How I work

The core values of Rebel Therapy are: self-acceptance, self-compassion, authenticity and intersectionality.

Self-acceptance: Without self-acceptance, it’s incredibly difficult to challenge self-criticism, cultivate self-compassion and prioritise our mental health and wellbeing. And for people with marginalised identities and experiences – who may have experienced rejection, hurt and even trauma as a result of who and how they are – the practice of self-acceptance can be complex, radical and transformative. With most of my clients, exploring the idea and practice of self-acceptance is a core part of our work.

Self-compassion: The world can sometimes be a hard place to be, but I believe we can make it softer for ourselves and each other through the use of self-compassion. What this means in practice is individual to each client, and can range from breathwork and other self-soothing techniques right through to boundary-setting and/or exploring our relationships with concepts like pleasure or perfection. Whatever it looks like for you, self-compassion is an incredibly powerful tool for protecting, deepening and strengthening our resilience. As Audre Lorde said: “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.”

Authenticity: As recognised by psychotherapist and author Dr. Aaron Balick, “for anyone who experiences themselves as different from conventional norms, being in a neutral therapeutic space is more likely to feel like oppression than care.” In our sessions together, I want you to feel safe and accepted enough to be yourself, and to model and collaborate in that process, that means I need to be as authentic as the context allows during our sessions too. Prioritising and celebrating authenticity also means I commit to being as inclusive and affirmative as I can in the therapeutic space.

Intersectionality: As described by educator, author and activist Kimberlé Crenshaw, who coined and popularised the term intersectionality: “Intersectionality is a lens through which you can see where power comes and collides, where it interlocks and intersects.” In my therapeutic work, an intersectional lens might mean that we acknowledge and explore the different aspects of your identity and experience, and how these elements interact in the various contexts and environments you navigate. As part of this work, we may also explore the idea of ‘minority stress’, which recognises that tension between a marginalised individual’s experience and the dominant cultural norms around them can have significant impact on both mental and physical health.

Modalities and approach

At the core of my approach are: Person-Centred Therapy (PCT); Transactional Analysis (TA); and Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

PCT is the foundation to how I work, and involves building an unconditionally empathic, accepting and non-judgemental space where you can share whatever you want or need to, and feel safe, supported and empowered while doing so.

TA explores patterns in our interpersonal relationships, and looks at how what we believe about ourselves, other people and the world may be consciously and unconsciously informed and influenced by our early experiences. I find building self-understanding by exploring these areas often leads to greater self-acceptance and self-compassion.

CBT explores patterns in our thoughts, feelings and behaviour, looking at when, how and why those patterns might have originated. As with TA, I believe expanding our self-understanding through this sort of reflection is the key to change.

Another aspect of how I work is embodiment: as recognised by researcher and author Bessel van der Kolk and numerous other incredible practitioners, we know that ‘the body keeps the score.’ That is, that our bodies are often deeply affected by stress, anxiety, trauma and other mental health issues. As part of our work together, I may ask you about your embodied experience, such as where in your body you feel tension or emotion. This is a hands-off practice and consent is key: you will only ever be expected to share as much or as little as feels right for you.

Another approach I use with some clients is Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT, sometimes called tapping), which is what it sounds like: a technique that involves tapping on specific points on the body to support stabilising and processing of certain sensations, thoughts, emotions, beliefs or memories. Again, this is hands-off, consent-led and all touch is self-directed (you’ll be tapping on your own face and body following my lead). You can find more information about EFT here.

I will only ever use embodiment and EFT approaches when we have talked about them and you’ve given me the go-ahead. I recognise even the idea of approaches like this might be vulnerable and potentially even frightening or retraumatising for some clients, which is why informed consent is so important. Use of these approaches do not have to be part of our work together and if you have any questions or concerns about them, we can chat those through during our initial consultation or at any point during sessions if we do decide to work together.

My Background

My background involves using creative writing, storytelling and performance to empower people of all ages and backgrounds to explore and tell their stories. Outside the therapy room, I’m a published, prizewinning writer and performer with extensive experience of working with a wide range of audiences – using creative activities and processes to build skills, awareness, confidence and resilience.

I am a passionate educator, leading workshop sessions on creativity, writing and wellbeing in a range of contexts – from tiny grassroots charities to the world’s biggest arts festivals and universities. I’ve collaborated with charities including RECLAIM, 42nd Street, Walk the Plank, School’s Out, The Men’s Room and The Proud Trust, and have a proven commitment to celebrating all voices and stories, with a focus on being accessible, supportive and inclusive.

As well as past experience of working as a therapist in women’s centres, schools and other settings, I’ve worked in and been a member of my local queer, arts and activist communities for many years, so I know first-hand how these sorts of identities and commitments can cause questions, conflicts, uncertainties and insecurities, or amplify other issues you might be struggling with.

I consistently get incredible feedback for my one-to-one therapeutic work, with clients reporting feeling less isolated, afraid and overwhelmed over the course of our sessions together, and becoming more self-accepting, self-compassionate and resilient.