Gaining an understanding and acknowledgement of the difference and diversity of my clients is an important part of my work as a therapist.  

My journey to therapy…

I decided to train as a therapist while volunteering as a listening volunteer at Switchboard.  Working with other LGBT+ people and listening to the experiences of the callers to the helpline really resonated with me.  I initially became a Trustee of the charity alongside my ‘listening’ responsibilities - it was an amazing opportunity to work with others to improve and strengthen the charity.  

I decided to volunteer at Switchboard as a way to build additional skills and gain new experiences.  At the time, my day job was working in the HR function for a large government department.  On paper I was well placed to use the skills and experience I had built up in that role.  The work I did at Switchboard however helped me realise that while I could work in the corporate and operational environments, I didn’t have the connection with as I did when I spoke with callers to the helpline.

Volunteering through COVID when there were many in the communities isolated from their usual support networks was a privilege and demonstrated the importance of connections and relationships to us all.  

The experiences at Switchboard also reminded me of the work I undertook previously in a community cultural/religious charity; I saw the challenges of indifference and hostility that some individuals and communities face - and I saw the value in working with others to empower them and support them in their journeys.  

While training as a therapist, I volunteered at two low cost therapy agencies - Headstrong Hackney and the Camden Listening and Counselling Service - supporting individuals from a wide range of backgrounds.

My work with clients…

I take a systemic approach when working with clients - particularly, during the initial stages of therapy.  I feel it’s important to begin a process of exploration where a discussion takes place about the culture and environment that my clients live in.  

It can involve identifying patterns of behaviour - and understanding how your processes and actions may have been shaped by the systems you live in.  

Sometimes we can find ourselves trapped in relationships or spaces that don’t serve us any more.  Some find the uncomfortableness overwhelming and have difficulties in identifying what is wrong.  Therapy provides an opportunity to explore these  feelings and thoughts and to consider what you want to do next.   

Authenticity is important…

I believe that we all have a desire to belong to something bigger than ourselves - whether that’s our family and friends, our workplace or community.  And sometimes we can belong and be ourselves.  But sometimes that’s not always possible.  

Questioning yourself and your very right to be present and exist can have a negative impact on mental, spiritual and physical health - and it’s often overlooked 

Being different in any way - whether that is related to culture, class, ethnicity, gender, sexuality -  anything really - can be an amazing journey of self-discovery.  Being 'othered'; not being seen, heard or listened to; not feeling that you are represented or that you belong - can leave one searching to belong.