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Jonathan Bailey and the legacy of homophobia at school
Recently, actor Jonathan Bailey shared something powerful. At school, he did not feel safe being himself. Being gay was not accepted or celebrated. He described it as feeling like he was in a 'straight jacket'. It is a strong image and one that reflects how many queer young people have felt, often in silence, and how the impact of homophobia at school can continue into adulthood. Why his words matter Even though times have changed to an extent, the effects of school-based hom

Paul Butlin
Dec 5, 20253 min read


Person-Centred Therapy: What it is and why I believe in it
In this blog, I share what person-centred therapy means in practice, how it can help with feelings of anxiety, low mood or disconnection, and why I believe it offers lasting change through empathy, understanding and self-discovery. What is person-centred therapy? When people first come to therapy, they often ask what kind of therapy I offer. My approach is called person-centred therapy , a form of talk therapy that focuses on you as the expert of your own experience. It is

Paul Butlin
Nov 3, 20253 min read


What my stammer has taught me about being a counsellor
I recently wrote a piece for the charity STAMMA about my experience training to be a counsellor as someone who stammers. Writing it brought up a lot of reflection and some hesitation. It felt vulnerable to share something so personal, but as a therapist, I try to live by what I encourage my clients to do: to be authentic and to meet ourselves with compassion, even when it feels uncomfortable. I hope the piece resonates with anyone who’s ever felt that a part of who they are m

Paul Butlin
Oct 20, 20251 min read


Chronic Shame and Queer Trauma — Let’s call it what it is
So often, queer people are told that everything’s fine now — that equality has been achieved and the fight is over. But the truth is, many of us still carry the emotional legacy of growing up in a world that said we were wrong. In this post, I reflect on Adam James Cohen’s Psychology Today article about chronic shame as complex trauma, and why naming it is a vital step towards healing. When I came across Adam James Cohen’s Psychology Today article, Chronic Shame: A Complex

Paul Butlin
Oct 7, 20253 min read


Why LGBTQ+ Affirmative Therapy matters to me
Therapy can feel daunting if you have spent years being told your identity is wrong or not valid. In this blog I share what LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy means, why I chose to work in this way, and how it can help create a safe space for people to explore who they are with acceptance and compassion.

Paul Butlin
Sep 24, 20253 min read
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