Nathan Jenkins (E17 Walthamstow)

Queer Affirmative therapy I am queer affirmative, so my position is that your sexuality and gender identity is as unique as you are and is something to be cherished. Struggles around our identity and desires can be challenging and painful and the world can unfortunately be an isolating and shaming environment to be a part of. As a result of growing up in these sometimes hostile surroundings, a range of difficulties can develop later in life such as: difficulties in relating and forming nourishing relationships, feeling isolated and not belonging, feeling shame around aspects of yourself, or a reliance on alcohol and drugs to just be with yourself and others.    Kink-aware therapy The world of kink and bdsm has often been pathologised in more traditional forms of therapy. I believe that taking the default stance of viewing kinks or fetishes as a signal of something that has gone wrong is not only obsolete, but incorrect, damaging and shaming. The kink world is not without its complexities and risks, but your desires and journey with kink give an insight into who you are as a person, maybe even who you want to be. Our sessions can be a place where you can openly explore and be curious about your kink identity, or simply be safe in the knowledge that this aspect of you will not be pathologised or unnecessarily focused on.   Relationship diversity My practice is poly-aware and sex-positive. Therapy has typically focussed on the dual relationship, rather than other relationship constellations. An example of this is therapy itself, a focus on the client-therapist 2 person relationship. I am a poly-aware therapist, familiar with the spectrum of non-monogamous relationships. Sex positivity holds strong the knowledge that your sexual desires and ways of having (or wanting to have) sex can be a joyous exploration and way of growth. Societal shame around sex has thrown many obstacles in this course, and we unfortunately absorb and internalise some of that shame into our sex and relationships. Sadly, our story of sex is often not one of joy but of struggle, confusion and pain. Difficult and traumatic sexual experiences can hold power over the present and be an obstacle in how you form sexual and loving relationships. I believe that the therapeutic relationship can be an opportunity to heal and to grow into who you really are.   Grief & loss Loss is an inevitable part of being alive and has a huge impact on all of us. When you lose someone close to you, even though you have an awareness that grief can be a battle, your own grief can be startlingly unfamiliar and scary. It can be alarming to see yourself suddenly not be able to cope with everyday activities, or lose meaning in what used to give you so much joy. The loss of someone can even bring back previous losses that occurred many year ago, losses that you thought had settled and been put to rest.  As much as bereavement happens to people all the time, you may feel lonely in your grief. Others around you may not know what to say or what to do. Your work and family commitments may now be at odds with how you feel and what you need. Your bereavement may also come at a time where you were already struggling, and now this has landed on top of that heavy weight. I believe that having a space to explore how you are feeling is crucial during this time. Your grief needs care and attention, and short term therapy (12 sessions) can be very effective in giving you space to feel supported and to heal.