Diversity Statement
I am a white, cis gender, able-bodied, neurodiverse, Cornish, agnostic, hetero male. I grew up benefit class, and the higher levels of social and cultural capital enabled me to climb.
My identity, particularly my white-maleness, and my role as therapist, holds privilege. Doors are open to me that I still probably don’t even realise are stuck or closed to others. The intersections of my identity represents many things to many people, but let’s be honest, whiteness, and particularly male dominated systems, have been and continue to be a major force of oppression.
“There is no clean, comfortable, or convenient way to dismantle a violent system of oppression. You (I) must roll up your (my) sleeves, and get down into the ugly, fertile dirt” -Layla Saad, Me and White Supremacy.
Equality
Diversity
Inclusion
Alongside my gender and racial privileges, I also grew up being chronically othered, bullied, stereotyped, and singled out for my bright ginger hair. I grew up watching direct family members navigating the unequal injustices that still go hand in hand with physical and psychological disabilities and sensory impairments. I say this not for performative proximal allyship, or to centre the conversation around me, and I’m not equating my gingerness with systemic oppression faced by BIPOC people. I say this to demonstrate that my experiences have served to develop my awareness, fuel my willingness, and hone empathy in alliance with people who navigate the world experiencing differences.
EDI in Practice
Systems of power are affecting wellbeing and our lives. We do not live in a vacuum. The act of therapy is fundamentally political, as it works in, around, against, the power systems people face.
I want my therapy practice to be a part of the journey of dismantling the systems that uphold the inequalities that keep people stuck. I believe that happens through a combination of therapist's continuing to do their own inner work, and changing their behaviour in the world.
Unlearning
For me, this means a lifelong practice of going inwards and examining my unconscious bias, conditioning, attitudes, reactions, and projections onto others. This is about dismantling the legacy burden’s that are still present from our collective histories. This is the private, ugly, shadowy, vulnerable work to open into, but necessary to truly have my heart and ears open to others. I do this in my ongoing personal therapy, and weekly process group.
Learning
I recognise that there has been is a major dominance of the white able-bodied voices in my therapy journey so far. I need to redress this. This looks like me seeking out BIPOC voices in my CPD, reading and podcasts. This is about seeking out leaders, teachers, and trainings that are outside the bubble of mental health as a white western-centric enterprise. Next up on my reading list is My Grandmother's Hands, by Resmaa Menakem.
Practicing
​​• Just because I have had my experiences, does not mean I automatically or fully understand yours. I probably don’t. But I am open to see the world from your perspective.
​
• I am still an incomplete human, and at times I will get it wrong, especially around EDI. I pledge to focus on the impact of any mistake, not get entrenched in justifying my well-meant intention.
​
• I have learnt that real allyship means confronting the fact that if the situation is really going to change, those who hold privilege need to let go of some or most of it. Engaging in private therapy is a privileged endeavor in itself, too expensive for many. Private therapists must somehow reconcile making a living whilst effectively excluding those who cannot afford access. It is a small amount, but I offer a reduced rate of £50 a session if finance is a barrier. Email me if this is of interest to you.
"To learn and unlearn, to connect and create, to labor and to love in ways that will enable this salvation – this collective liberation where everyone thrives with access to resources, with agency and no fear of violence, with the right to rest and play and create free from exploitation, – requires spiritually laboring today.” - Enfleshed, Collective Liberation
Updated March 2025​