Jane || Rebel Therapy

My approach: 

The core values of Rebel Therapy are: self-acceptance, self-compassion, authenticity and intersectionality.

Self-acceptance: Without self-acceptance, it’s incredibly difficult to challenge self-criticism, cultivate self-compassion and prioritise our mental health and wellbeing. And for people with marginalised identities and experiences – who may have experienced rejection, hurt and even trauma as a result of who and how they are – the practice of self-acceptance can be complex, radical and transformative. With most of my clients, exploring the idea and practice of self-acceptance is a core part of our work.

Self-compassion: The world can sometimes be a hard place to be, but I believe we can make it softer for ourselves and each other through the use of self-compassion. What this means in practice is individual to each client, and can range from breathwork and other self-soothing techniques right through to boundary-setting and/or exploring our relationships with concepts like pleasure or perfection. Whatever it looks like for you, self-compassion is an incredibly powerful tool for protecting, deepening and strengthening our resilience. As Audre Lorde said: “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.”

Authenticity: As recognised by psychotherapist and author Dr. Aaron Balick, “for anyone who experiences themselves as different from conventional norms, being in a neutral therapeutic space is more likely to feel like oppression than care.” In our sessions together, I want you to feel safe and accepted enough to be yourself, and to model and collaborate in that process, that means I need to be as authentic as the context allows during our sessions too. Prioritising and celebrating authenticity also means I commit to being as inclusive and affirmative as I can in the therapeutic space.

Intersectionality: As described by educator, author and activist Kimberlé Crenshaw, who coined and popularised the term intersectionality: “Intersectionality is a lens through which you can see where power comes and collides, where it interlocks and intersects.” In my therapeutic work, an intersectional lens might mean that we acknowledge and explore the different aspects of your identity and experience, and how these elements interact in the various contexts and environments you navigate. As part of this work, we may also explore the idea of ‘minority stress’, which recognises that tension between a marginalised individual’s experience and the dominant cultural norms around them can have significant impact on both mental and physical health.

I consistently get incredible feedback for my one-to-one therapeutic work, with clients reporting feeling less isolated, afraid and overwhelmed over the course of our sessions together, and becoming more self-accepting, self-compassionate and resilient. We'll always work at your pace, exploring the material and themes you want to share. 

My background: I've been in private practice since 2019. Prior to establishing Rebel Therapy, I worked therapeutically in a school and with survivors of domestic and sexual abuse and violence. Outside the therapy room, I’m a passionate, prizewinning writer and educator, with extensive experience of working with a wide range of audiences – using creative activities and processes to build skills, awareness, confidence and resilience. I've led workshop sessions on creativity, writing and wellbeing in a range of contexts – from tiny grassroots charities to the world’s biggest arts festivals and universities. I’ve collaborated with charities including RECLAIM, 42nd Street, Walk the Plank, School’s Out, Our Room and The Proud Trust, and have a proven commitment to celebrating all voices and stories, with a focus on being accessible, supportive and inclusive.