07504 932257 | 
ERENE@THERAPY-LEEDS.CO.UK
A note on language: the terms ‘sexual violence’, and ‘sexual abuse’ are used interchangeably in this blog. They are intended to reflect the wide range of ways that a person can be affected by non-consensual sexual contact. By its very nature, sexual abuse forces individuals to inhabit smaller spaces within themselves, their relationships, and the […]
A Response to Weinstein’s Lawyer
Trigger warning: several versions of sexual violence discussed in some detail. A note on language: the range of words used to refer to different types of sexual violence are used interchangeably to denote the many ways someone can experience it. ‘Asked whether she had herself ever been sexually assaulted, she replied, to the astonishment of […]
Psychotherapists and Counsellors: Do You Work With Survivors of Sexual Violence Pre-Trial?
‘Pre-trial therapy’ is the term given to survivors of sexual violence in the UK that have reported to the Police about their experiences, and are making use of talking therapy at the same time. This includes being at any stage of the criminal justice system from reporting, to investigations, to a trial. This term is […]
Call for Survivors of Sexual Violence: Do You Want to Share Your Experiences?
Every Psychotherapist, and Counsellor will work with survivors of sexual violence. My belief is that these professionals should be influenced by survivors, so that we can better meet their needs in our work. Currently I’m in the process of writing a professional textbook on this subject (due 2021) which will enable trainee/qualified Psychotherapists, and Counsellors who […]
The Climate Crisis in Psychotherapy
People generally imagine a Psychotherapist or Counsellor as someone who sits quietly. This might involve them being silent for long periods of time, as they take in whatever their client is bringing that week. Often, this imagined idea translates into one of the myths I hear most often when I tell people what my job […]
How Many Appointments Will I Need?
One question that almost always gets asked when I meet a new client is ‘How many appointments will I need?’. There are lots of different motivations for asking this question all rooted in the emotions of starting counselling or psychotherapy, such as anxiety, uncertainty, and urgency. It can also be a practical question as working with […]
Queering Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy and counselling are supposed to provide a safe space for people to explore what they really think and feel, especially around the things they struggle with. But what if this isn’t as easy as it sounds? My experience in working with people who identify under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella is that they have to choose […]
Feminist Identity and Sexual Violence
Content warning: sexual violence, abuse. ‘On some days I know it wasn’t my fault, but if I’d gone straight home that night instead of staying out then it wouldn’t have happened’. As a Psychotherapist specialising in the impact of sexual abuse, I see this emotionally-laden back and forth with all of my clients coming for […]
When Words Fail: Communicating In Talking Therapy
The simplest way to describe my job is to say the following: that counselling and psychotherapy are types of talking therapies to help people improve their mental health. But ‘simple’ doesn’t always accurately reflect the difficulties people bring, nor what needs to be done to help people feel more well and functional in their everyday […]
Psychotherapy & Counselling: All You Need to Know
Seeing a Psychotherapist or Counsellor can feel very daunting. There are a series of steps people take before they find themselves in front of a professional, and sometimes those steps have been taken over and over again before someone feels supported in the right way. When I see a new client for the first time, […]