Social therapy developed as a movement to transform psychotherapy into an antifascist, anti-colonial practice during World War II at the Saint-Alban Psychiatric Hospital in France by François Tosquelles and others.
This contemporary practice, created by Deanne Bell, PhD, is designed to support people working toward liberation in the 21st-century.
My approach
I have witnessed the psychological damage caused by social forces that have control over our lives. And I know the power of being able to work through, psychologically, what holds us back from experiencing freedom.
As a licenced counselling psychologist in the UK with a PhD in depth psychology focusing on liberation psychology I blend a humanistic psychotherapy approach with anticolonial philosophy and practices.
I have taught critical psychology at Antioch College, USA, University of East London and Nottingham Trent University in the UK and critical pedagogy at the University of Birmingham in the UK.
My publications on psychological suffering in the colonial world and possibilities for social transformation are available.
Ways of working together
Psychotherapy
Become a Client
Social Therapy offers individual and group psychotherapy to people in the UK and globally, both online and in person.
Sliding scale fees are available based on need.
Liberation Psychology Psychoeducation
Become a Community Member
From monthly free online liberation psychology study groups to workshops and short courses and our annual liberation psychology summer school we engage in learning together using the pracitce of psychoeducation to deepen our understanding of psychological and social impediments to human freedom.
You do not have to be a client of Social Therapy to engage in community events. All are welcome.
Supervision, Consultation & CPDs
Become a Colleague
Individual supervision, group supervision and consultation from a social therapy perspective are available for people working in the helping professions including psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists, counsellors and social workers.
Continuing professional development (CPDs) are offered throughout the year for health care professionals interested in developing their therapeutic practice anticolonially.
Collaborations
Become a Collaborator
I collaborate with communities, groups and organisations who are engaged in socially transformative, anticolonial work.
Free Liberation Psychology Study Group
Liberation psychology is the struggle for and practice of freedom from colonising forces in the social world.
Our free study group meets online every 3rd Thursday of the month from 6-8 pm (UK time) to learn together.
Although participating in this study group may compliment the work you do in individual or group social therapy there is no requirement for you to be in therapy to join this group.
All are welcome.
Contact Me
Deanne Bell, PhD
