Anyone following the James Esses vs UKCP test case?

[WomenShouldWinWomensSports]

Just seen this on DM website. So far he has won the right to sue and the therapeutic approach to gender seems to be the central issue: www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11331573/Ex-barrister-wins-right-sue-kicked-degree-gender-critical-views.html
What happens next? Do they wait months and months for another hearing or do they tend to happen quite fast once the preliminary has reached court?

Sparkly, I'm so sorry.

Does this 'see me' request give you dread or worry?

Heres my twopenneth

You gave examples of reasonable concern shared by many HCP's ...even if regulators and Trusts either disagree... or a slow to revise guidance (in light of new evidence).

Feels too personal to have a chat in private. Your course leader has shared their trans status (presumably with the whole group). Their position is fixed and they will likely have strong views.

Increasingly service users, particularly if they are questioning, will look to you to help them make sense of conflicting information. Wouldn't it be sensible to air these conflicts? Particularly when you are in training? wouldnt your whole cohort benefit from a facilitated exploration of the materials/evidence?

At some point though every trans person has to make a decision, or take some action in their trans 'journey'... presumably this is based on their experience and the information they had at the time. What experience or peice of information finally tipped the scale for your tutor for example?

We can be confident that not everyone would make the same decisions, or take the same action, because....we are human. That is interesting to me, isnt that interesting to a psychologist? surely it is in these spaces that psychological therapy operates?

Frankly its not your fault that a whole host of other information is now widely known.

Annnnd they shouldn't be bending another students arm to hand over the names of people they disagree with

Suggest ignoring and reporting RealFeminist, who I suspect is nothing of the sort.

@Impossiblenurse

Thank you so much for your considered response. I, alongside other colleagues, have had other issues with the same tutor which is very power happy. I thinks it's absolutely unprofessional and unethical for them to be presurring someone to give a name from a private discussion that was had. A discussion where I was more than open to hear my colleagues side and read anything they sent me to ensure I understood by the sides of the coin. I actively attend seminars, read books, have joined both GC and TRA and their allies support and conversation groups so I can hear both sides of the debate - I am doing my due diligence. My distrust for this course lead which was aired in a professional development group, also supposedly confidential, was also disclosed to the same tutor. Confidentiality is the cornerstone of our profession and yet it has been breached. This person literally specializes in power dynamics but is known for throwing it around, with some of my colleagues suggesting they seem to target white middle aged women. This same person picked me up last year on a supposed confidentiality breach and yet here I am. I have tried (am trying) to ring fence this person, keep contact to academia only, but they just seem to push, and I'm not convinced it has anything to do with empathy or compassion. I just feel unsafe.

@Sparklybutold
Sorry, I'm mid thread, so this may get asked and responded to later.
But as I'm reading this now, I'm wondering if you've shared with those questioning you, the very recent ACP- UK piece of Cass?
I can link if need be but it's been posted on lots of threads.

It is hard to tell. RealFeminist is parodying Nicola Sturgeon, the self-described "real feminist" .

Yes I was going ti suggest the ACP UK thing, as it shows this is not settled and different practitioners have different views.

But Sparkly it sounds like you need some support and advice locally to you (not sure what country you're in) to protect your rights as a student. It sounds like it could escalate into a more serious situation and you could do with some knowledgeable advice about how to proceed.

Also, now I've caught up with the whole thread- just want to say I'm sorry you're dealing with this @Sparkly.
**
The hardest thing to try to make sense of, for me, is the capture of any of the physiologically informed fields- like psychotherapy.

These are the people who should know better; to be able to see the internal, interpersonal, and systemic dynamics at play, and to hold a big picture view.

Also, they hold the understanding that the only constant is change, that children and young people are moving through developmental stages, and that curiosity is a cardinal virtue in psychotherapeutic work.

Crucial too, is all psychotherapists understand the need to always be aware of blind spots.

It's shocking and terrifying to me. And deeply destabilising.

I feel for you, starting out your career in this environment.

If not already, I suggest following Gender a Wider.Lens podcast and You Must be Some Kind of Therapist' podcast, both on YouTube. To keep you feel sane and grounded in your integrity.

I agree. You need support if you can find some. It's lonely being an outlier and you need to look after your own mental health first and foremost

@DameMaud

I did send the CASS report but not the one you outlined (I've just red it though) - this is pretty much contains my side of the discussion. I have decided not to send any more info her way, especially with the tutor lead now being made aware of where I stand on this, which I fear may have been translated to I'm a transphobe.

@DameMaud

Thank you for the recommendations.

Sounds wise @Sparklybutold .
It does sound precarious at the moment and over-sending might be counterproductive.
Wiser than me! I think I may be guilty of that. I'm not in your position though. I'm at the end and bowing at gracefully so feels like less to lose

I believe that Real Feminist is indeed a parody.

Oh. So difficult to tell these days. Someone fairly recently sent me an open-mouthed in horror link to Titania McGrath...

I think the age of the 'child' is important allowing a young child who may not really know who they are yet undergo life changing surgery is not a good idea. Young adults (late teenage) should be able to decide, but I would want them to have counselling first. This is irreversible stuff and doesn't always have the desired effect physically or mentally.

Don’t be so ridiculous, ffs Therapy isn’t torture.
James is right and I hope he wins.

Absolutely, Helle. I think it's a rather brilliant one myself. The shouting, the stupidity, the claim to be a real feminist. I'd be gutted to be wrong. But either way, her posts do the job!

Private Eye fell for Titania a couple of years ago and I had to point out their error in a letter.

@Sparklybutold just reading your posts. I'm so sorry to hear this. Have you reached out to Thoughtful Therapists? That's James Esses group and its members are established therapists and trainees. Also Critical Therapy Antidote is worth a look at.

The shouting, the stupidity, the claim to be a real feminist. I'd be gutted to be wrong. But either way, her posts do the job!

I think the capitals are a strong indication. And the fact that the posts do seem rather pointed …
it requires some depth of knowledge to get the nuance right.

@RaininginDarling

Thanks for that. I've contacted thoughtful therapists and contacted James directly via twitter.

So James has just replied to my twitter message to him. I'll keep you posted. Thank you so much for your advice and solidarity. I'm just confused because I actually want there to be proper care available for trans people, exactly as I would for anyone and yet even mentioning the CASS report or other papers outlining the concerns for the meds used or mentioning how countries have stopped using puberty blockers, instigates a concern for my therapeutic integrity and safety? What!?!

Great to hear that James has been in touch. Yes, it is confusing that the "trans community" doesn't support the best care and outcomes for gender non-conforming children and adolescents.

Sparkly... good plan to get some support.

The dynamics here are really difficult. We cant ignore that this person is powerful with influence over your future ...and may be deriving some pleasure from this position ... that doesnt sit right (in the circumstances you describe). It sounds awful tbh. But dont let this person jeopardise your success.

There is no shame in a balance .... enough to maintain your own integrity and just enough to passify someone elses ego... so you can complete this course.

We need more open curious and connected therapists in practice.

Please tell me your course leader is not practicing?!

@Impossiblenurse

Yes they are practising.