Why Take Therapy Out Of The Clinic And Into The Heart Of Our Marginalised Communities? Jay Perkins

Interview with Jane O'Rourke for www.mindinmind.org.uk
After struggling to find a way to support marginalised, stigmatised and excluded children, young people and families from within the mental health system, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist, Jay Perkins has recently done something different, he’s taken his therapeutic work outside of clinics and with colleagues formed Partisan. They partner with communities with the aim of understanding what the local mental health challenges are and develop trauma-informed approaches which are more attuned to their needs.
Jay Perkins trained as a Child, Adolescent, and Family Psychodynamic Psychotherapist at The Tavistock and Portman. In his work he draws on his clinical training, as well as his youth work background, systemic ideas, other relational and mentalization-based approaches, and trauma specific treatment (EMDR). He has 14 years experience supporting children, young people and families, and is best known for his work alongside communities; co-producing highly flexible trauma-informed support outside of clinics and addressing structural and systemic discrimination in a bid to make mental health service accessible for everyone. Head to www.partisanuk.org to find out more.

Go to www.mindinmind.org.uk to read Jay's written Thought Piece about how marginalised young people and families can be helped by mental health practitioners supporting community initiatives.