Ever wondered what makes therapists... therapists?
Step into a world where mental health professionals become the storytellers, sharing their own raw, unfiltered journeys and insights.
Join hosts Michaela McCarthy and Dipti Solanki as they flip the script, turning candid conversations with fellow therapists into powerful revelations about the human experience - from both sides of the couch.
All content for A Bunch of Therapists is the property of A Bunch of Therapists and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Ever wondered what makes therapists... therapists?
Step into a world where mental health professionals become the storytellers, sharing their own raw, unfiltered journeys and insights.
Join hosts Michaela McCarthy and Dipti Solanki as they flip the script, turning candid conversations with fellow therapists into powerful revelations about the human experience - from both sides of the couch.
From Rock Bottom to Award-Winning Therapist | Ben Kaye | A Bunch of Therapists Podcast | Episode 14
A Bunch of Therapists
35 minutes 27 seconds
2 months ago
From Rock Bottom to Award-Winning Therapist | Ben Kaye | A Bunch of Therapists Podcast | Episode 14
This episode contains discussion around addiction, rehab, grooming, cuckoo'ing, and chemsex.🎧 Join us for an incredibly honest and inspiring conversation with counsellor and campaigner Ben Kaye as he shares his remarkable journey from addiction and breakdown to becoming an award-winning therapist specialising in LGBTQ+ substance misuse and chemsex support.This powerful episode reveals how life can completely change course twice - first when Ben's parents divorced at 15, derailing his university dreams, and again at 37 when a "tsunami of personal circumstances" led to his breakdown and recovery journey.Hosted by:Michaela McCarthy (Founder of The Awareness Centre, The Awareness Centre Training School, and Creator and Host of A Bunch of Therapists Podcast. Senior BACP Accredited Psychotherapist and Influential Leader) and Dipti Solanki (Therapist, Coach & Consultant, Mental Health Trainer and Founder of Grief Matters 4 All CIC).In this compelling episode, Ben openly shares:• How his parents' divorce at 15 changed his life trajectory overnight• Working in the City for 20+ years whilst feeling completely stuck• Using substances from age 15 to 37 as a way to change how he felt• His mental breakdown at 37 and the dangerous situations he found himself in• Walking through the doors of a Lambeth drug and alcohol service• His transformative three months in rehab in Bournemouth• Discovering he could retrain and pursue education for the first time since leaving school• Launching Dorset's first LGBTQ+ recovery groups and chemsex support services• Completing his counselling qualifications and psychology master's degreeThis profoundly moving conversation offers hope and practical guidance for anyone struggling with addiction, identity, or feeling trapped in their circumstances.🔍 Key Topics Discussed:• The impact of family breakdown on teenage development• Feeling stuck in careers that don't align with your true self• Substance use as emotional regulation and escape• The chemsex scene and its specific challenges• Finding culturally competent therapeutic support• The importance of being truly heard versus just listened to• How personal struggles can inform professional specialisation• Building LGBTQ+ specific services outside major cities• The difference between MSM (men who have sex with men) and gay identity• Practical advice on finding the right therapistChapters: 00:00 Intro 01:20 Parents' divorce and life derailment at 1505:30 Working in the City and feeling stuck09:00 Substance use as coping mechanism09:32 Mental breakdown at 3711:50 Accessing drug and alcohol services13:10 Rehab experience in Bournemouth13:30 Chemsex explanation14:45 Rehab in Bournemouth19:20 Mental Health & Being Believed20:14 Working in Drug & Alcohol Services as an Addictions Therapist20:29 Grooming & Cuckoo'ing20:50 LGTBQI Specific Therapy 22:58 Training to Become a Counsellor 23:20 Volunteering at a Drug & Alcohol Charity23:54 Launching the Charity's First LGBTQ Recovery Group24:52 Creating a Chemsex Drop In Clinic25:46 Launching the Charity's First LGBTQ Webchat Facility26:20 Therapy Training & Psychology Masters27:48 The Next Chapter in Ben's Journey & Returning to The Awareness Centre 28:57 Meeting Clients Where They Are 29:50 Shame Around Sex & Behaviours Around Sex and Finding The Right Therapist31:16 Male Prison Population & MSM 32:12 Ben's Message to Listeners Who Are Struggling32:40 Being Listened to vs. Feeling Heard35:00 Outro🎬 Watch full episodes of A Bunch of Therapists on our YouTube channel🎧 A Bunch of Therapists is available on all major podcast platforms🗓️ New episodes every ThursdayFollow A Bunch of Therapists on Social Media:YouTube: @ABunchofTherapistsTVTikTok: @a.bunch.of.therapistsInstagram: @abunchoftherapistsFacebook: A Bunch of TherapistsLinkedIn: A Bunch of Therapists#TherapyUK #LGBTQTherapy #AddictionRecovery #ChemsexSupport #MentalHealthUK #SubstanceMisuse #TherapyTraining #RecoveryStory
A Bunch of Therapists
Ever wondered what makes therapists... therapists?
Step into a world where mental health professionals become the storytellers, sharing their own raw, unfiltered journeys and insights.
Join hosts Michaela McCarthy and Dipti Solanki as they flip the script, turning candid conversations with fellow therapists into powerful revelations about the human experience - from both sides of the couch.
