Colette O'Connor (she/they)

Queer therapist, based in Scotland, working online and by phone. Tell me who you are and I'll meet you there. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️♠♿

[Colette O'Connor (she/they) @queertherapyuk]

Today on my blog I'm talking about what 'affirmative practice' means for me, and for what I want to offer my clients. #queertherapy #lgbttherapy #GSRD

https://t.co/6QYL0UP7c3

[Colette O'Connor (she/they) @queertherapyuk]

Are you thrilled by incredibly sporadic posting? 😅 Did you know I am also on Instagram? https://t.co/hbnaU63mvK

[Colette O'Connor (she/they) @queertherapyuk]

That new books feeling!! Really looking forward to starting these after so enjoying @SilvaNeves3's workshops at the Rainbow Therapy conference 🌈

[Colette O'Connor (she/they) @queertherapyuk]

Your experience of being alive is more important than any metric of achievement or productivity. Finding joy, having meaningful experiences and making real connections to others are what actually matters

[Natalie, MS, LPC @kneadtotalk]

If you could go back to your college self and share one piece of mental health advice, what would it be?

I’ll start. “Watching what you eat” is a slippery slope to disordered eating.

[Colette O'Connor (she/they) @queertherapyuk]

@114broadway This is appalling, I'm so sorry this happened to you and your classmates, and that stories like this don't seem to be uncommon

[Colette O'Connor (she/they) @queertherapyuk]

I have nothing but love for the tutors on my masters who were as supportive as they could possibly be within the system but the overarching structures were fundamentally hostile to chronically ill and disabled students

[Erin Stevens same handle elsewhere @aclientfirst]

Training to be a therapist shouldn't be traumatic.

[Dr. Linda Berman @LindaBerman4]

“We live in a world where most people still subscribe to the belief that shame is a good tool for keeping people in line.Not only is this wrong,but it’s dangerous.Shame is highly correlated with addiction, violence, aggression, depression,eating disorders,& bullying.”
Brené Brown

[Colette O'Connor (she/they) @queertherapyuk]

@aclientfirst With the lack of resources and funding for MH services, I wonder how much it gets used as a way to turn the blame onto SUs when the issue is lack of appropriate available care

[Colette O'Connor (she/they) @queertherapyuk]

@aclientfirst I didn't even refuse to answer the question (which I found dehumanising) because I was desperate for help and I had a sense that my total compliance was demanded. But even that wasn't good enough because I looked uncomfortable doing it

[Colette O'Connor (she/they) @queertherapyuk]

@aclientfirst That was a moment that has really stuck with me through my journey to become a therapist. I am always deeply suspicious when I hear about other people 'not engaging' with mental health services

[End Conversion Therapy Scotland @ECTScotland]

The Expert Advisory Group on Conversion Practices has released it's report today.

This report recognises the need for a comprehensive ban of all Conversion Practices on the basis of both sexuality and gender identity, and wherever it may occur.

https://t.co/2TBXCDuZPA

[Colette O'Connor (she/they) @queertherapyuk]

I was extremely privileged in that I had the financial support of my family while I was training, and even in this scenario the impact on my health meant I struggled to get through. Less financially privileged students wouldn't have even had a chance

[Colette O'Connor (she/they) @queertherapyuk]

If we want to understand why disabled and chronically ill clients are so poorly served by therapy we need to understand the barriers preventing the same demographic from becoming therapists

[Colette O'Connor (she/they) @queertherapyuk]

@adamfare1996 Me too! 🖤🤍💜

[GAY TIMES @gaytimes]

Email your MP today to ask them to commit to passing a full and comprehensive ban on conversion therapy that leaves no one behind 👇

https://t.co/AjPGMSkbb2

[Colette O'Connor (she/they) @queertherapyuk]

Feeling a heavy grief, in angry tears over the conversion therapy law u-turn. All my love and solidarity to my trans family, friends, colleagues and clients

[Colette O'Connor (she/they) @queertherapyuk]

Margot wants to know what you've done as self care today? She'll be very impressed if you've licked your own toes in a weirder position than this

[Colette O'Connor (she/they) @queertherapyuk]

@ChloeCounsellor I work over zoom and they are in my name tag

[Colette O'Connor (she/they) @queertherapyuk]

@LeRemedyy Same! It would be nice not to feel that way but I'm trying to see it in terms of a sign that I care about doing my best for the client