The theraputic world is a world populated by white middle class people, from initial training to the faces, and voices which gain prominence. Even embarking on therapy is so often derided as a middle class hobby, as if personal exploration, healing and growth are too esoteric or frivolous for working class people.

“Not for the likes of us“

Growing up as I did in an inner city, and very working class area of Newcastle I of course knew no one who saw a therapist but, even without ever being told it, I would have known that it was “not for the likes of us” and that anyone who saw a therapist was probably “no better than she should be“, a phrase which entire books could, and should be written on.

The policing of who therapy is for is not one-directional however. Be a working class person in a room of psychotherapists and you can feel that at any moment someone is going to berate you for using the wrong fork, and ask what you are doing there in the first place. In training I was fortunate to be one of the last cohorts to attend relatively cheap council funded counselling courses, at an HE college, where we studied alongside hairdressers and marine students. As those courses have, sadly, disappeared, the profession has become even more limited to those who can afford £1000s per term to study. This is before you even consider intersections such as race, neurostyle, disability, gender identitity, migrant status, sexuality and geographic margenlisation.

These thoughts have been circling my brain for a couple of years, and talking to other therapists, supervisees and students, I know I am not alone. This is why, starting November 13th I will be running a new group for therapists to explore all aspects of class and how it impacts our work.

What to Expect?

This is not an academic course, it is not a class about class. It is a space to bring our thoughts, concerns, insights, barriers and whole selves. Whilst it is not group supervision it is a confidential space where we can talk about the impact of class on us, on our clients, and on the theraputic relationship. It is anti oppressive, which means it is active in both recognising and dismantling oppression with a recognition of the limitations of a label which can become a shield to hide behind in avoiding critical analysis and dynamic challenge. More can be read about the principles of anti oppressive practice here.

You do not have to identify as or with any particular class to attend. Class impacts all of us, and our clients, however everyone attending has to agree to respect individual experiences and expressions of class, within the bounds of an anti oppressive approach which directly challenges the structures of power within our society.

How will the Group work?

Each session will be aiming at an hour and a half, and will include space for;

• a facilitated discussion topic
• sharing of resources
• our own questions, problems and barriers
• mutual support and community
• challenge to our own internalised oppressions
• different ways of exploring and understanding class dynamics and how they might impact therapy and therapists

The first session on November 13th will include a group agreement, and group guidelines. There is no requirement to attend every session, dropping in, and out is part of making the group accessible. However anyone attending for the first time will be sent the group guidelines in advance, and each week will begin with a brief contracting/recontracting.

You can attend by emailing northumberlandcounselling@gmail.com or via the contact form here.

Is there a Charge?

Group members will be asked if they wish to donate to the group facilitator, as all labour should be compensated. The suggested donation will be £7;50 per person, with people free, without judgement to pay more, less or nothing according to their economic privilege or oppression. Each meeting will have a facilitator, as spaces without someone to hold the boundaries are less safe for marginalised people. In the event I cannot faciliate, another group member will do do, and the donations will go to them to compensate them for their labour. Payment will be via paypal link which will be shared in the session.

When and WHere will It meet?

The group will meet on;

November 13th

November 27th

December 11th

From 3pm GMT to 4;30 GMT

Using zoom, zoom links will be sent to group members in advance

The group will then continue after the winter break, in mid January.