Shows
Such a Gorgeous ParadoxBONUS: "The dynamic of belonging and not belonging." - Ryan with Kairo MaynardI asked my first guest, Kairo Maynard, to return to the podcast and interview me. We talk about my journey into Dramatherapy, my queer identity, my health, and radical rest.
I am a queer-identifying and queer-affirming therapist. I initially qualified as a dramatherapist, and I'm currently doing an additional diploma in Psychosexual Therapy, as I believe that sexuality and relationships are key aspects of a whole and joyful life. My approach to therapy practice can be described as fluid, personable, curious, and compassionate. I have worked in the fields of substance misuse, sexual health, trauma...2021-03-291h 13Such a Gorgeous Paradox"We want the freedom to be who we are." - Dr Bruce Howard BayleyDr. Bruce Howard Bayley was born in Mumbai, India and is an Anglo-Indian Dramatherapist in Central London working specifically with bereavement, sexuality, gender, trauma and recoverers from addictions, self-harm and abuses (physical, sexual and spiritual). He has presented papers and workshops, including his own Tribuvan Threefold Psycho-Spiritual Dramatherapy, in the UK, Germany (Nürtingen), Milan, Poland (Warsaw), Beijing, Chennai, Mumbai and Pune. Additionally, he has been associated with a number of UK universities as trainer, supervisor and external examiner with a special interest in the development of multi-cultural clinical practice and marginalized populations.
Be i...2021-03-151h 16Such a Gorgeous Paradox"You make space for the knowing." - Samantha E AdamsSam trained at the University of Roehampton where she now also teaches the Therapeutic Stories Unit, having been a performer and storyteller for over two decades. She is an Executive member of BADth and is currently organising the 2021 conference themed to issues spotlighted by pandemic and Black Lives Matter. Sam works as a Dramatherapist in a primary school with children excluded from mainstream education, and with women at risk of the criminal justice system. Her research interests include: generational trauma connected to colonialism, structural racism, ritual performance as restoration and activism, and heritage object work with her mother’s or...2021-03-081h 19Such a Gorgeous Paradox"I'm a Sikh Dramatherapist." Eshmit KaurEshmit Kaur is an Initiated Sikh. She is a Dramatherapist, trained actor, spoken word artist and freelance creative practitioner. Her spiritual path is the foundation of all of her work, which is a constant reminder to always Serve others.
Eshmit has worked extensively in the Sikh Community by delivering performances and creating projects to capture Sikh Heritage and History in an accessible format. Her creative projects have been funded by Arts Council England twice, and has performed nationally and internationally as a performance artist. Eshmit has created radio pieces for the BBC on several occasions and collaborated...2021-03-011h 10Such a Gorgeous Paradox"I was completely in my depth." - Mandy CarrMandy is a dramatherapist, trainer and clinical supervisor. A former senior lecturer in dramatherapy at Anglia Ruskin University, she is interested in the connections between politics, religion and therapy. Her background as a Progressive Jew from Liverpool is a key factor driving her passion for widening inclusion in society. In her first career as a teacher, Mandy headed several departments of 'English as an Additional Language' in inner-city secondary schools. Her interest in intercultural work, has led to a range of roles which have included convening the BADth (British Association of Dramatherapists) Equality and Diversity (now Inclusion and...2021-02-221h 04Such a Gorgeous Paradox"I feel really proud to be a Black therapist." - Lucy JoyContent warning: explicit language is used in this episode, including an example of racist language.
Lucy is a passionate Creative Arts Psychotherapist who offers a different unique way to support children to find creative ways to communicate and express themselves. Lucy is also a Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapist (DDP informed) and has a special focus on adoption and foster care issues derived from her own personal experiences.
Lucy specialises in working with children who are impacted by developmental trauma and uses DDP to support children to make sense of things that have happened in their past...2021-02-151h 07Such a Gorgeous Paradox"Give back to your community." - Simon MarksContent warning: this episode includes discussions of sexual assault, suicidal ideation, and addiction, which listeners may find triggering.
Simon Marks is a Dramatherapist and addictions counsellor at Mount Carmel rehab, where he delivers their addiction treatment programme. Simon also runs a private practice in Central London, specialising in Inner-Child work, LGBTQ+ mental health, addiction, chemsex, trauma and co-dependency. He offers both individual and group work, and delivers a full range of training programmes in these areas. Simon also runs the long-running gay men’s discussion group, A Change Of Scene, and is himself in...2021-02-081h 25Such a Gorgeous Paradox"Are you ready for the work?" - Sareena RaiHaving graduated from her undergraduate degree in Speech and Language therapy in 2010, and then teaching drama to children for a number of years, Sareena Rai knew there had to be a way to connect those dots and utilise the power in creativity within psychotherapy. Which is when Dramatherapy found her.
With only a few months to go, she reflects on her own journey into the world of Dramatherapy, what the term ‘gorgeous paradox’ means to her, and how it feels to be undertaking such a life changing course - amidst a pandemic.
Be i...2021-02-011h 10Such a Gorgeous Paradox"We're all kind of learning together." - Hayley SouthernHayley Southern is a Dramatherapist who is committed to promoting inclusion and visibility. She runs a private practice and has experience of working with a variety of client groups including adoption, addiction, forensics, LGBTQ+ community, education, and with people with physical and learning disabilities. Hayley regularly facilitates CPD training for health professionals, and also contributed to the Dramatherapy Journal (LGBTQ+ Special Edition). She is due to publish a chapter about Dramatherapy in special education.
"I am Such a Woman: The Complexities of Being a Bisexual Dramatherapist", in Dramatherapy 2018
Be in touch: suchagorgeousparadox@gmail.com
...2021-01-2550 minSuch a Gorgeous Paradox"To explore all the possibilities." - Georgina WilkinsonGeorgina Wilkinson is a Dramatherapist, who qualified in 2017 from the University of Derby.
Since qualifying, Georgina has worked predominantly in education and charitable sectors, supporting Young People and Families. Today, although not solely, Georgina works largely with the LGBTQ+ community. Alongside her therapeutic work, Georgina also contributes to ongoing conversations and discussion regarding the LGBTQ+ community in the therapy world. This is both through her written research into Dramatherapy and Gender, as well as her ongoing support in BADth’s ‘LGBTQ+ Matters’ group (part of the Inclusion & Visibility Subcommittee), which also works in association with the wi...2021-01-181h 00Such a Gorgeous Paradox"I'm here for a reason." - Kairo MaynardKairo is currently a HCPC registered Dramatherapist working in a NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service.
Since her therapy training, her main interests and the driving force for her work focus on intergenerational trauma and attachment, racial injustice and health inequalities which she has spoken and written about on a number of occasions. Alongside her therapy work, she is the Equality and Diversity Lead for her service and is passionate about improving access to mental health services for Black and other marginalised communities, whilst also advocating for further inclusion and visibility of Black, Asian and...2021-01-111h 06Such a Gorgeous ParadoxSeason 1 - The Drama of Being a TherapistIn this episode, I talk about the season ahead. This series of episodes will focus on Dramatherapy, a form of psychotherapy which uses elements of drama in its support of mental health difficulties, trauma, and personal growth. I briefly share my journey into the profession and all the things I have done since qualifying as a therapist, particularly my role within The British Association of Dramatherapists' Inclusion & Visibility Subcommittee.
References:
The British Association of Dramatherapists
Health Care Professions Council
Ryan Campinho Valadas, "From isolation towards intimacy: healing emotional wounds in HIV+ gay men"
Alice...2021-01-0816 minSuch a Gorgeous ParadoxIntro - "Life is such a good conversation"Welcome to Such a Gorgeous Paradox! My name is Ryan and I will be your host.
In this brief episode, I cover my inspiration and intentions for the podcast, and a little bit about myself.
References:
Ocean Vuong, "A Life Worthy of Our Breath" in On Being with Krista Tippet
Ocean Vuong, On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous
Mark Thompson, Gay Soul: Finding the Heart of Gay Spirit and Nature
Be in touch: suchagorgeousparadox@gmail.com
Instagram: @ryan.therapyspace
2021-01-0815 min