The disabilities group - a year in review
by LJ
The Disabilities SIG - a special interest group formed by and for disabled therapists (including student therapists) who are members of either tPCA or PCT Scotland (link opens in new window), has been co-hosted by Paula Williams (PCT Scotland and tPCA) and LJ Potter (tPCA) for just under three years now. Coming into the new year we thought we’d give a run down of the group and our aims and invite people who might fit, to join us.
We aim to give a space where people who either identify as disabled, or who could be (or are) positioned as disabled (whatever your self-identification), a space to come and be, along with others who are in similar positions. We make no distinction about what type of disability one has (and indeed, lots of us have more than one), although there is also a separate group for neurodivergent practitioners (link opens a new window) that members are also welcome to join.
We have an email list, which is very quiet, but where conversation is welcome, a WhatsApp group (similar) and we meet every 2 months on Zoom. Historically this has been on a Thursday night from 6.30-8, as this is when both of us can make it, and as disabled therapists it’s helpful for us to not have to be managing the group alone each time. The group is very much open for whatever amount of time people can make within that time boundary - no need to stay for the whole time if that’s not preferable!
We have a small core group of members who come every time, and others who drop in and out on a regular basis given other life needs and commitments. All are welcome who would fit our inclusion criteria.
Our conversations fluctuate across topics. Sometimes we are simply a group of people chatting about life, who happen to have some kind of disability. Sometimes we are talking about the way in which disability (or, society) impacts our lives in various ways. There’s no expectation that we will come to the group to talk about disability in any way, and at the same time, the space is there for that conversation if that’s what’s desired in the moment.
Over the last year we’ve had between 4-8 people come to each session, and we’ve discussed various topics from how disability impacts us, to our thoughts around models of disability, to person-centredness, and general counselling topics.
We are a small but welcoming group, and if you are a disabled therapist looking for a low-key way to meet other therapists, perhaps we are one of the places you can be, and have that community.
If you’d like to join us, and you’re a member of PCT Scotland and/or tPCA, please email