How to respond when someone tells you they’ve experienced sexual abuse… Thank them for telling you Disclosure is not an easy thing to do. Saying ‘thank you’ actively recognises the huge step someone has taken to ask for help, and acknowledges what they’ve been through. Listen with empathy & without critique We’ve all […]
Mental Health In Context
Mental health in context… It’s impossible to work with mental health as something that’s purely in our minds, especially in the current socio-political climate. If I’m asked ‘What’s the hardest thing about your job?’ it’s coming up against systemic oppression, disempowerment, and inequality. It is difficult to maintain a state of good mental health (whatever […]
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. […]
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 […]
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, […]