Ky Kepner Psychotherapy

A lovely little read about the joy of embracing the softness in life - and yourself.

I never realised how much freedom and comfort softness could bring It’s easy enough to get lured into adopting a brittle persona, but there are other ways to live your life

Working with polyamorous and ethically non-monogamous clients means I get some interesting reading recommendations to expand my knowledge. While at Gay's The Word bookshop in London I spotted one that came highly regarded, so I scooped it up!

As an LGBTQIA+ therapist working with many gender identities, I understand and honour the great importance of chosen names and preferred pronouns. We must feel free to be who we are in the therapy room, and I believe in fighting for everyone’s right to their identity in this world.

Image credit: Womanhoodlooks

My stance on UKCP withdrawing from the Memorandum of Understanding on Conversion Therapy and the Coalition Against Conversion Therapy. They say they are still against it, but we don’t need words. We need action. Meanwhile, BACP have stated they remain committed to the MoU.

An Ode to Springtime. I'm sure many of us are looking forward to brighter days and the warmth on our skin.

I'm excited to say I have joined Talk to the Rainbow, an organisation of q***r and allied therapists serving the LGBTQIA+ community in the UK.

Happy Transgender Awareness Week to my trans clients, friends, colleagues and others around the world! Here are some quick and easy resources for everyone to have a look through:

How to be an ally: https://www.amnesty.org.uk/LGBTQ-equality/gender-identity-beginners-guide-trans-allies

Online information and organisations for trans and non-binary people:

https://www.tht.org.uk/hiv-and-s*xual-health/s*xual-health/trans-people/resources

https://www.trans.ac.uk/ResourcesInformation/OrganisationsCommunity/tabid/7258/Default.aspx

Come out for trans equality: https://www.stonewall.org.uk/our-work/campaigns/come-out-trans-equality

So many people ask "Why do I find things more difficult than other people I know?". I feel this image explains it perfectly.

I couldn't find the artist's name unfortunately.

I love this framework from Lived Experience Educator. The movement away from the pathology of neurodivergent people and towards an understanding that there are many equally meaningful ways of experiencing and being in the world is incredibly important to me.

Mind are offering a free online course to make it easier to have conversations about mental health with those who are struggling.

Mind's free online course to help you support others You'll build confidence in how to have conversations about mental health and wellbeing, to be there for others in your community.

During the Summer months I take a little time off. We all need to recharge to prevent burnout. Everyone has different ways of going about this. Mine is spending as much time as possible in beautiful outdoor spaces. This is a shot from Dingli Cliffs in Malta.

I was interviewed by Kevin Braddock on the importance of diversity in psychotherapy training for his article in New Psychotherapist magazine. Pages 30-34 here:https://www.psychotherapy.org.uk/media/bokfwk11/83-new-psychotherapist-summer-2023-web.pdf

Really happy to say you can now find me on the Pink Therapy directory. Pink Therapy offers a directory of LGBTQIA+ friendly therapists and counsellors providing trusted, non-judgmental services for people who identify as le***an, gay, bis*xual, trans, q***r, as*xual, inters*x and anyone who identifies as gender, s*x or relationship diverse. Find me here: pinktherapy.com/therapist-directory/ky-kepner

We live in a time when more and more people are exploring what gender means to them, and where (and if) they fit on the gender spectrum. Here's an interesting article on pronouns with a bit of history.

‘It’s complicated – but you can’t shy away from it’: everything you wanted to know about pronouns (but were afraid to ask) There’s a quiet revolution happening over how we address people, and behind it lies a surprising history …

Time to start Gabor Maté's new book. He has a tendency to evoke quite an emotional response, so I'm buckling myself in for the ride.

I was incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to be interviewed by Bristol.Live about the importance of LGBTQIA+ informed therapy.

Man's quest for q***r-friendly therapy after past struggle "Q***r people belong in these spaces - belong in society - no matter what some may say"

There is a large body of evidence suggesting that the success of therapy is not necessarily determined by picking the 'right type' of psychotherapy. Studies suggest that the outcome relies largely on the relationship you can build with your therapist, rather than the approach(es) they follow.

Psychotherapy evidence | UKCP There is a large body of evidence to show that psychotherapy works. Many studies, reviews, analyses, and trials have shown the efficacy of psychotherapy, demonstrating positive, enduring outcomes from both short-term and long-term intervention.

Some ways to boost those feel good chemicals.

Sometimes we need someone to witness our experience, to validate our struggles. Sounds simple right? Yet we can often feel like we can't get it from those in our lives. As a therapist, it all begins with me getting to know you, not me trying to fix you.

Keeping the conversation going. The government needs to step up and ban all forms of conversion therapy.

RCN Congress 2022: Nurses condemn ‘torturous’ conversion therapy Nurses today took a strong stand against the practice of conversion therapy which they described...

It's wild garlic season! 🥰

A moving quote that reminds me a little of therapy.

This is such a useful resource on boundaries from Bless the Messy You deserve to have your boundaries respected.

Sunset at Glastonbury Tor

You can’t really run away from home... (-an excerpt from my book, ‘Hearticulations’)

A little bit of q***r history!

Football tournaments don’t cause abuse; abuse is always a choice an abuser makes - but they can aggravate pre-existing abusive behaviours. I'm sharing Refuge's details to let survivors know they are not alone: http://bit.ly/33OYW73

Can we create a more trauma-informed society and heal? I am left feeling deeply moved by The Wisdom of Trauma featuring Dr. Gabor Maté

What is therapy to me?