, community and social theories and practices, and in this sense forms a valuable bridge between humanistic psychology and the wider field of sociopolitical theory and activity. This article critically reviews how the concept of dialogue has been …
Research Paper Post-traumatic growth following bereavement: A systematic review of the literature
Existential Psychotherap ies: Similarities and Differences Among the Main Branches
Authors agree that a range of different existential therapies exist. However, not much has been written about what is characteristic and distinctive of each existential therapy, and the few claims that have been made are mainly hypothetical. Practitioners from the four main branches of existential therapy were asked about the authors and texts that have most influenced their practice and the practices they considered most characteristic of existe…
The Fully Functioning Society: A Humanistic–Existential Vision of an Actualizing, Socially Just Future
The aim of this article is to address the question, “What kind of future society would we, in the humanistic psychology movement, want to see?” The article argues that a “good” society is one in which people can actualize their wants to a maximum extent, and where each person has an equal opportunity to do so. The article suggests that this maximization of wants can be achieved through the development of synergies: means of actualizing wants that…
Characteristic practices of existential psychotherapy: A worldwide survey of practitioners’ perspectives
An Application of the Three-Step Test-Interview (TSTI) in the Validation of the Relational Depth Frequency Scale
The main objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of a new qualitative scale development methodology—Three-Step Test-Interview (TSTI)—in its first application in the validation of a psychotherapy scale: The Relational Depth Frequency Scale (RDFS). The TSTI is a cognitive pretesting method designed to uncover potential problems in scale construction. The RDFS is a six-item unidimensional scale of in-depth therapeutic relating, designed …
Helpful aspects of counselling for young people who have experienced bullying: A thematic analysis
Research suggests that bullying is one of the most common presenting issues for young people accessing counselling. In this study, we explored helpful aspects of counselling for young people who have experienced bullying. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 participantsand analysed using thematic analysis. Participants identified five helpful counsellor activities: (a) counsellors’ way of relating, (b) creating safety, (c) incorpora…
Helpful and unhelpful processes in psychological therapy for female substance users: An interpretative phenomenological analysis
This study explored helpful and unhelpful processes in psychological therapy for women with a diagnosis of substance use disorder (SUD). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight women, seven of whom were white; and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Three superordinate themes emerged: What words can’t express – finding another language, Identification with my therapist, and Getting towards acceptance. Emerging cl…
Research-active therapists and therapy trainees: The need for continuity and clinical significance in our research
Mick Cooper is Professor of Counselling Psychology, as well as Acting Director of the Centre for Research in Psychological Wellbeing (CREW) at the University of Roehampton. Aside from being a research-active practitioner, with research interests in counselling with children and young people as well as humanistic, existential and relational approaches to therapy, Mick is co-developer of the pluralistic approach to therapeutic practice. He has publ…
Development and Validation of Responses to Personal Mortality Measure
The aim of this study was to develop and validate the Responses to Personal Mortality Measure (RPMM), a new self-report tool to assess existential skills in relating to personal mortality. Items reflecting responses to personal mortality were generated and then selected through a rating process. They were further refined using Three-Step Test Interviews (TSTI). The psychometric properties of 91 items were explored with an online sample of 869 res…
The Authenticity Scale as an Outcome Measure for Psychotherapy: A Psychometric Evaluation
We aimed to evaluate how the Authenticity Scale, a measure of authenticity based on humanistic psychology, functioned as an outcome measure for psychological therapies. Ninety participating clients completed the Authenticity Scale at set intervals throughout their therapy. We considered the measure’s reliability, construct validity, acceptability, and sensitivity to therapeutic intervention. The Authenticity Scale and each of its subscales (Authe…
The Impact of Relational Depth on Subjective Well-being in Close Relationships in the Community
Relational depth (RD)—moments of profound connection and engagement between two people—is a humanistic–existential construct, showing preliminary association with psychological growth in psychotherapy. This research investigates the impact of RD, alongside relationship satisfaction and emotional intimacy, on subjective well-being in close relationships in the community. Psychometric properties of latent variables were assessed in a stratified onl…
Factorial structure and measurement invariance of the Italian version of the Cooper – Norcross Inventory of Preferences (C-NIP)
There is increasing evidence that psychotherapy efficacy can be enhanced by accommodating clients’ preferences regarding their role, the treatment, and the therapist. Several instruments are available to measure these concepts, although only the Cooper-Norcross Inventory of Preferences (C-NIP) appears particularly suitable for psychotherapy. This study aimed to validate the Italian version of the C-NIP and to provide norms for both clinical and r…
Mental health practitioners’ perceptions of online working: A literature review
A move to online therapy, observed in counselling courses within the UK during the global Covid-19 pandemic, prompted a research team of counselling educators to undertake a rapid literature review to explore the perceptions and experiences of video therapy internationally (PROSPERO 2020 CRD42020204705). Four databases (CINAHL, Medline, PsychInfo, and Web of Science) were searched using 25 keyword-phrases. Over half the research identified focuse…
Synergies: Understandings in a complex world
Existential Empathy: A Qualitative Exploration of Therapists’ Development Following Experiential–Existential Training
Existential empathy is an emerging construct within humanistic and person-centered psychology. It refers to the therapist’s capacity to remain present with a client’s existential concerns, to resonate with these concerns, and to communicate this resonance empathically. Recently, an experiential–existential psychotherapy (EEP) training program was developed to cultivate existential empathy by enhancing therapists’ openness to existential concerns …
The psychological impact of visual art in the workplace on employees: A systematic mixed-studies review
Psychology (15 works) · Psychotherapist (8 works) · Social Psychology (8 works) · Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications (7 works) · Counseling, Therapy, and Family Dynamics (6 works) · Social Psychology (6 works) · Computer Science (5 works) · Epistemology (5 works) · Existentialism (5 works) · Humanism (5 works)