Pink Therapy News
Keeping YOU in the Frame
April 2009
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Greetings!
UKCP/Pink Therapy Conference 15 & 16 May 2009
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 As you are no doubt aware, we have been invited by UKCP to co-host a conference on working with gender and sexual minorities in Central London on the above dates. This conference is open to all therapists and therapy students (you don't need to be a UKCP member) and you surely don't need to identify as a gender or sexual minority yourself.
Most of you will have seen the breaking news story last week about 1:6 therapists agreeing to help eliminate or reduce same sex desires. The research comes from a study by Professor Michael King of UCH and he will be opening the conference reporting on this research and presenting data on mental health issues as they affect LGBT people.
We really DO hope you will make every effort to attend this conference which will be exciting, innovating and very interesting. It's crucial we all do what we can to make sure we offer the highest standards of care to our gender and sexual minority clients.
For details of the conference programme, please click here: http://www.pinktherapy.com/2009.htm
Many thanks!
Dominic
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Committed or not? Relationship therapy with sexual minorities
Saturday May 9th 2009
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This workshop is devoted to developing a framework for the thinking and practice of undertaking therapy with sexual minority couples. Current thinking about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender lifestyles in relation to coupledom will be examined. Although the workshop will identify specific challenges facing sexual minority couples, some of which may bring them for help, attention will also be paid to the factors which contribute to healthy functioning within couple relationships. More information can be found here: www.pinktherapy.com/training/relationships
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Understanding Kink and BDSM
Saturday June 6th 2009
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BDSM (bondage and discipline, domination and submission and sadomasochism) is perhaps the most demonized form of consensual sexuality, still criminalized in the UK and pathologised as a 'paraphilia' in the DSM. Much training material for therapists and counsellors still perpetuates negative myths about BDSM practices despite lack of evidence for any link between such practices and psychological problems.
This workshop encourages participants to reflect on their own belief systems around BDSM. It examines the variety of 'kinky' practices, drawing on existential approaches to consider the multiple meanings these may have for clients. Common myths around BDSM are challenged and the most up-to-date research on BDSM presented. Attendees consider various case-studies to think about how they might work with kinky/BDSM clients, including those whose identity/practice is unrelated to their presenting problem, those who are concerned about their identity/practice, and those who regard their identity/practice as linked to the therapeutic experience. Relationships between BDSM and self-harming practices will also be explored.
For more information go here:
www.pinktherapy.com/training/kink.html
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TransBareAll Weekend Retreat
July 17th - 19th 2009
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 TransBareAll (TBA) is hosting it's first weekend retreat in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK, running from 17th - 19th July 2009. for FtM transsexuals. They've asked us to help promote their workshop:
Would you like to feel more confident and comfortable in your body?
Do you want a safe space to talk about intimacy and sex?
Would you like the opportunity to explore and share your experiences with other transmen?
The weekend will include workshops, discussions, photography, optional nudity and a chance to relax. We want to explore issues such as sexual health, bodies and our relationships, sex and intimacy. Getting to know your body may be challenging for some, but it is a chance to meet this challenge head on, improve your quality of life and learn about yourself in the process.
The inspiration for this retreat came from past projects and the realisation that we can be trans, proud of our bodies and feel sexy and confident. We want to share this with you. Come and join us for a weekend of intimate discussion and exploration in a safe and understanding environment.
The retreat will be a small and intimate group of 20 people, so spaces are limited. Anyone along the journey from FtM are welcome, wherever on that journey you are or want to travel to.
To book a place or for more information please contact:
Jay or Lee at TBA - transbareall@googlemail.com
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LIVING THE LIFE I WANT...
April 16th to July 2nd 2009
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 There are a few spaces left in a therapeutic group for gay and bisexual men which begins in April. The focus will be on living authentically and looking at the ways we limit or sabotage ourselves from being the person we could be.
The group will take place on Thursday evenings from 6 - 8 pm in Central London, WC2, from April 16th to July 2nd. The cost will be £25 per week. Places are strictly limited as it will be a closed group, in other words open only to those who have joined at the beginning.
It will be facilitated by Jonathan Izard (MBACP), a member of the Directory of Pink Therapists. Jonathan has worked with the Terrence Higgins Trust and run groups for men at Survivors UK. He has a private counselling & psychotherapy practice in Covent Garden.
For more details contact:
Jonathan on 07956 285327 or email jonathan@counsellingtherapy.com
See also his website: counsellingtherapy.com
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Loving Men VII
30th May to 7th June
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 Loving Men VII is an intensive week-long residential event for gay and bisexual men, which takes place at the Laurieston Hall in south west Scotland between 30th May and 7th June. The event will be a fun-packed week of learning about intimacy, connection, friendships and relationships in a community of like-minded men. We hope you will come and join us!
Loving Men has a Bursary Fund to support men on low incomes to participate in events. See the bursary fund page on the website for more info.
Please also pass this on to other men who might be interested. It really helps us to get the word out.
"If you want to see the best, most positive and affirming side of the gay community - this is it."
For more details see www.lovingmen.org or call us on 07973 188 280
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A Day In Hand
Sunday May 17th 2009
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 David Watkins is coordinating a day where same-sex couples help to create a greater visible presence throughout the UK, encouraging everybody (LGBT or heterosexual) to hold the hand of someone of the same gender, in public. The long-term aim is to 'usualise' same-sex hand holding in public. The short term goals include increasing LGBT visibility in a non-violent, yet powerfully iconic way, and supporting International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO). For straight men and women who might want to participate it will also give an insight into the problems and difficulties faced by same-sex couples who choose to hold hands in public.
The event is scheduled to be held on IDAHO Sunday May 17th 2009. In the early stages of the campaign some research will be carried into the possible difficulties that might be faced by such an event, asking for same-sex couples to hold hands in their local neighbourhood, and document the experience.
The research and activities will be documented using photos, video footage, and testimonials, encouraging people to do a same-sex hand holding audit of the area in which they live, recording the time, date, place they observed a same-sex couple holding hands.
As it is in the really early stages of the campaign, David needs to source a web designer, graphic artist, videographer, photographer etc all volunteers of course.
He would also value comments and advice about the efficacy, practicality, problems and priorities of such a campaign.
Also organising professional photographs to be taken around famous London sights of same sex couples holding hands on Sat 7th, for the media campaign.
Please email dwatkins@london.com or call 07931 461810
For more information goto www.adayinhand.com and join the facebook group.
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The Positives Surveys for Bisexuals and for Transgender Identified Persons
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The Positives Survey for Bisexuals:
A study of the positive aspects of being a bisexual identified individual is seeking participants to answer a short survey. The study is being conducted by Ellen D.B. Riggle, PhD, and Sharon S. Rostosky, PhD, at the University of Kentucky. If you self-identify as a bisexual person, and are 18 or older, please go to
https://www.coe.uky.edu/surveyor/?Survey=RBS2009
for more information about the study and to participate. The purpose of this study is to document the positive aspects and strengths that bisexuals perceive as associated with their self-identification.
The Positives Survey for Transgender Identified Persons:
A study of the positive aspects of being a transgender identified individual is seeking participants to answer a short survey. The study is being conducted by Ellen D.B. Riggle, PhD, and Sharon S. Rostosky, PhD, at the University of Kentucky. If you self-identify as a transgender person, and are 18 or older, please go to
https://www.coe.uky.edu/surveyor/?Survey=RTS2009
for more information about the study and to participate. The purpose of this study is to document the positive aspects and strengths that transgender individuals perceive as associated with their self-identification.
The surveys will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.
More information can be found at www.PrismResearch.org
These surveys will remain open until May 15, 2009.
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| Survey on Women's Relationships and Appearance |
Caroline Huxley is a PhD student at the Centre for Appearance Research at the University of the West of England. Her research focuses on women's body image and their sexuality, and is currently looking for couples in what are commonly termed 'romantic' or 'sexual' relationships to take part in an online survey on how women's relationships may be associated with their body image.
Caroline is interested in researching lesbian and bisexual women and their partners, as well as heterosexual (straight) women and their partners, so if you identify with any of these then you are eligible to take part.
The survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete, and it's important that both you and your partner are willing to take part. You will also have the chance to enter into a prize draw to win £50. More information about the research and the survey itself can be found by following the link below:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=ArxmyDhS3xZNgI4K4Y_2bhEg_3d_3d
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We would love to hear the story of your relationship
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 Have you entered a Civil Partnership?
Were you under the age of 35?
Three researchers (lesbian, gay and straight) from the University of Manchester who are interested in the everyday realities of same sex relationships are undertaking a study of same sex couples, who have had a Civil Partnership, to find out how they met, what attracted them to each other, how their relationship developed and what it's like to be in Civil Partnership.
They would like to hear from couples who entered a Civil Partnership in the UK before they turned 35. Both couple and individual stories.
If you and your partner are interested in taking part in this study, you will be asked to tell your story in an informal interview .A convenient time to visit you will be arranged, at your home or at another local venue. If you need a language interpreter, or a signer, this can be arranged.
They hope to bring together stories, like yours, of the realities of same sex relationships, but also, to inform policy makers, service providers and the wider public about our relationships. This will be done by communicating findings to policy makers, service providers and interest groups in LGBT communities and elsewhere.
Fully anonymised summaries of the findings will be made available to the public on the World Wide Web and to everyone who takes part in this study.
If you would like to find out more about the study or to take part please telephone Anna on 0161 275 1295. Alternatively you can send an email to one of the research team:
Anna Einarsdottir
anna.einarsdottir@manchester.ac.uk
Brian Heaphy
brian.heaphy@manchester.ac.uk
Carol Smart
carol.smart@manchester.ac.uk
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SUPERVISION with CLOUD TAYLOR
September 2009
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Cloud Taylor, Clinical Associate with Pink Therapy, will be running an ongoing supervision group for lesbian and gay counsellors and psychotherapists from September 2009.
This group will meet alternate Thursday evenings at London Bridge.
For further information please contact Cloud Taylor:
cloud.taylor@pinktherapy.com
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TALKING WITHOUT PREJUDICE
Information and support group for people living with HIV
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 The Cara Trust presents a programme of monthly discussion and support groups for people living with HIV, focusing on the issues that matter. Groups take place at River House, Furnival Gardens (off Rutland Grove W6 9DJ) in Hammmersmith, 7pm - 9pm, and are led by Lawrence, a professional counsellor.
Please call Cara on 020 7243 6147 or mail@caralife.com for more info or to book a place.
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New Journal - Psychology & Sexuality
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 We are pleased to announce the publication of a new journal entitled Psychology & Sexuality. Taylor & Francis will be publishing the first issue of this new international journal in 2010, which we hope will become a leading publication in the field. Full details are available here http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/rpse
This new journal is designed to fill the gap in the market for an international journal which publishes high-quality quantitative and qualitative psychological research on sexualities. Psychology & Sexuality will advance knowledge and understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, heterosexual and queer issues in psychology and allied disciplines. The journal will adopt a broad understanding of psychology such that work that may traditionally be seen as outside the remit of psychology is included. Furthermore, the journal will aim to be progressive and radical with regard to current debates in critical psychology whilst also inclusive, publishing good quality quantitative and qualitative work.
If you wish to submit an article or book review please visit the website where all details of the submissions process are provided. We would also be grateful if you could also publicise the journal wherever possible and encourage articles from your colleagues and students.
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That's all for this month, thanks for your attention, and please do send us things that have a specific relevance to people working with gender and sexual minority clients. |
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Dominic Davies
Pink Therapy
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