Abel 🌱 (he/him)
@t4tcounselling.com
Practising psychotherapist (MSci, MBACP). Known troublemaker.
All opinions are my own.
www.t4tcounselling.com
All opinions are my own.
www.t4tcounselling.com
An important thread!
Safety Advice:
I keep seeing young trans people on social media talking about therapists disrespecting their pronouns and parents telling them that the therapist has a right to their beliefs.
I want to be clear: you have a right to the therapy room being a safe supportive space for YOUR growth.
I keep seeing young trans people on social media talking about therapists disrespecting their pronouns and parents telling them that the therapist has a right to their beliefs.
I want to be clear: you have a right to the therapy room being a safe supportive space for YOUR growth.
September 30, 2025 at 11:23 AM
An important thread!
Reposted by Abel 🌱 (he/him)
I'll be in Manchester on October 3rd at 6:30pm with Wu Tsang at @blackwellsmcr.bsky.social. Thanks to the Centre for the Study of Sexuality and Culture and the Centre for New Writing for co-sponsoring.
Tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/love-in-a-...
Tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/love-in-a-...
September 22, 2025 at 3:11 PM
I'll be in Manchester on October 3rd at 6:30pm with Wu Tsang at @blackwellsmcr.bsky.social. Thanks to the Centre for the Study of Sexuality and Culture and the Centre for New Writing for co-sponsoring.
Tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/love-in-a-...
Tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/love-in-a-...
Reposted by Abel 🌱 (he/him)
I’ve been quiet here, and life has felt heavy. My new book, Queer Minds, comes out October 21st, and I’m hoping it’s the kind of book that can make your life a little lighter. It’s full of voices and stories I’m proud of, including an interview with my lovely late wife, Lucy. Preorders are open now!
August 27, 2025 at 11:01 AM
I’ve been quiet here, and life has felt heavy. My new book, Queer Minds, comes out October 21st, and I’m hoping it’s the kind of book that can make your life a little lighter. It’s full of voices and stories I’m proud of, including an interview with my lovely late wife, Lucy. Preorders are open now!
Reposted by Abel 🌱 (he/him)
On neurodivergence:
Depending on people’s ways to function, grief can be experienced or expressed in a variety of ways.
Our ways of experiencing grief don't need to be pathologised or deemed “complicated”. They just are.
Appropriate support will provide a space to understand our own process. 4/
Depending on people’s ways to function, grief can be experienced or expressed in a variety of ways.
Our ways of experiencing grief don't need to be pathologised or deemed “complicated”. They just are.
Appropriate support will provide a space to understand our own process. 4/
August 13, 2025 at 2:14 PM
On neurodivergence:
Depending on people’s ways to function, grief can be experienced or expressed in a variety of ways.
Our ways of experiencing grief don't need to be pathologised or deemed “complicated”. They just are.
Appropriate support will provide a space to understand our own process. 4/
Depending on people’s ways to function, grief can be experienced or expressed in a variety of ways.
Our ways of experiencing grief don't need to be pathologised or deemed “complicated”. They just are.
Appropriate support will provide a space to understand our own process. 4/
I'm facilitating a group for trans+ therapists in Manchester city centre - this one's on the 22nd June (hopefully the first of many!)
Feel free to share the event link with people you think might be interested!
#therapistsconnect #therapistsky
Feel free to share the event link with people you think might be interested!
#therapistsconnect #therapistsky
Trans+ Therapist Heart Circle — T4T COUNSELLING
A co-created space to listen and be heard. This is a recurring peer group, trainees welcome!
t4tcounselling.com
August 10, 2025 at 8:33 AM
I'm facilitating a group for trans+ therapists in Manchester city centre - this one's on the 22nd June (hopefully the first of many!)
Feel free to share the event link with people you think might be interested!
#therapistsconnect #therapistsky
Feel free to share the event link with people you think might be interested!
#therapistsconnect #therapistsky
"You have a right to experiment with your life. You will make mistakes. And they are right too."
- a quote from Anaïs Nin that has been on my mind lately
- a quote from Anaïs Nin that has been on my mind lately
July 29, 2025 at 8:45 AM
"You have a right to experiment with your life. You will make mistakes. And they are right too."
- a quote from Anaïs Nin that has been on my mind lately
- a quote from Anaïs Nin that has been on my mind lately
A beautiful posthumous gift from Andrea Gibson that moved me deeply
Andrea Was Waiting To Give You This Poem
“When Death Came to Visit”
open.substack.com
July 26, 2025 at 8:26 AM
A beautiful posthumous gift from Andrea Gibson that moved me deeply
Reposted by Abel 🌱 (he/him)
Our next online #Hakomi training is Sat 16th August. More details here: eventbrite.co.uk/e/introducti... #hakomilancaster #experientiallearning #embodiment #bodymindconnection #TherapistsConnect #bodymind #wellbeing #mindfulness #therapistsky #helpthehelpers #selfcare
July 19, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Our next online #Hakomi training is Sat 16th August. More details here: eventbrite.co.uk/e/introducti... #hakomilancaster #experientiallearning #embodiment #bodymindconnection #TherapistsConnect #bodymind #wellbeing #mindfulness #therapistsky #helpthehelpers #selfcare
Reposted by Abel 🌱 (he/him)
This is your periodic reminder that there is no reason we should be coping well. The world harbours many dangers, permits daily atrocities and harm to those we know and love. Grief and anger and sadness and overwhelm are natural; they open us up also to feel joy and peace when those come by as well
July 18, 2025 at 8:16 AM
This is your periodic reminder that there is no reason we should be coping well. The world harbours many dangers, permits daily atrocities and harm to those we know and love. Grief and anger and sadness and overwhelm are natural; they open us up also to feel joy and peace when those come by as well
Reposted by Abel 🌱 (he/him)
Our next event, on July 11:
June 25, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Our next event, on July 11:
Receiving a copy of Mark's final book was a bittersweet moment today... I'm looking forward to sitting down with a cuppa to start reading ☕
July 9, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Receiving a copy of Mark's final book was a bittersweet moment today... I'm looking forward to sitting down with a cuppa to start reading ☕
Reposted by Abel 🌱 (he/him)
Save the date for our Therapy and Social Change (@TaSC) conference next year: 25th April 2026 - onlinevents.co.uk/save-the-dat...
Save the Date: Therapy and Social Change Network Conference – 25 April 2026
We are thrilled to announce that the Therapy and Social Change Network (TaSC) will host […]
onlinevents.co.uk
July 1, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Save the date for our Therapy and Social Change (@TaSC) conference next year: 25th April 2026 - onlinevents.co.uk/save-the-dat...
Reposted by Abel 🌱 (he/him)
Essential readings for mental health practitioners who want to develop a liberatory approach:
1/
1/
June 11, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Essential readings for mental health practitioners who want to develop a liberatory approach:
1/
1/
Such a lovely experience at Manchester Transactional Analysis Conference today - it was wonderful to be immersed in the TA community again to learn and grow together 🌱
If we talked but didn't get a chance to exchange contact details, please do reach out - I'd love to connect more!
If we talked but didn't get a chance to exchange contact details, please do reach out - I'd love to connect more!
June 28, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Such a lovely experience at Manchester Transactional Analysis Conference today - it was wonderful to be immersed in the TA community again to learn and grow together 🌱
If we talked but didn't get a chance to exchange contact details, please do reach out - I'd love to connect more!
If we talked but didn't get a chance to exchange contact details, please do reach out - I'd love to connect more!
Reposted by Abel 🌱 (he/him)
A lot of therapists seem to struggle with a quite basic fact - its not our job to change clients to fit with what makes us more comfortable.
This comes up lots when covid conscious ppl are seeking a therapist- and frankly it sucks
Living our best life is different for each and every one of us
This comes up lots when covid conscious ppl are seeking a therapist- and frankly it sucks
Living our best life is different for each and every one of us
June 9, 2025 at 9:33 AM
A lot of therapists seem to struggle with a quite basic fact - its not our job to change clients to fit with what makes us more comfortable.
This comes up lots when covid conscious ppl are seeking a therapist- and frankly it sucks
Living our best life is different for each and every one of us
This comes up lots when covid conscious ppl are seeking a therapist- and frankly it sucks
Living our best life is different for each and every one of us
A truly transformational time at the Asha Centre 🧘♂️
Being in a beautiful trans-centred space has recharged my batteries! Love and respect to everyone there for their radical vulnerability.
Being in a beautiful trans-centred space has recharged my batteries! Love and respect to everyone there for their radical vulnerability.
June 1, 2025 at 12:35 PM
A truly transformational time at the Asha Centre 🧘♂️
Being in a beautiful trans-centred space has recharged my batteries! Love and respect to everyone there for their radical vulnerability.
Being in a beautiful trans-centred space has recharged my batteries! Love and respect to everyone there for their radical vulnerability.
Reposted by Abel 🌱 (he/him)
"I was told by clinicians that I’m ‘too empathetic’ to be autistic. That invalidating, alienating experience shaped my research: I want to better understand why nonautistic people assume there’s an empathy deficit.” -Sarah Foster
news.utdallas.edu/health-medic... #autism #neurodiversity
news.utdallas.edu/health-medic... #autism #neurodiversity
May 29, 2025 at 5:21 AM
"I was told by clinicians that I’m ‘too empathetic’ to be autistic. That invalidating, alienating experience shaped my research: I want to better understand why nonautistic people assume there’s an empathy deficit.” -Sarah Foster
news.utdallas.edu/health-medic... #autism #neurodiversity
news.utdallas.edu/health-medic... #autism #neurodiversity
Reposted by Abel 🌱 (he/him)
What is 'epistemic justice' and what does it mean for therapeutic thought and practice. Our TASC Network seminar, this Friday (5-6pm), from the brilliant Nicola Blunden, should be a great introduction to the concept and its implications. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/epistemic-...
Epistemic Justice in Therapy: Knowledge, Power and Voice - Nicola Blunden
Epistemic Justice in Therapy: Knowledge, Power and Voice, A TaSC Seminar with Nicola Blunden
www.eventbrite.co.uk
May 21, 2025 at 7:16 AM
What is 'epistemic justice' and what does it mean for therapeutic thought and practice. Our TASC Network seminar, this Friday (5-6pm), from the brilliant Nicola Blunden, should be a great introduction to the concept and its implications. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/epistemic-...
Reposted by Abel 🌱 (he/him)
Important news, #therapistsky folks. Don't use AI as a search engine - it's poisoned with anti trans, anti abortion biases and almost certainly others as well.
Since the release of the HHS report, both Copilot and ChatGPT have begun to reference "gender exploratory therapy" as a "first line approach" for gender dysphoria by elevating the Therapy First website to the top of the SEO food chain.
May 20, 2025 at 2:31 AM
Important news, #therapistsky folks. Don't use AI as a search engine - it's poisoned with anti trans, anti abortion biases and almost certainly others as well.
Reposted by Abel 🌱 (he/him)
Throwback to a piece I wrote this week a few years ago, about being autistic, being a therapist, and having meltdowns:
medium.com/@sonnyhallet...
medium.com/@sonnyhallet...
“I’m a therapist now, how dare I have meltdowns”
I’ve been grappling with an unexpectedly difficult feeling lately. Ever since I started taking in the (still occasionally surprising)…
medium.com
May 20, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Throwback to a piece I wrote this week a few years ago, about being autistic, being a therapist, and having meltdowns:
medium.com/@sonnyhallet...
medium.com/@sonnyhallet...
Reposted by Abel 🌱 (he/him)
The illusion of clinician neutrality is self-idealising arrogance. It is the belief that we can stand above, untouched by the material world we inhabit. It mirrors whiteness’ disconnect from humanity & need for moral superiority.
As practitioners we can do better.
#TherapistsConnect
As practitioners we can do better.
#TherapistsConnect
May 13, 2025 at 1:22 PM
The illusion of clinician neutrality is self-idealising arrogance. It is the belief that we can stand above, untouched by the material world we inhabit. It mirrors whiteness’ disconnect from humanity & need for moral superiority.
As practitioners we can do better.
#TherapistsConnect
As practitioners we can do better.
#TherapistsConnect
Reposted by Abel 🌱 (he/him)
NEXT WEEK!
I Can't Save The World By Myself - LIVE event.
This event is LIVE only.
Use the link below to register.
buff.ly/dgrDF1n
#therapistsConnect #training4therapists #counselling
I Can't Save The World By Myself - LIVE event.
This event is LIVE only.
Use the link below to register.
buff.ly/dgrDF1n
#therapistsConnect #training4therapists #counselling
I Can't Save The World By Myself
I Can't Save The World By Myself Online Workshop
buff.ly
May 13, 2025 at 11:05 AM
NEXT WEEK!
I Can't Save The World By Myself - LIVE event.
This event is LIVE only.
Use the link below to register.
buff.ly/dgrDF1n
#therapistsConnect #training4therapists #counselling
I Can't Save The World By Myself - LIVE event.
This event is LIVE only.
Use the link below to register.
buff.ly/dgrDF1n
#therapistsConnect #training4therapists #counselling
Reposted by Abel 🌱 (he/him)
The european citizens' initiative to ban conversion therapies in the EU only has 250k signatures and needs to amass 1 million in the next 7 days... If you live in the EU, please sign it (you can't otherwise); if you don't, please share it around.
Si l'initiative citoyenne européenne visant à interdire les thérapies de conversion dans toute l'UE ne récolte pas 1 million de signatures d'ici 10 jours, elle échouera malheureusement...
eci.ec.europa.eu/043/public/#...
eci.ec.europa.eu/043/public/#...
European Citizens' Initiative
Give your support !
eci.ec.europa.eu
May 10, 2025 at 1:27 PM
The european citizens' initiative to ban conversion therapies in the EU only has 250k signatures and needs to amass 1 million in the next 7 days... If you live in the EU, please sign it (you can't otherwise); if you don't, please share it around.
Reposted by Abel 🌱 (he/him)
Just out! Our peer-reviewed critique of the Cass Review has been published by BMC Medical Research Methodology. Please read and share. We show that the Cass Review is fatally flawed and should not be the basis for policy or practice in transgender healthcare.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
May 10, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Just out! Our peer-reviewed critique of the Cass Review has been published by BMC Medical Research Methodology. Please read and share. We show that the Cass Review is fatally flawed and should not be the basis for policy or practice in transgender healthcare.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...