QUEER AND GSRD THERAPY
I understand the term “queer” to define more how we live than who we are. I like to use the term queer and the verb “queering”, as for me they involve an active questioning of and countering of what is normative and damaging in our lives.
In this sense queer is not a label and queering doesn’t imply an “us and them”. On the contrary, it cuts across all categories: we can all question patriarchy, heteronormativity, gender and all sorts of binarism, white supremacy, neoliberalism, classism, ableism, anthropocentrism and neuro-normativity, in ourselves and our lives. Therapy can help us do this by addressing the damage and supporting alternatives.
I like using the term GSRD therapy, where GSRD stands for Gender, Sexuality, Relationship Diversity, because it’s less based on ideas of fixed identities and more on experiences and practices that move away from what is normative.
When working with heterosexual, cis, monogamous people I like to bring in, when possible, reflections on “gender trauma” and how damaging Western notions of heterosexuality, cisgenderism and monogamy can be for everyone, in different ways.
I believe there is a deep relationship between queer identities and neurodivergence, especially when neurodivergence is understood broadly rather than in terms of medical diagnosis.
Using a neurodivergent paradigm to explore our experiences of not fitting in with a neurotypically designed society, of being perceived as “crazy” or “weird”, of learning to adapt and mask / pass, can help us depathologise ourselves in a way that focusing only on traumas and symptoms as individuals does not always allow.
INTERPERSONAL BOUNDARIES
If you identify as queer / LGBTQIA+ and live in Glasgow, it might be that we share spaces and know other people who also do. If that’s the case, it’s important that we discuss this to make sure boundaries are negotiated and protected across therapeutic and other relationships.
I have a document on interpersonal boundaries that I can make available to you and that can be useful for us to navigate boundaries in case we share spaces other than the space of therapy
TESTIMONIES
“Paolo is a very open minded and supportive person, who offered helpful insights into the day to day struggles I have experienced. He has helped me foster a closer and more meaningful connection with my family, helped me understand what family means to me, and reminded me of what is important to me spiritually.
I found art therapy to be a peaceful and deeply emotional outlet for my thoughts and feelings. I have been able to articulate more complex experiences in my life in a simpler way through making art.
The somatic trauma therapy has been a great tool for me to break intense negative thoughts and feelings that come up for me throughout the day, so I can pull my mind into the present. It has also been helpful in releasing trauma stored within the body, and I can feel a difference in my body both during and after the sessions.”
