INCLUSIVE AND AFFIRMATIVE COUNSELLING IN BIRMINGHAM AND ONLINE
How I Work
I offer a warm but practical way of being as a counsellor and psychotherapist. My training is in integrative psychotherapy which means I study different types of therapy and have formed an approach which enables individual tailoring to your needs and therapeutic goals. At the core of my training and approach is Gestalt which focuses on awareness and what happens in the current moment (here and now). Gestalt therapy also emphasises our link to the conditions we exist in ('the field') which is affirming and useful when exploring issues related to identity that have been influenced by society. I also integrate psychodynamic therapy which looks at how our past and in particular our childhoods influence our current ways of being as well as some CBT which offers practical ways of coping with the world.
I work relationally which means I place emphasis on the therapeutic relationship and what happens between us. I am particularly interested in somatic experiences and an embodied approach to therapy. I work in a way that is LGBTQ+ affirmative, intersectional and inclusive. I work in a way that is affirmative and educated around the sex worker and kink community.
Motivations and Values
I believe therapy and counselling can be transformational and I am motivated by a desire to help individuals reach their unique potential and position in life. I believe in the healing power of the therapeutic relationship and how having the space to show up as your true self can help you navigate the complexities of the world we live in.
The values I hold close to me that I try to embody in my everyday life and therapeutic practice are:
Acceptance
It is sometimes rare in life that we experience true acceptance and non-judgement, especially for those from marginalised identities. I strive to provide an open space full of acceptance and non-judgement.
Curiosity
I enjoy learning about people’s stories and how they understand and view the world. I believe everyone has a highly unique way of viewing the world and I seek to understand your individual perspective as much as possible.
Inclusivity
As a white trans queer man I aim to recognise as much as possible my own positionality and privilege within the therapeutic dynamic. I value the importance of identity and cultural background and how this can contribute to mental health and wellbeing.
