The Holding of the Rope: a workshop for therapists to witness and reflect.

Who is it for?

This workshop is suitable for any modality of counsellors, psychotherapists or psychologists, including trainees. It is for those who feel interested and able to step into a group setting to explore and reflect on experiences of personal development, attunement and body based subjectivity and how this intertwines with our therapeutic work and lives. We found in the previous delivery of this workshop it gave GSRD focused therapists a much needed opportunity to network and connect with likeminded others.

The workshop may also be beneficial for any therapists who would like to educate themselves further on Rope in order to adequately support their clients' journeys with this often misunderstood practice.

What to expect

In this interactive workshop, Joey will be sharing insights from their thesis 'A psychotherapist's narrative of coming together through the holding of Rope'. They will draw on examinations of how their personal development practice of Shibari, or Rope bondage, facilitated their embodiment and self awareness and thus their personal development as a psychotherapist. We are excited to bring this learning to life in a unique and carefully designed workshop which will give therapists an opportunity to reflect on our capacity to hold clients' feelings and deepen our embodied presence and knowledge.

There will be a live Rope demonstration that you are invited to witness, followed by an opportunity to collectively and creatively unpack what has been experienced. This is a non-sexual rope performance. Please note that no participants of the workshop will be tied or be tying anyone else, nor will the workshop instruct you in any way how to do so. We invite you to be in the role of active observer only.

Facilitator Bios

Dr Josephine Blomqvist Almbring (Joey) (she / her / they / them)

Joey is an Edinburgh based person-centred and psychodynamic psychotherapist working in private practice. Through their various therapeutic work and completing their doctorate, Joey specialises in working with trauma, substance use, embodiment and relational issues while also being passionate about working with GSRD (Gender, Sex and Relationship Diverse) clients.

Alison Wren (Ali) (she / her / they / them)

Ali is an integrative art psychotherapist who has been specialising in supporting and collaborating with GSRD clients for the last 15+ years. They have previously designed and delivered an award winning third sector LGBTQIA+ mental health project for 10 years and now predominantly work in private practice as a therapist, supervisor and educator. She is particularly interested in finding creative ways to support clients in their recovery from trauma, in addition to helping clients navigate the impact of internalised oppression.

Genktastic (she / her)

Genktastic has been practicing rope for over 10 years, both tying and being tied. She is a rope educator, event organiser and a member of her local rope community. Her rope practice focuses on connection, creativity and catharsis. Genktastic is also working in the mental health field and is passionate about holistic care.

Previous participants describe their experience of the workshop.

"Really appreciative of having reflective space, an artistic/creative space and of course the live demonstration - it was great to see things in action and integrate it."

"I loved the intimacy of the group, the structure, space for reflection, the knowledge and generosity of all three faciliators. The balance of the afternoon was spot on."

"I appreciate the space to connect with myself as it feels likes a resource."

"I loved thinking and talking about paralells with rope and therapy."

Bursary place

Thanks to the support of QUEERCIRCLE in hosting us, we are able to offer an entirely funded place to an LGBTQIA+ therapist who might not otherwise be able to afford to attend this event. We particularly encourage applications for this place from people from historically excluded groups. To request this, please email Ali [email protected] with a brief introduction to you as a practitioner outlining how you might use the learning from the workshop.

Event Venue

QUEERCIRCLE, 3 Soames Walk, London, United Kingdom