Dr Julian-Pascal Saadi and Erene Hadjiioannou - Queer Minds Queer Needs

Equal access to mental healthcare is a right held by all Britons, yet evidence suggests that individuals
from the LGBTQIA+ population have poorer experiences compared to cisgender and heterosexual
clients. This is problematic when considered alongside the impact of living in a societally
disempowering world.Research highlights how our mental health systems perpetuate harm to
LGBTQIA+ patients. One of these systems is the institution and practice of psychotherapy. We draw
on our three fold positionalities to explore what change in the practice of psychotherapy could look
like. Specifically, we consider what ‘Queering' psychotherapy might mean in order to support the
growing number of individuals identifying as LGBTQIA+. We also reflect on the binaries
underpinning our discipline and discuss their role in perpetuating harm during psychotherapy. We
propose that binary thinking restricts understanding our clients’ needs and generates insufficient
models of care. We advocate a practice of fluidity, rather than rigidity, to support equitable practice.
By ‘Queering’ psychotherapy provision in Britain, we contribute to the evidence base for antioppressive
and inclusive practice.

Dr Saadi (he/him) is a Specialist Counselling Psychologist working in a London-based Community
Mental Health Team (CMHT) within the National Health Services. He is also a part-time academic
lecturer on the Doctorate in Counselling Psychology at Metanoia Institute. Dr Saadi is a member of
Pink Therapy and specialises in working with gender, sexual and relationship diverse (GSRD) people.
He runs his own private practice where most of his clinical work is with the wider Queer
community.research interests include working with diverse sexualities and gender identities in the
therapeutic space. He is passionate about how to ‘Queer’ and diversify therapy to meet the needs of
Queer patients, particularly in the public healthcare system where therapy is often standardised
based on hetero- and cisnormative frameworks.

Erene Hadjiioannou (she/her) is an Integrative Psychotherapist offering psychotherapy, training,
speaking, and writing services via her private practice in Leeds. Her focus is on supporting survivors
of sexual violence of any gender, including within her latest publication: ‘Psychotherapy with
Survivors of Sexual Violence: Inside and Outside the Room’.
Knowing that the mental health system is largely inaccessible to many, including when it intersects
with legal systems, Erene acts on her social responsibility as a psychotherapist. In particular, she is
part of an independent steering group working to change the Crown Prosecution Service guidelines
on pre-trial therapy, and engages in activism and community support.