Siobhán Fergus Evans

Thesis title: Psychotherapeutic Applications of Trans Theory

Biography

Background

Siobhán Fergus Evans is a PhD candidate and researcher working at the intersection of trans studies, psychotherapy, and creative writing. She is a Doctoral College Scholar at the University of Edinburgh in the Department of Counselling, Psychotherapy and Applied Social Sciences, where her research focuses on applications of queer and trans theory within psychotherapeutic contexts. More specifically, Siobhán is interested in how how the literary form of autotheory can be used not only as a particularly trans research methodology but also as a therapeutic tool in and of itself, in that it can allow for meaning-making and a way of constituting oneself (whilst also creating space for uncertainty and ambiguity) and thus, could present an alternative to hegemonic psychotherapeutic practices which privilege notions of external expertise and realist notions of a bounded, knowable self. In addition to her work as a researcher, Siobhán has worked as a tutor and workshop facilitator across a range of settings. Siobhán is a Tutor at the University of Edinburgh in the School of Health and Social Science where she has taught at both the graduate and postgraduate level, and is a Visiting Tutor on the London Diploma in Psychosexual and Relationship Therapy - an NVQ Level 7  (SCQF Level 11 equivalent) training programme for psychotherapists accredited by Middlesex University. Siobhán is also a critically acclaimed, multi-award winning writer and interdisciplinary artist as well as a BACP registered psychotherapist and clinical supervisor.

Qualifications

 

  • PGDip Existential Psychotherapy | The New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling 
  • Diploma Integrative Psychotherapy & Counselling | The Minster Centre
  • MA Gender, Sexuality & Culture | University of Manchester
  • BA Gender & Sexuality Studies | Georgia State University

Responsibilities & affiliations

  • Registered Member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP 390952)
  • Founding Member of the Trans and Trans Allied Network of Existential Psychotherapists
  • Former Vice Chair of the Society of Psychotherapy

Undergraduate teaching

Tutor, Mental Health and Society(SHSS08007)

Postgraduate teaching

Tutor, Reflexivity: Rethinking subjectivity in practice and research (CNST11094)

Research summary

  • queer theory
  • trans theory
  • autotheory
  • existential psychotherapy
  • autoethnography
  • postqualitative research methods
  • queer praxis
  • spoken word
  • live art

Papers delivered

"The Beds We Make: An Autotheoretical Inquiry Into Gender and Class Identities", The Society for Qualitative Inquiry in Psychology Conference, Boston College, 14-16 June 2024

 

"More Than Methodology: Autotheory and Trans Alternatives to Talk Therapy", 2nd Annual Trans Studies Conference, Northwestern University, 4-7 September 2024

 

"We're Undone By Each Other: Notes on Being a Trans Therapist", TransCare Conference, University College Cork, 13-14 September 2024

 

"Site of Oppression, Site of Liberation: The Politics of Psychotherapy", En-Gender Annual Conference, online, 28-30 September 2024

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