Maryam Riaz is a Muslim BACP-accredited psychotherapist and senior lecturer at Leeds Beckett University. In this interview with Robbie Curtis, she shares her unique experiences navigating the world of psychotherapy training and academia and the relevance of social justice for counselling training and practice, a current Leeds Beckett counselling student.

As the only person of colour during her counselling training and the first person of colour to open a private practice in Bradford city centre, Maryam shares some of her experiences of racism and prejudice, and advocates for all counselling and psychotherapy training providers to embed themes of social justice and societal discrimination into their training programmes. Maryam offers perspective on working within a hospital chaplaincy team in Bradford, where she collaborated to enhance cultural and faith awareness in mental health settings. She brings to light how her foundations in Islamic psychotherapy have shaped her integrative approach, blending spirituality and pastoral care seamlessly into her practice.

The podcast explores the role of liberation psychology in personal and professional growth. Maryam discusses the need for therapists to address internalized oppression and biases, as detailed in her chapter ‘Social Justice Informed Therapy and Racially Minoritised Individuals’, co-authored with Nahid Nasrat, in ‘The Handbook of Social Justice in Psychological Therapies: Power, Politics and Change’ (Sage, 2023). Maryam highlights the challenges and opportunities of working in diverse yet often segregated communities, advocating for systemic change through genuine collaboration and inclusion. In going beyond tokenistic approaches to diversity, Maryam emphasises the necessity of empathy and non-judgmental support in creating a more inclusive therapeutic environment. In academia, Maryam illuminates the importance of merging academic research with community engagement to drive social justice and systemic change.

Maryam shares her insights on how diverse representation in education enriches learning experiences and prepares students for real-world applications. With a focus on social justice, Maryam emphasises the impact of diverse voices in education, and shows how embracing these differences can foster significant personal and professional growth for students.

This Podcast is sponsored by Onlinevents

What if your identity is a tapestry of diverse threads, each contributing to a complex, vibrant whole? This episode invites you to uncover the intricate intersections of queerness and autism with our insightful guest, Danny, an autistic and queer existential coach. Danny's journey of self-discovery as a queer person with a late autism diagnosis sheds light on the unique experiences of feeling like an outsider while embracing the strengths and challenges of neurodivergence. Through personal stories and reflections, we explore the nuanced overlap of queer and autistic identities, emphasizing the richness and authenticity they bring to life.
Our conversation delves into the intertwining nature of gender and sexual identities, examining concepts like "autigender" and the impact of societal pressures. With poignant narratives from the restrictive era of Section 28 in the UK, we discuss the complexities of navigating identity amidst homophobic bullying and varying societal acceptance. Danny shares their experiences in academia and coaching, highlighting the importance of visibility and representation for marginalized communities. By critically examining traditional perspectives and incorporating subjective experiences, we consider how educational programs can evolve to embrace inclusivity and diversity.

We also tackle broader societal issues, such as internalized stigma and the responsibilities we all share in fostering understanding and safety for marginalized groups. Danny guides us through the political landscape, exploring the potential for progressive change and the crucial role empathy plays in bridging divides. This episode challenges us to engage with diverse viewpoints and advocate for inclusive, meaningful dialogues. With a focus on promoting social change through empathy, we aim to inspire listeners to embrace a more inclusive and authentic approach to understanding identity.

This Podcast is sponsored by Onlinevents

CW: Suicide, trauma, abandonment, sexual abuse, alcoholism, rape, slavery, self-harm, homophobia.

What happens when privilege, trauma, and leadership intersect within the walls of a boarding school? We invite you to join our compelling conversation with Tom Greaves, Piers Cross, and Jonny Lovett, as they unravel their personal journeys through the labyrinthine world of boarding education. This episode challenges the notion of resilience, questioning whether the experiences of isolation, bullying, and the emotional voids left by early separation can be classified as trauma. We explore the ways these experiences shape leaders, with figures like Boris Johnson and Donald Trump as potential case studies shaped by their past.

The emotional landscape of boarding school life is vast and complex, leaving indelible marks on personal relationships and emotional development. Our guests recount stories of betrayal, isolation, and the struggle to express emotions while reconciling privilege with vulnerability. These narratives illuminate a cycle of trauma that transcends generations, with familial bonds often strained by the experiences of being sent away. As we discuss the broader societal implications, we examine how ingrained behaviors from such privileged backgrounds can hinder authenticity and connection in adulthood.

Throughout our discussion, we address the psychological impacts of boarding school, including the strategic survival personalities cultivated within these institutions. The conversation delves into class disdain and the societal disconnects perpetuated by such education systems. With anecdotes from public figures like Richard Branson and Bear Grylls, we shed light on the long-lasting effects of these formative years. As our guests share their paths to healing, we emphasize the importance of addressing these deeply rooted issues for both personal and societal transformation, highlighting ongoing projects aimed at fostering understanding and change.

One of our panelists touches on themes of homophobia. Whilst this was not explicitly explored or condemned, the TaSC network and all those involved in the podcast do not support homophobic views or beliefs of any kind.

You can find out more about our chair and panelists here:

Connect with Ester on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ester-wheeler-458a55167?originalSubdomain=uk

Jonny's private practice website: https://springtidescotland.com/

The trailer for Piers’ upcoming documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stMvUcsZzlM

Follow Tom to keep up to date with his upcoming show about male friendships: https://www.instagram.com/tdrgreaves/?hl=en

Resources mentioned in the episode (books unless otherwise stated):

Judith Herman, Trauma and Recovery

Nick Duffell, The Making of Them & Boarding School Survivor Workshops

Suzanne Zeedyk, The Connected Baby - 2011 Documentary

Richard beard, Sad Little Men

If… – 1968 Film

Jennifer Freyd, Betrayal Trauma: Logic of Forgetting Childhood Abuse: The Logic of Forgetting Childhood Abuse

Joy Schaverien, Boarding school: the trauma of the ‘privileged’ child

Richard Branson, Losing My Virginity

Bear Grylls, Mud, Sweat and Tears

John Peel, Margrave of the Marshes

David Niven, The Moon’s A Balloon

Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know

Ranulph Fiennes, Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know

Fight Club – 1999 Film

David Cameron, For the Record

This Podcast is sponsored by Onlinevents