The KCC Approach
What was KCC?
The Kensington Consultation Centre (KCC), which began in 1985, was a place where theory became practice and practice evolved theory into a synergy from which a movement emerged informed by systemic, constructionist, narrative, appreciative and communication approaches.
The KCC Approach is epitomised in this film that explores its creation and legacy…
The Kensington Consultation Centre (KCC) was established in 1985 by Peter Lang, Susan Lang and Martin Little in London. Over its life, the organisation operated from several bases, starting in Kensington and ending at Wyvil Court in Vauxhall.
A hallmark of KCC was that significant relationships and partnerships were forged with systemic colleagues internationally. KCC formally ended as an organisation in April 2010 due to financial difficulties.
The KCC Approach is epitomised in this film that explores its creation and legacy…
Who was KCC?
At the centre of this movement were Peter Lang, Susan Lang and Martin Little. The 3 symbolised systemic theory and practice in their ability to be attuned to each other. Each brought their own strengths and abilities which expanded into a reach of new thought through dialogical conversations. With a culture of openness, curiosity, of making links and connections, of welcome to strangers.
If you could be transported to the Kensington Consultation Centre, some of the people who you might see having a coffee with students, engaging in laughter and play and a mutuality of learning. Teaching was always taking place, learning being in each moment, in the process of relationship. A subversion of power would often take place, where the teacher was each person present, and the learning mutual. A blending in which the relational interactions gave life to whole new ways of being human and relating together.
As you entered the Centre, you might have met Elspeth McAdam, Vernon Cronen, Eduardo Villar, Soren Herts, Ulla Hansson, Janine Roberts, Peter Stratton, Humberto Maturana, John Shotter, Barnett Pearce, Helga Hanks, Simon Burton, Kyriaki Polychroni, Tom Andersen, Penny Penn, Luigi Boscolo, Gianfranco Cecchin, John Burnham, David Cooper, Karl Tomm, Michael White, David Cooperrider, and Von Foerster.
You may have also met Eleanor Anderson, Chris Hannah, Glenda Fredman, Karen Partridge, Gail Simon, Kiri Summers, and others who are the Friends of KCC.
A living, lasting, legacy
This website is the past in the present and a sense of cultural memory from which what has been started continues to evolve in the ongoing, such as Language and Meaning in Therapy, Future Dreams in Present Living, the Coordinated Management of Meaning and Circular Questions, Systemic Story Creating, Appreciative Inquiry.
These are the KCC echoes in different types of rooms, such as prisons, schools, homes, therapy rooms and the small spaces in-between from which what was crafted takes shape and makes the world of difference.
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