Conference: Sexual Orientation & Gender: Let's Talk About It

Training from Iron Mill College

Course Details:

The understanding of sexual orientation, gender and identity has entered an age of social and political change and challenge, leading to an energetic upsurge in research, debate, awareness and action.

In the helping professions specifically, the constant development and testing of our emerging understanding within a rapidly developing environment, and exploration of unconscious bias, is central to safe, respectful and effective relational practice; this of course includes an understanding of ourselves in relation to others.

This challenging and inspiring conference brings together leading researchers, guest speakers and workshop facilitators who are knowledgeable and passionate about expanding vision and deepening understanding relating to gender and sexuality. They will share perspective and insights about what we as individual helping professionals, and the professions in general, need to identify and understand in order to practice well with clients.

There will be opportunity to listen and participate, share and question, to reflect upon personal identity and experience, social and political issues, and how this all impacts upon professional practice for us personally and the helping professions as a whole.

This conference has been primarily developed for those working or training within the helping professions: counsellors, psychotherapists, healthcare professionals, teachers, social workers, youth workers and more.

The day will be full of rich and varied opportunities to become more informed, confident and comfortable in exploring and talking about gender and sexuality issues with ourselves, each other and with our clients.

The conference will address political and social issues and research perspectives, as well as offering space to expand and deepen understanding through the sharing of personal and professional experiences.

Including Special Guest Keynote Speakers / Presenters:

• Jonny Benjamin MBE, Mental Health Campaigner
• Pamela Gawler-Wright, Psychotherapist & Clinical Trainer
• Liza Heatley, Specialist Psychotherapist
• Tina Hill-Art, Counsellor & Southwest LGBT+ Charity Advocate

A timely and beneficial 1 day conference at Iron Mill College in Exeter, examining the complexities surrounding sexual orientation and gender, and covering key topical issues of interest and debate within this important and growing field.

The conference includes an insightful and personal presentation from award-winning mental health campaigner, film producer, public speaker, writer and vlogger Jonny Benjamin MBE. Jonny will speak publicly about his own experience of living with a schizoaffective disorder diagnosis and about his early struggles with his sexuality.

Specialist contributions also come from Pamela Gawler-Wright, experienced Psychotherapist, Director of Training BeeLeaf, UKCP Diversities & Social Responsibility Committee Member and Clinical Associate at Pink Therapy.

Iron Mill College tutor and experienced therapist, Liza Heatley, will also give an explorative and thoughtful presentation and workshop.

Tina Hill-Art, representative from local LGBTQ+ charity Intercom Trust and director of Its All About You Wellbeing will offer a specific look at the support built for vulnerable groups in our community, through a keynote speech and workshop.

Who would benefit from attending?:

The conference will include opportunities for networking and discussion with other professionals with an interest in this field. The day will be of particular use to counsellors, psychotherapists, counselling or clinical psychologists, mental health or wellbeing professionals, nurses, doctors and other health professionals, teachers and others working in education, along with anyone else who would benefit personally and professionally from improving their understanding of gender and sexuality based mental health challenges.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided, as well as a certificate for 8 hours of CPD for attendees.

For further details and head over to the Iron Mill College