Deaf4Deaf

07/06/2026

Incredible work by

This powerful Photovoice exhibition shines a light on the rich and diverse experiences of d/Deaf people, exploring identity, belonging, communication, wellbeing, resilience, and connection.

Through photographs and personal stories, participants share what it means to navigate between Deaf and hearing worlds, the challenges of misunderstanding and exclusion, and the often invisible effort involved in everyday communication. At the same time, the exhibition highlights hope, growth, self-advocacy, community, and the many ways d/Deaf people find strength, pride, and belonging.

The themes remind us that wellbeing is not simply the absence of struggle. It is an ongoing journey shaped by identity, relationships, accessibility, recognition, and opportunities to be fully ourselves.

Photovoice is so important because it allows people to tell their own stories in their own way. Rather than speaking about d/Deaf people, this exhibition creates a space where d/Deaf voices, experiences, and perspectives are seen, valued, and understood.

I encourage everyone to visit this exhibition, reflect on the stories shared, and consider how we can create a world where d/Deaf people are recognised, included, and able to thrive.

05/06/2026

Looking forward to this workshop on Family, parenting and CODA dynamics. Weds 10th June 7-8.30pm
Book your place.

Deaf-initely Women

04/06/2026

This is heartbreaking to watch.

People often ask why there are so few Deaf counsellors and psychotherapists.

The answer is not a lack of ability. It is a lack of access.

The system is broken.

Many counselling and psychotherapy training courses remain inaccessible to Deaf people. Interpreters are often unavailable, underfunded, or viewed as an optional extra rather than an essential requirement.

Training is designed around hearing norms. Client hours are frequently recorded and assessed through spoken recordings rather than signed video. Assessments are often conducted by hearing assessors with little understanding of Deaf culture, Deaf identity, language deprivation, or the complexities of working bilingually between BSL and English.

The barriers do not stop at qualification.

Finding Deaf-aware placements is difficult. Finding Deaf supervisors is even harder. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities are rarely accessible. Many Deaf trainees are left navigating a profession that was never designed with them in mind.

Then there is the reality of working within a small community. Confidentiality concerns, mistrust, gossip, overlapping relationships, and fears about privacy can make both training and practice more complex than many hearing professionals realise.

Too often, Deaf therapists are expected to depend on interpreters throughout training and professional development. Therapy is fundamentally relational. Adding a third person into every interaction changes the dynamic and creates additional barriers that hearing trainees never have to face.

The result?

Not enough Deaf therapists.
Not enough Deaf supervisors.
Not enough Deaf trainers.
Not enough Deaf role models.

And the cost is paid by Deaf people who are struggling.

Many are left taking silent steps through grief, trauma, anxiety, depression, abuse, loneliness, and mental health difficulties without access to a therapist who truly understands their language, culture, and lived experience. Too many carry their pain alone because the support they need simply does not exist or is inaccessible when they reach out.

This is not just a workforce issue. It is a mental health crisis.

When Deaf people cannot access training, the profession loses Deaf therapists. When the profession loses Deaf therapists, Deaf people lose access to culturally and linguistically appropriate support. The cycle continues, generation after generation.

The profession talks about inclusion, but inclusion is not simply opening the door. It is removing the barriers that stop people from reaching the door in the first place.

Until training, placements, supervision, CPD, and professional assessment become genuinely accessible, the shortage of Deaf therapists will continue.

The problem is not Deaf people.

The problem is a system that was never built with Deaf people in mind.

UKCP National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

02/06/2026

EMDR Appointments Available

I now have some additional availability for EMDR therapy.

EMDR can help if you are affected by:

Trauma
Anxiety
Low confidence
Grief and loss
Distressing memories
Feeling "stuck" in life

Sometimes past experiences continue to affect us without us realising it. EMDR helps the brain process these experiences, reducing emotional distress and helping you move forward.

Many people find EMDR helps them understand themselves better, make sense of past experiences, and feel more in control of their lives.

If you would like to know more or book an appointment, please get in touch.

Victoria Nelson
[email protected] or [email protected]

UKCP Psychotherapist & EMDR Therapist
Deaf4Deaf Counselling & Psychotherapy 💙

29/05/2026

Come & join this free Deaf-initely workshop!

June 10th 7pm- 8.30pm



Victoria is running an upcoming workshop called:

“Family, Parenting & CODA dynamics”

This workshop for Deaf, Deaf blind and HOH women will explore things like:

* CODA dynamics
* emotional responsibility placed on children
* communication barriers within families
* boundaries, parenting, and breaking cycles

Many of us grew up being the interpreter, the peacemaker, or the responsible one — carrying things that were never really ours to carry.

Together, we’ll reflect on questions like:
“What role did I play in my family?”
“What do I want to do differently moving forward?”

This is not about blame — it’s about awareness, healing, and understanding ourselves with more compassion.

You do not need to be a parent to attend.

I’d really love for you to join us.

Join Vicky Nelson — Founder & Managing Director of Deaf4Deaf Ltd & DisabilityPlus, UKCP Registered CTA Psychotherapist, and EMDR Therapist — for an insightful online Zoom session exploring family roles, parent-child dynamics (CODA), and breaking intergenerational patterns.

In this session, participants will:
✨ Understand how family roles have shaped them
✨ Recognise patterns they may wish to change
✨ Feel empowered to parent — or relate to others — differently

Book your space online today and take the next step towards understanding, growth, and positive change. 💜

Book here: Family, Parenting and CODA dynamics

Date: 10 jun • 19:00

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/family-parenting-and-coda-dynamics-tickets-1989901960330?aff=ebdsshother&utm_share_source=listing_android&sg=8c9ca6add165cd5084bda0bacc197c245b204eaae232fcd47c49d240ef493857bbffad452671594398092e864c6c23ae88f790858f09ceadfa53dc3a7384cccf2d1318e43803701ffa09806a4b

21/05/2026

What if there is nothing wrong with you? 🌱

I recently read an article about existential therapist Emmy van Deurzen, and one message really stood out:

Sometimes our struggles are not signs that we are broken. They are signs that we are human.

As Deaf people, many of us have experienced:
Feeling left out
Communication barriers
Loneliness and isolation
Family misunderstandings
Audism and discrimination
Grief for what we missed growing up

It can be easy to think:
“Why am I struggling?”
“What is wrong with me?”

A different question might be:

“What has happened to me?”
“What have I had to carry?”
“What gives my life meaning?”

Life includes loss, uncertainty, change, and difficult emotions. Therapy is not always about getting rid of these experiences. Sometimes it is about understanding them, finding meaning, and learning how to move forward with greater self-compassion.

At Deaf4Deaf, we believe many Deaf people’s difficulties are not simply individual problems. They are often connected to experiences of language deprivation, exclusion, barriers, and living in a world not designed for Deaf people.

You are not broken.

Your experiences make sense.

And you do not have to carry them alone. 💙

Her philosophical approach to therapy has become a global phenomenon, and inspired a new book. Could a session with her change Sophie McBain’s life?

17/05/2026

This Deaf Awareness Week, we’re proud to see lived experience drive crucial improvements -changing lives and winning awards in the process💙

A project inspired by the experiences of Isaac, a young deaf man from Cornwall, has received an NHS Excellence Award for improving patient involvement and choice.

Working in partnership, the deaf community, NHS Cornwall, Diabetes UK, and Hearing Loss Cornwall, have created British Sign Language diabetes advice videos, making information more accessible for deaf people.

Too often, deaf people face barriers to healthcare and can feel excluded from vital information and support. This project shows what’s possible when their voices are listened to and placed at the heart of progress.

Chris Gould, who’s deaf and lives with type 2 diabetes, said: “Including sign language means so much to the deaf community and allows a far more inclusive service.”
You can access a range of diabetes information in different languages, including BSL, here: https://orlo.uk/uSy2z

17/05/2026

Today is International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Lesbophobia and Transphobia.

Being LGBTQIA+ is not a mental health problem.
And it does not cause mental health problems.
But discrimination does.

We all have a responsibility to stand against it.

You should never be treated differently for who you are, how you identify, or who you love.

If you have experienced homophobia, biphobia, lesbophobia or transphobia, take a look at some of the support on our website. It includes information for each community within the LGBTQIA+ acronym.

17/05/2026

🗣️ LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE AT THE BACK 🗣️

17/05/2026

Perhaps you’re taking action this by speaking to a counsellor for the first time 🤍

That step can feel big, unfamiliar, or even overwhelming – so here are some questions you can save for later, ask in a first session, or share with someone else who might be thinking about getting support too.

Because feeling informed and supported can make reaching out feel a little less daunting.