Double binds are situations that have an inherent contradiction built into them with no way out. If I do the thing I am expected to do, it has negative consequences. If I don’t do it, it has negative consequences. If I point out the contradiction, it has negative consequences. There is no way to solve the problem.

Double binds are everywhere. Many people who are employed and are serious about disrupting a toxic normality need to spend most of their employed time servicing this normality - doing things they don’t believe in, in order to stay employed and spending a small fraction of their time on the things that may make an actual difference. Many tenders that ask for systemic work go to people who write clearly defined outcomes into their bids.

In some cases, these projects fail and consultants are brought in to help the projects achieve the predetermined goals. The consultants that are chosen are the ones that speak the right words but that also make big promises of clearly defined pre-determined outcomes. And on and on it goes.

In this small bespoke workshop Steffi Bednarek and Bec Davison explore with a group of maximum 8 people how to transcend the double binds that come with their role as a change maker. Being part of this group will form ‘a small island of coherence’ that already contributes to a network of sanity.

This course is facilitated by Steffi Bednarek and Bec Davison.

3 x 2.5-hour sessions - to be confirmed

Exact dates to be confirmed

Regular : £285

Concession: £245

Steffi Bednarek is the author and editor of the book "Climate, Psychology, and Change". She works as a psychotherapist and consultant in climate psychology, living systems theory, and complexity thinking. She has managed national and international projects, headed up large mental health services, and worked on sociopolitical change for local and national governments, the sustainability sector, and nongovernmental organizations. Steffi is an associate of the Climate Psychology Alliance, a Firekeeper at World Ethic Forum, and an associate of the American Psychological Association’s Climate Change Group.

Bec Davison has worked in the social care and health sector for thirty years with people who are homeless, use drugs, and have been excluded from society because of trauma, poverty, and a lack of opportunity. As a dedicated freelancer, she channels her expertise into serving underrepresented groups, individuals, and teams, advocating for their voices to be heard and challenging traditional approaches. Her work in research has been marked by a commitment to amplifying seldom-heard voices, challenging orthodoxy, and pioneering innovative research methods to better serve communities.