Helen Pitman

I trained as a child and adolescent psychotherapist after 25 years of being a primary school teacher. Since qualifying as a child and adolescent psychotherapist, I have worked within schools, for charities and also in private practice.
The feelings of the meta crisis began to land in my body about 10 years ago. This was overwhelming and led me to activism. Since then, I have explored, read widely, and become an active member of CPA. I am still an activist but I believe there are many forms of activism, that self-care and reflective space, can be forms of activism too. I believe we are nature too and taking care of our own eco-systems is important as part of the larger eco-system.

The troubled times we are living within which include climate change, war, the rise of the far right, AI, and systemic inequality are especially hard to navigate. It can be difficult to ask for help and see beyond our immediate distress, helplessness, sadness, and rage.
The big feelings that arise within us are a healthy response to the meta crisis, navigating these feelings alone is tricky. Relationships are vital to us as humans, we are social creatures. I offer a non-judgmental space and listening ear which can help you to feel understood, deeply witnessed and accompanied so that you know you are not alone.
Power and privilege are integral to the meta crisis. They operate within structural systems and relationships. Power leads to privilege which can seep into our lives and operate often silently normalising experience and othering those that don’t align with this perceived ‘normal’. I acknowledge my own white body privilege and I welcome and allow space to explore intersectionality through both a wider lens and through the therapeutic relationship. I recognise that the impact of the meta crisis will affect the younger generations more than the current older generations and this can feel like a deep betrayal.  

I work with young people, adults, and parents. I have completed a diploma in Eco-psychotherapy this has helped me begin to navigate my own feelings around the meta crisis. It has opened up creative approaches which can support when we are struggling with allowing joy, respite, and play into their lives. Through the CPA, I have worked with people struggling with eco-anxiety, eco-distress and burn out from being involved in activism. I have been involved in the youth support team for a few years and held youth support spaces. I am now a member of the CPA board.

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