As we reached September 2023, I realised I was coming up to my thirteenth year of seeing clients. Summarising the numbers wouldn’t capture the experience of doing this work with so many people in so many places. They would also overlook the reality of what it’s like to deliver psychotherapeutic support in our societal context, […]
Starting Supervision Training
Ethically, all Counsellors and Psychotherapists are required to have regular clinical supervision alongside seeing clients, no matter where they work. Supervision is a confidential space where therapists can discuss and explore their work, with the focus being on the therapist’s responses, interventions, and internal process. I’ve found supervision can be invaluable as a safe […]
Hearing from Survivors of Sexual Violence
When writing my book it was important to make space for survivors’ experiences of accessing therapy and reporting to the police (in the UK). Early on I decided to include interviews as part of putting the manuscript together, which a colleague helped me with. Sharing Lived Experience There are quotes throughout from people who […]
Women and Depression
Due to hormones and the complex nature of women’s bodies, they face many issues from childhood to old age. Men don’t have to face even 10 percent of women’s problems. Women have been treated as a weak section of society and denied equal rights for ages. Women have complex bodies, and they experience frequent changes […]
What Is Therapy? (3/3)
What is therapy (3/3)… Therapy can bring up some uncertainties. Here are some common questions to help understand what to expect: *Is my therapist a friend? There is a psychological closeness we might experience with a therapist, which often comes from feeling listened to, understood, and supported. This might feel like a friendship, or being […]
What Is Therapy? (2/3)
What is therapy (2/3)… Therapy can be a confusing experience. Here are some common questions to help you understand what to expect: *How much should I/my therapist be talking? There is no ‘right way’ for you to talk in therapy. Everyone processes information differently, has varying levels of comfort/stress when speaking with others, and communicates […]
What Is Therapy? (1/3)
What is therapy (1/3)… Therapy can be a confusing experience. From trying to access support, finding the right service/person to suit you, and to actually doing the work, there are many questions that come up. Here are some common ones: *What is therapy? Psychotherapy and counselling are types of talking therapy which can help you […]
Boundaries in Psychotherapy
Boundaries in psychotherapy… When I’m working with someone I never assume that the way I relate to others, process information, and communicate will be the same for the person on the other side of the room/on my screen. First and foremost, I’m there to support their mental health and this must be done in a […]
Anti-Oppressive Practice
Anti-oppressive practice… By its very nature, psychotherapy risks being disempowering even before you enter the room (or Zoom call). Therapists often only consider what happens in appointments to try and mitigate this risk, but there are many contact points whilst navigating the mental health system where this can happen too. For example: 1. It can […]
What are trauma and PTSD
What are trauma and PTSD… It can be confusing and distressing to not have a name for what you’re experiencing mentally and physically. ‘Post-traumatic stress disorder’ (PTSD) is a medical, diagnostic term for the range of: behaviours, psychological and somatic reactions, and relational difficulties that may be experienced in the aftermath of a traumatic event. […]