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. […]
Perspectives on Intersectionality
Perspectives on Intersectionality… I’m delighted to be selected by Inspiring Women Changemakers to be the recipient of their Bernadette Mary Speight award in their Igniting Inspiration campaign. I spoke with Inspiring Women Changemakers recently about my thoughts on intersectionality, and my work with survivors of sexual violence and marginalised people. I felt it was important to highlight […]
Gender, Sex, and Relationship Diversity
Gender, sex, and relationship diversity… The mental health system has a legacy of pathologising and attacking those who are not heterosexual and/or cisgender. Over the years I have shaped my work to actively include LGBTQ+ people, knowing that safe access to mental health care should be offered to all. As psychotherapists we are tasked with […]
Meeting A Survivor Where They Are
Meeting a survivor where they are… Psychotherapists are offered an insight into a survivor’s life at the point they meet, as well as making contact with their past. The impact of barriers to accessing specialist support (waiting times, funding or lack thereof, practical accessibility needs, the impact of blame/shame/guilt, etc.) should form part of the […]
Stigma Around Stress
Stigma around stress… There are a lot of ways we negatively internalise our stress responses. Examples I hear are: ‘I think I’ve got bipolar because my moods change so much.’ ‘I feel like I should be able to cope better, people go through much worse than this.’ ‘Some days I can’t get out of bed […]
Stress Responses to Traumatic Experiences
Stress responses to traumatic experiences… I recently ran a closed online workshop on the topic of ‘Finding Your Identity Amongst Trauma’, for female survivors of abuse. I really enjoyed meeting them and holding some space for support, solidarity, and whatever else was needed. Part of the workshop included providing information on the neurophysiology of trauma, […]
Therapy as a Safe Space
Therapy as a ‘safe space’… As therapists we aim to provide a safe space for people to speak freely, without fear of judgement or shame. I think the physical spaces we offer can help or hinder this, because as humans we’re built to unconsciously scan our environment for threats too. I never refer to what […]
Finding the Person Amongst Their Mental Health
Finding the person amongst their mental health… Where our lived experience of mental health difficulties sits within our sense of self and personal identity varies from person to person. Some people have a positive connection to their mental health even if they’ve struggled with it, making meaning out of their lived experiences to enhance their […]
Support Services for Survivors
Support Services for Survivors… It’s important to recognise that the impact of sexual violence can be as varied as each survivor who experiences it. I’d like to #ShoutOutForSurvivors who have specific experiences and/or parts of their identity that need to be included in the support received, when they’re ready to receive it. Revenge Porn Helpline […]