Normalcy, Nuance & Narratives
with Laura Scarrone Bonhomme
About this episode
In episode ten of Self Matters, host Charlie Wells interviews Laura Scarrone Bonhomme, a Consultant Clinical Psychologist specialising in gender, sexual, and relationship diversity. Laura shares insights on the societal and psychological challenges faced by trans individuals, critiques restrictive labels, and calls for systemic healthcare changes.
About the guest
Laura Scarrone Bonhomme
Laura Scarrone Bonhomme (she/her) is a Consultant Psychologist specialised in gender, sexual and relationship diversity. She trained and developed her career internationally, working in Spain, Chile, and the United Kingdom. Laura delivers psychotherapy, assessment, and supervision, and she frequently provides public speaking and training. Laura is co-founder of Affirm (www.affirm.lgbt) an online training platform dedicated to providing training on gender-affirming care to healthcare providers. Laura was Associate Editor of Counselling Psychology Review, the journal of the British Psychological Society (BPS). She has authored ‘Gender Dysphoria and The Mirror: A Mediator Between the First Person and Third Person Perspective’; the chapter ‘The Age of Rediscovery: What is Like to Gender Transition When You Are 50+’, and the book ‘Gender Affirming Therapy: A Guide to What Transgender and Non-Binary Clients Can Teach Us’. Laura is a Committee Member of the Psychology of Sexualities Section of the BPS, a Member of the British Association of Gender Identity Specialists, and a member of World Professional Association for Transgender Health. Laura is part of the HM Courts & Tribunals Service List of Specialists in the Field of Gender Dysphoria
Episode transcript & chapters
Join host Charlie Wells on Self Matters as he interviews Laura Scarrone Bonhomme, a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Author specialising in gender, sexual, and relationship diversity. This episode traces Laura's remarkable career, from providing aid to earthquake victims in Chile to her impactful work in the UK advocating for gender diversity. Explore her experiences at London's NHS Gender Identity Clinic and her efforts in redefining notions of 'normalcy' within mental health services. The discussion also emphasises the importance of personalised care for trans individuals and the necessity of comprehensive training for healthcare professionals.
00:08 Meet Laura Scarrone Bonhomme
01:16 Laura's Early Life and Interest in Psychology
03:30 Challenges and Learning in Chile
08:17 Transition to the UK and New Opportunities
10:03 Understanding Gender, Sexual, and Relationship Diversity
18:25 The Importance of Labels and Language
20:57 Gender and Medicine: A Complex Relationship
28:01 Training and Bias in Therapy
31:59 Insights from the Book
37:29 Eradicating Normal
