The Sandy Murray Memorial Award 2022 Essay Competition
What is the Sandy Murray Memorial Award?
At the instance of the Trustees of the Psychologists Protection Society, the Murray Family agreed to offer a bi-annual prize to honour the life, work and dedication to the Society by founder Sandy Murray. Since Sandy’s passing in 2014, many members have provided testimony as to the helpful support received from Sandy throughout his 40 year service and how he encouraged, inspired and enabled Members to face the difficulties which cropped up in their life as a therapist.
The 2022 Sandy Murray Memorial Award is an essay competition. The task is to write an essay, a reflective statement on whether a therapist can work online without too much compromise within and towards the therapeutic relationship? Does something need closer attention? The competition is open to Members of The Psychologists Protection Society. See below for more details.
Pictured right: 2016 Sandy Murray Memorial Award winner Laura McGuiness receives her prize from Sandy Murray’s grandson.
Who was Sandy Murray?
Sandy Murray, who passed away in 2014, was Secretary of the Psychologists Protection Society and servant to our PPS members for 40 years. The Psychologists Protection Society was formed in 1974 out of an indemnity scheme operated by the British Psychological Society.
Sandy, a Clinical Psychologist himself and one of first in the UK to establish an exclusively private practice, took over the scheme and created a new organisation, inviting his fellow professionals to join him.
Sandy made himself available to members 24/7 providing practical, sensible, in-depth advice to those in difficulties in a sympathetic and caring manner.
If a member required at phone call at 6 o’clock in the morning, Sandy was ready and waiting. If a member needed to chat face to face, Sandy was on the next train. Under Sandy’s careful stewardship, the Society grew from 200 members in 1974 to over 6000 today.
What is the prize?
The presentation of an engraved glass trophy inscribed with citation SANDY MURRAY MEMORIAL AWARD, with the winner being able to retain an engraved glass keepsake. A money prize of £500, donated by the Murray family. The winners will be named perpetually on PPS literature and online media streams.
How can I find out more?
The “Competition Rules” document contains further information about this years competition.
What is the topic?
You are asked to write an essay, a reflective statement on whether a therapist can work online without too much compromise within and towards the therapeutic relationship? Does something need closer attention? The purpose of your essay should be to educate your fellow therapists by way of analysis, implementation and evidence of good practice.
How do I enter the competition?
The Entry Form below must be completed fully and sent with your entry.
Please note: The essay competition is open to Members of The Psychologists Protection Society only. Entries must be received by PPS on or before the 31st December 2022.
Sandy Murray Memorial Award
Previous Competition Winners
2020 – Jenny Oyston – Essay title: Key strategies to avoid burnout.
2018 – Sue Lieberman – Essay title: In the relational space
2016 – Miss Laura McGuiness – Essay Title: Going it alone: Private Practice & Ethical Standards
2020 runner up
Essay Title: My experience and use of key strategies to avoid burnout as a therapeutic practitioner for safe, compassionate and effective therapy.
By Leighah Beadle-Darcy
2020 runner up
Essay Title: How the thinking I of me responds to the threat of burnout.
By Terri Michelle O Grady
