The #TherapistsConnect Podcast

In this episode titled "Principles and Values," Dr Peter Blundell and Caz Binstead, co-leads of #TherapistsConnect, discuss the facilitation of their online therapist community. They delve into the importance of creating safer spaces for therapists online, emphasizing anti-oppressive practices essential for fostering an inclusive and supportive environment. The conversation explores the core values that underpin these safer spaces, such as respect, confidentiality, and empathy. Additionally, they address the risks and challenges associated with developing a public community, particularly concerning the vulnerability of sharing personal aspects online. This episode provides valuable insights into building a robust, ethical, and safe online community for therapists.

Unfortunately, we experienced minor coverage issues during this recording, leading to some lost material. This included Peter and Caz referencing their work towards two papers about #TherapistsConnect in general, and, our student community, #TraineeTalk. This was in the context of a discussion about the importance of documenting the hard work undertaken by our platform over the last few years.

The book referred to in the podcast is The Handbook of Social Justice in Psychological Therapies: Power, Politics, Change (Winter & Charura, 2023).

To find out more about the work of #TherapistsConnect search for us on the usual social media platforms, or have a look at our website - www.Therapists-Connect.com

You can find out more about Peter's work via his website.

You can find out more about Caz’s work on their professional website.

Send us a text

#TherapistsConnect is a platform for connecting therapists.
Website: www.Therapists-Connect.com
Twitter: @Therapists_C
Instagram: @TherapistsConnect
Facebook: @TherConnect

Origins of #TherapistsConnect

In this episode of the #TherapistsConnect podcast Dr Peter Blundell interviews Chloe Foster. 

Chloe Foster runs Sussex Rainbow Counselling, a service that specialises in providing support and therapy to the LGBTQ+ community. Her practice focuses on creating a safe, inclusive, and non-judgmental environment for individuals seeking help with issues such as gender identity, sexual orientation, relationship problems, and mental health challenges. Chloe Foster's approach is compassionate and tailored to the unique needs of each client. 

The email counselling service offered by Sussex Rainbow Counselling allows clients to receive support and guidance through written communication. This service is particularly useful for those who prefer the convenience and privacy of remote support. It enables clients to express their thoughts and feelings in writing and receive thoughtful, professional and reflexive responses from Chloe. For more information listen to the episode and access Chloe's book details below. 

For more detailed information or to contact Chloe Foster, visit the Sussex Rainbow Counselling website or their Email Counselling Academy.

Chloe's Website - https://www.sussexrainbowcounselling.com/
Email Counselling Academy (and e-book) - https://www.emailcounsellingacademy.com/product-page/ebook

Links for Peter
Social Media: @drpeterblundell
Website: www.peterblundell.com

Send us a text

#TherapistsConnect is a platform for connecting therapists.
Website: www.Therapists-Connect.com
Twitter: @Therapists_C
Instagram: @TherapistsConnect
Facebook: @TherConnect

Origins of #TherapistsConnect

In this episode of the #TherapistsConnect podcast, Dr Peter Blundell interviews  Tom Smithson.  Tom set up New Horizon counselling in 2018. He's a BACP registered therapist supervisor, and tutor with many years of extensive therapeutic experience. He's provided over 5,000 hours of clinical counselling and psychotherapy to adult clients. And he specializes in working with people from the LGBTQIA-plus community. And he's also writing a book about his work, which he tells us about in this episode.

Links for Tom
Weblinks: - https://linktr.ee/NewHorizonCounselling
Instagram - @newhcounselling

Links for Peter
Social Media: @drpeterblundell
Website: www.peterblundell.com 

Send us a text

#TherapistsConnect is a platform for connecting therapists.
Website: www.Therapists-Connect.com
Twitter: @Therapists_C
Instagram: @TherapistsConnect
Facebook: @TherConnect

Origins of #TherapistsConnect

This episode focuses on therapists' experiences of silence in counselling and psychotherapy. You can find more details about the guests below, or listen to the episode of the #TherapistsConnect podcast where they are featured.

Sam Hope is an experienced trainer who has been working in EDI/Anti-oppressive practice for over a decade. The majority of Sam’s clients are members of the queer/LGBTQA+ community. Sam’s book Person Centred Counselling for Trans and Gender Diverse People is available from Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Sam is trans, queer, ace and non-binary themself as well as autistic, ADHD, and mobility impaired. 

Sara Mathews is a Senior Accredited counsellor registered with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). She is a qualified Counselling Supervisor and Trainer. Sara headed up bereavement services in the voluntary sector for many years before setting up her Bereavement Counselling practice. 

 Dianne Sotomey is the bestselling author of her new book “Check Your Thoughts! Your Life Depends on It”! - How your thoughts shape your everyday life and who you become. She is also a UKCP-registered psychotherapist, clinical supervisor and trainer. Dianne is a visiting tutor at the TA East Institute for Psychotherapy and Counselling and currently resides in the tranquil countryside of Suffolk, England.

 Maxine Walsh has been a counsellor and psychotherapist for 11 years with four years of experience in private practice. 

Dr Fraser Smith is a chartered psychologist registered with the HCPC and BPS with years of experience and training working within therapy.

William Pullen is a qualified psychotherapist registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).  William has a book and an app that explores the relationship between running and therapy.

Maria Sorokopud is an experienced GP who specialises in Gastroenterology and is a Transactional Analysis Psychotherapist.

Rachel Jane Cooke (she/they) is a queer, integrative psychotherapist, supervisor and educator from Ireland, in practice since 2009.

Dr Peter Blundell (he/him/his) is an academic, researcher, lecturer, trainer, and consultant.  He is a counsellor/psychotherapist, a social worker, and a senior lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University.

Send us a text

#TherapistsConnect is a platform for connecting therapists.
Website: www.Therapists-Connect.com
Twitter: @Therapists_C
Instagram: @TherapistsConnect
Facebook: @TherConnect

Origins of #TherapistsConnect

In this event, Caz Binstead chairs a discussion with Neelam Zahid and Rachel Cooke about editing and contributing to the book 'Therapists Challenging Racism and Oppression: The unheard voices'.

Send us a text

#TherapistsConnect is a platform for connecting therapists.
Website: www.Therapists-Connect.com
Twitter: @Therapists_C
Instagram: @TherapistsConnect
Facebook: @TherConnect

Origins of #TherapistsConnect

In this episode, Dr Peter Blundell interviews Ellis J. Johnson.

Ellis is a qualified Psychodynamic Psychotherapeutic Counsellor and a queer, trans man of colour. He delivers training to counsellors in working affirmatively around gender and also delivers training in trans awareness, and anti-racist practice, to organisations around the country and internationally. Ellis describes his work as "explorative and largely non-directive" and influenced by spirituality and by Black feminism, taking into account how intersecting oppressive structures in society (and throughout history) can harm our mental, spiritual and physical health. His work is affirmative of gender, sexuality and relationship diversity (e.g. non-monogamy, poly, kink), as well as being sex-worker affirmative.

You can find details on Eliss' work on his website - https://www.transcounselling.co.uk/ 
To find out more about the training he delivers go here - https://www.transcounselling.co.uk/general-5

Dr Peter Blundell's details
Social Media: @drpeterblundell
Website: www.peterblundell.com 

Send us a text

#TherapistsConnect is a platform for connecting therapists.
Website: www.Therapists-Connect.com
Twitter: @Therapists_C
Instagram: @TherapistsConnect
Facebook: @TherConnect

Origins of #TherapistsConnect

Sam Hope is an experienced trainer who has been working in EDI/Anti-oppressive practice for over a decade. Sam mainly works in the third sector, education and offering CPD to therapists as well as being a visiting lecturer on several therapist training programmes in the UK. Sam’s background is as an accredited, person-centred therapist with specialisms in trauma, anti-oppressive practice and working with diversity. Sam previously worked in education settings and organisations supporting victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse, but now works as a therapist in private practice alongside their training work. The majority of Sam’s clients are members of the queer/LGBTQA+ community, with a particular focus of their work being multiply marginalised people, including trans, disabled and neurodivergent people.

Sam’s book Person Centred Counselling for Trans and Gender Diverse People is available from Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Sam is trans, queer, ace and non-binary themself as well as autistic, ADHD, and mobility impaired. Sam has been actively involved in community organising and facilitation of supportive LGBTQA+ spaces as well as advocacy work and consultancy.

Sam's website: https://sam-hope.co.uk/about-the-trainer/

Peter's details
Website: www.peterblundell.com
Social Media: @drpeterblundell 

Send us a text

#TherapistsConnect is a platform for connecting therapists.
Website: www.Therapists-Connect.com
Twitter: @Therapists_C
Instagram: @TherapistsConnect
Facebook: @TherConnect

Origins of #TherapistsConnect

In this brief episode, Dr Peter Blundell shares the details of the # TherapistsConnect's fourth birthday events on 6th January 2024. 

Watch all the interviews and discussions via the #TherapistsConnect YouTube account after this date. 

Send us a text

#TherapistsConnect is a platform for connecting therapists.
Website: www.Therapists-Connect.com
Twitter: @Therapists_C
Instagram: @TherapistsConnect
Facebook: @TherConnect

Origins of #TherapistsConnect

In this episode, Dr. Peter Blundell interviews Dr. Mish Seabrook about her life and work.

Dr Mish offers therapy, supervision, training, and consultancy and now adds coaching to her skills in serving others. She is BACP registered & accredited. She has worked in the helping professions since the late 1990s, including roles in prisons, probation, mental health charities and the therapeutic world. She has a special interest in supervision and resilience. She founded the Supervision Institute - where she shares knowledge and offers CPD and support about supervision. Plus, Dr Mish continues with her therapeutic work and alongside this offers therapeutically-informed coaching to women in business/entrepreneurs who 'struggle with the juggle' of their work/home/life commitments. 


Mish's Details
Website: www.michelleseabrook.co.uk
Social Media - search for "Dr Mish"
Supervision Institute: www.supervisioninstitute.com

Peter's Details
Website: www.peterblundell.com
Social Media: @drpeterblundell

Send us a text

#TherapistsConnect is a platform for connecting therapists.
Website: www.Therapists-Connect.com
Twitter: @Therapists_C
Instagram: @TherapistsConnect
Facebook: @TherConnect

Origins of #TherapistsConnect

In this episode, Dr. Peter Blundell interviews Maxine Walsh. 

Maxine has been a counsellor and psychotherapist for 11 years with four years of experience in private practice. After leaving school she went on to study information technology which led to a 15-year career in IT support for several multinational corporations. This gave her a chance to travel extensively around Europe.  Maxine then returned to college as a mature student to follow her dream of running her own business as a mental health professional. She has been accredited by the Irish Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists since 2019. Maxine is also one of the #TherapistsConnect volunteers and runs our Twitter/X account on a Monday.

Maxine's Details
Website: https://www.adharacounselling.com/
Twitter/X: @adharadublin

Peter's Details
Website: www.peterblundell.com
Social Media: @drpeterblundell

Send us a text

#TherapistsConnect is a platform for connecting therapists.
Website: www.Therapists-Connect.com
Twitter: @Therapists_C
Instagram: @TherapistsConnect
Facebook: @TherConnect

Origins of #TherapistsConnect