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 want to work more confidently with survivors.

YOUR CHANCE TO INFLUENCE PROFESSIONALS

The book proposes a new model of working with adult survivors of sexual violence that is centred on: empowerment, embodied approaches to recovery, and social justice. This is outlined via understanding the context of a global society where sexual violence occurs on a massive scale, and the impact on the individual within it.

Part of empowerment means giving space to individuals to highlight their personal experiences in managing the impact of sexual violence. To achieve this, I’m looking to interview adult survivors of any kind of sexual violence that fall under any combination of these criteria:

• Your experiences of accessing therapeutic support (even if you have tried, but never attended an appointment), and/or
• Reporting to the Police in the UK (regardless of the outcome), and/or
• Counsellors and Psychotherapists who are survivors themselves that work with sexual violence.

Your stories would be used to highlight the core themes of the textbook.

INTERVIEW DETAILS

• Interviews will be held in Leeds. Should you be unable to travel to Leeds for whatever reason, alternative arrangements will be made.
• An interpreter will be provided, if you need one.
• Your confidentiality, anonymity, and privacy will be protected.
• Reimbursement for your time, and travel will be provided.
• Care will be taken to provide emotional support as required on the day of the interview(s), with the understanding that talking about personal experiences of sexual violence is often distressing.

The interviews would be done by me and/or a colleague of mine, who is a Psychoanalyst experienced in working with survivors. As sexual violence can affect anyone, and is experienced in many forms, we are wanting to interview as diverse a group of adult survivors as possible.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME

We welcome those who identify within any gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, culture, faith, religion, spirituality, and disability.

For more information, and to request to be interviewed, please get in touch.