#TherapistsConnect #TherapistSky

So, given that Bluesky is also AI slop, where do we go now? Is social media a failed experiment? Do we build local communities and abandon the dream of an interconnected world?

Happy 8th anniversary to the tweet that changed us forever. Look at this absolute unit.

Today, 6 April, is the start of the new tax year. Why? The lore is that when we changed calendars in 1752, the Exchequer didn't want to lose 365 days' revenue, so tax year end shifted from traditional quarter Lady Day - 25 March. Never verified this, as far too good a tale.

Therapists don’t give advice. I don’t know your life like you do and choices are more meaningful when they come from you. We can talk about options, but you should *run* from therapists who try to tell you what to do. It’s a subtle abuse of power.

Something I need to work on is my tendency to downplay how much I struggle and then being surprised when people assume everything is easy for me.

I feel like this principle applies to the use of AI in therapy in a different but closely related way.

I have decided to rank all the systems I ran last year in order of how much I enjoyed running them. 1. Pathfinder 2E 2. Warhammer: Age of Sigmar: Soulbound 3. Dark Heresy 4. Blades in the Dark 5. Star Wars: Age of Rebellion #TTRPG

Blessed Yule!

#TherapistsConnect #TherapistSky

Kierkegaard would have loved Wake Up Dead Man.

We miss out on a lot working alone in Private Practice. Today I am hosting an “office” Xmas drinks for therapists in Leeds and beyond. It should be a good time. #TherapistsConnect #TherapistSky

a load-bearing component of “the magic of Christmas” is the invisible domestic labor of moms you are now realizing how much she was doing for you and instead of just thanking her you’ve decided it’s about the decline of civilization

Successfully delivered my first supervision session as part of my level 6 training. All went well. #TherapistsConnect #TherapistSky

What book would people recommend for a psychotherapist who is training to be a supervisor and will soon start seeing supervisees? Preferably something on the humanistic/existential side of things. #TherapistsConnect #TherapistSky

Blessed Samhain! Between now and Yule is a time of darkness and decay. This is not a bad thing. In our 24/7 365 hustle culture it is psychologically healthy to set aside a time when you stop, take stock, settle down and chill. Take a break. #TherapistsConnect #TherapistSky #Pagan #Witchcraft #Wicca

#TherapistsConnect #TherapistSky As part of my CPCAB accredited Level 6 Certificate in Therapeutic Counselling Supervision I am offering low cost supervision to counsellors and therapists.

Next off my reading pile, I am taking a break from psychotherapy to read something more aligned with some of my other interests.

Having had a chance to read it I can now say that is is not only one of the best books on racism I have ever read but also one of the best books of applied philosophy I have ever read.

Excellent conference. Really well organised. Some really great workshops presented by some exceptional people. Dr Marc Boaz impressed me in particular.

Very much looking forward to doing this online today. #therapistsky #therapistsconnect #blueskytherapists

Today I started my Level 6 Certificate in Counselling Supervision at Headstrong Academy. #TherapistsConnect #TherapistSky

Ran a successful Mental Health First Aid night for my Scout troop yesterday. Really pleased with how seriously they took it. #Scouts #TherapistsConnect #TherapistSky

Next off my reading pile. Preordered this book as soon as it was announced. Arrived yesterday so I am wasting no time getting into it.

This book was interesting, with some useful ideas. I do not regret reading it. The title is misleading, however, since very little of the content specifically addresses the challenges of time-limited therapy. #therapistsky #therapistsconnect #blueskytherapists

Seeing public critics of a government getting fired so mergers will be approved, while a dude who talks about “involuntarily euthanising” the homeless just has to issue an apology, is the most dystopian crap I’ve ever seen.

Would anyone have any recommendations or advice for training/qualifying as a supervisor in the UK? #TherapistsConnect #TherapistSky

There are books addressing mental health issues from a (Neo)Pagan/Witchcraft perspective. Every one I have yet seen is written by a well intentioned practitioners of the craft who are not actually therapists. My ambition is to write a book which bridges the gap. #TherapistsConnect #TherapistSky

Unfortunately, this is important. Re-posting with alt text.

Just finished my last shift as a cleaner. My psychotherapy private practice is now my sole source of income. No safety net now so I need to make this work. #TherapistsConnect #TherapistSky

UK online safety law in practice.

Next off my reading pile. Hopefully this will help me with my EAP work. #therapistsky #therapistsconnect #blueskytherapists

Often books on queer witchcraft either have a lot of good queer theory with very little actual witchcraft or a lot of good witchcraft with very little actual queer theory. This book truly succeeds at integrating the two. My sexual, gender and religious identities have never felt more aligned.

I will be asking to remove 'Queer As Folklore' from the long list for the Polari Prize 2025.

Starting my All-Therapist Pathfinder TTRPG tomorrow, which is either the best or worst idea I have ever had… #TherapistsConnect #TherapistSky #TTRPG #Pathfinder

Oh the irony of sitting down to write in my BACP accreditation application about how I follow the ethical code of conduct just as news breaks that the Chair and Deputy Chair have been caught fiddling expense. #TherapistsConnect #TherapistSky

I have decided that the time is right to quit the cleaning job. With the stability of my EAP work, I am ready to make counselling my sole source of income. #TherapistsConnect #TherapistSky

A birthday gift from my beloved spouse. #TherapistsConnect #TherapistSky

Happy Yorkshire Day! I may only be a Yorkshireman by marriage but this has been my home for nearly ten years and is likely where I will proudly live until the end of my days. #Yorkshire #YorkshireDay

Next book off my reading pile is not CPD, for once, but something of a more personal interest.

Even though Van Deurzen & I seem to come from opposite ends of the Existential spectrum, I picked up a lot of valuable insights into how to actually apply Existential Therapy with the client in the room. Now, what to read next?

#TherapistsConnect #TherapistSky #Yorkshire

#TherapistsConnect #TherapistSky Still time to sign up for my CPD workshop on Saturday.

The next Therapist’s Café social and networking event is York on Sunday. #TherapistsConnect #TherapistSky

Marched in Leeds Pride with Central Yorkshire Scouts.

I can announce that this year I will be marching in Leeds Pride with The Scout Association.

Does anyone else periodically google Yalom just to make sure he is still alive? #TherapistsConnect #TherapistSky

I flatter myself by imagining that every time Leeds Pride comes around I should hold an NFL Draft style press conference to announce who I will be marching with that year. So far I have “signed” with Live Well Leeds, Leeds Becket University, Trans Leeds and Leeds Bi+ Social.

For those who want to give it a go themselves, I will be starting a new Pathfinder TTRPG campaign for therapists in August. This is more of a social and networking opportunity. We would meet on alternate Sunday evenings online to play together. #TherapistsConnect #TherapistSky