Values & Ethics

My therapeutic practice is underpinned by deeply held values and ethics:

We are made, and re-made, by our relationships

Gestalt for me is more than a therapeutic approach, but a way of being. I believe everyone and everything are interconnected. Despite what hurts us love is fundamental to healing and growth. Enduring change involves going deeper into our selves and accepting all that we are. Contentment comes through discovering what gives our life meaning. And, we are always a unique ‘work-in-process’.

Diversity & difference

Many of my clients experience themselves as outsiders, often in intersecting ways. My clients’ ages range from mid 20s to late 70s, and have diverse gender, sexuality, relationship, cultural, community, ethnic, spiritual, and work identities. A number of my clients are neurodivergent, some with neuroqueer identities.

I do not use labels or diagnoses unless you use them for yourself, and I oppose conversion therapy. I believe therapy should never be used to change, suppress, or ‘correct’ who someone is or wants to become.

I take responsibility to educate myself through continuous professional development and reflection; and I am committed to trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, multi-cultural, sex-positive, and queer-affirmative practices.

History & context is always present

‘Normality’ is a made up societal standard. Mental ‘ill health’ and emotional distress are systemic issues, not just personal or family ‘problems’. As such, we cannot separate ‘othering’ and trauma from systemic, environmental, and historic inequities, such as colonialism, sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, ageism, classism, or climate breakdown. I believe naming and engaging with structural inequalities is integral to healing and growth.