Meet the Therapist: Jubriel Hanid

Jubriel Hanid is a therapist in Brighton and online

What attracted you to become a therapist?

It's a well-trodden path, but I think I was attracted to become a therapist through trying to understand myself and my own personal struggles. I did a psychology degree, but I felt I was too young and inexperienced at that point, so after a corporate career and periods of therapy for work-related stress, I decided to train and help others in the way that I was helped.

Where did you train?

I trained at TA East London Institute. TA East is a unique training centre in the East London. It was set up in 2018, by Victoria Baskerville, and was originally based in Leytonstone Library, so very much at the heart of the community. It is unique in that social activism and anti-oppression are themes that are integrated throughout the training. Being more socially, culturally and politically aware, has enriched my practice, enabling me to confidentially connect with whoever may walk through the door.

Can you tell us about the type of therapy you practise?

I practice transactional analysis TA . The ideas are very accessible, making for potential easy wins at the beginning of therapy. More long-term work can lead to real change as we help clients to uncover how and why they are who they are, so that they can make more informed decisions, have more satisfying life experiences and fewer regrets.

How does transactional analysis help in relationships?

TA lends itself well to relationship work.

In an argument with your partner, if you criticise them, you could be repeating what you learnt as a child of what to do in an argument with someone who is weaker than you a parent criticising a child .

If you feel criticised, you maybe experiencing how you felt as that child.

Either way, your childhood experience is colouring your present day experience.

Knowing this gives you the option to try something different, rather than repeating an approach that hasn't worked in countless previous arguments.

What sort of people do you usually see?

I see people from 18 upwards, with a range of issues, including relationships, stress, sexuality, neurodivergence and bereavement.

I also volunteer with Victim Support where I work with people who have been bereaved through homicide, and I mentor students at the University of Brighton.

Have you noticed any recent mental health trends or wider changes in attitude?

Social media seems to have opened therapy up to younger people and there seem to be more people in their twenties seeking out therapy. When I was in my twenties, things seemed very different. There was stigma around mental health struggles, and the process seemed more formal, i.e. attached to a diagnosis. You wouldn't necessarily have sought out a therapist because you felt awful and just wanted to feel better, especially if you seemed to have what was expected from a successful life, such as job and friends.

What do you like about being a therapist?

I like connecting with people. I work in a very relational way. The relationship is of paramount importance to me.

What is less pleasant?

Marketing and credit control!

How long have you been with Welldoing and what you think of us?

I have been with Welding for six months. I like the ethos of the company. It seems small and local and I get support from a person I feel gets me and I can relate to. I am yet to try out the CPD sessions, but I do intend to. They look interesting and it's a valuable opportunity to fill a knowledge gap.

What books have been important to you in terms of your professional and personal development? Do you ever recommend books to clients?

These were all recommended to me, and I would be happy to recommend them on:

• Ten Steps to Positive Living by Windy Dryden
• Getting the Love You Want by Harville Hendrix
• The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
• Why Love Matters by Sue Gerhardt

What you do for your own mental health?

Learning has been good for my mental health. I trained as a yoga teacher, learnt to sail and have recently qualified as an advanced motorcycle rider.

You are a therapist in Brighton. What can you share with us about seeing clients in this area?

Brighton has a reputation for creativity and my clients are actually all very creative people, which is great to work with, and, in fact, a goal of therapy, is to promote creativity and problem solving.

What's your consultation room like?

I see people in the front room of my flat. It is a peaceful space, with neutral colours, plants and pictures of various landscapes. You can choose to get your inspiration from the the forest scene with sunlight coming through the trees, or the West Pier, which is actually five minutes away, if you want the real thing. There is also a chaise longue, which is nicer to look at than to lie on, although you're welcome to try, if you like!

What do you wish people knew about therapy?

Some people are afraid of what they might find when they start digging. You are unlikely to find out anything that you don't already know on some level, and the process of discovery tends to be more of a gentle unravelling.

What did you learn about yourself in therapy?

I've learnt loads, but it's not about that for me. Therapy has been life-changing. I feel more myself and that I am more able to deal with what life throws at me. I can keep problems in perspective, which means I spend less time in distress and more time living.

Contact Jubriel here

Meet more Welldoing therapists