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 […]
Psychological Wellbeing of British Gay Pakistani Muslim Males
Psychological Wellbeing of British Gay Pakistani Muslim Males… The article below provides some important information on the experiences of British, Gay, Pakistani, Muslim Males (BGPMM) in various social contexts, with regard to how their multi-identities interact. The research author, Muhammed Ali discusses his own position to the research, as well as it’s implications. “I wish I […]
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 […]
How I Got Started as a Psychotherapist
How did I get started as a psychotherapist? My start as a psychotherapist came from being interested in people and wanting to understand them. I was a bit of a book nerd and reading Freud on holiday when I was 15 (!) so I never considered anything but working in mental health as a career. […]
My Book Has Arrived
My book has arrived! Very excited to let you know that the past ten years of my psychotherapeutic work with survivors of sexual violence is now in book form. ‘Psychotherapy with Survivors of Sexual Violence: Inside and Outside the Room’ covers this issue from a gender-neutral and empowerment-based perspective. The book includes case studies, and […]
When Trauma Re-surfaces
When trauma re-surfaces… There are a lot of myths about trauma, one of which is that you process what happened straight away and that you can process it quickly. For some people this is true, but for others the impact of trauma can push to the front of your daily life at unexpected times, in […]
When We Meet
When we meet… When I start working with someone new, I’m aware that I may be the latest therapist in a line of therapists they have seen. Or I might be the first. In any case, we have met at a specific point in a client’s life, series of life experiences, and mental health history. […]
Re-empowerment After Experiencing Trauma
Re-empowerment after experiencing trauma… 1 in 3 adults in England have experienced some form of traumatic event. So how do we make sense of trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder? My approach considers an individual’s subjective experience alongside our mental health system that aims to recognise and treat these from an objective perspective. These two perspectives […]