#16: Beth Fenton - Therapist

Beth Fenton is a qualified therapist living and working in York. Alongside their private therapy practice, they work for the local authority delivering workshops on mental health and wellbeing, and also teaches trainee counsellors at York Learning. Beth is particularly keen to address areas of social injustice through mental health support and to make therapy more accessible for everyone.In this episode we talk about the unexpected importance of friction, which becomes a theme we keep returning to.We discuss how capitalism promises a fulfilled life if you just work a little harder, and just put in a few more hours, and yet we know that no amount of material things prevents us from experiencing mental health problems which can undermine the whole idea of economic efficiency. We dig into the values behind Beth’s work, in particular an ethos around each-one-teach-one, and we also have a brief stop discussing the impact AI is having when trying to find local providers of services, such as mental health support.Just before we jump in, if you or anyone you know is experiencing mental health problems and you don’t know where to turn, Beth recommends the Live Well York website, which can signpost you to services, products, activities, hubs and clubs in your area. I hope you enjoy this conversation with Beth Fenton, I’m Ben Porter, and this is the York Community Wealth Building Podcast, brought to you by Fieldwork.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wearefieldwork.substack.com