Exploring intergenerational resonance through letters to my grandmother

'The ghostly presence of my late grandmother, Ellyn, who died four years before I was born, has been a constant source of curiosity and insight in my life. In exploring this connection to her throughout my own lifetime, I have come to understand myself, Ellyn, and the history which precedes us more profoundly. In this seminar, based on the research from my doctoral dissertation, I explore letters written to my late grandmother and engage with theorists such as Stephen Frosh, Galit Atlas, and Jack Halberstam, and my own queer, transgender and Jewish identities to better understand intergenerational connections. I introduce the term intergenerational resonance – a transgenerational connection between two people which seemingly disrupts normative notions of space and time. Conceptualising intergenerational transmissions not solely through the lens of trauma invites practitioners to reconsider the way we work with the past, in our clients’ lifetimes and beyond.'

Join us as we explore intergenerational resonance and through the lens of the relationship between Han and their grandmother, Ellyn, while discussing the implications for counselling and psychotherapy. This Winter Seminar, part of the Friends of Arkordia Seminar Series, will follow our Annual General Meeting. Attend in person or online.

Han Smith (they/them) is a therapist based in Edinburgh, counselling adults and young people. They have over four years of experience working with a wide variety of clients, and especially LGBTQ+ clients. In the counselling room, Han brings their clinical perspective as well as their own personal experience of the world and what it is to be human. Han trained in psychodynamic and person-centred approaches, and often works with clients exploring the connection between their past and present. Other times, sessions stay more in the here and now, grappling with confusing, painful experiences, emerging or developed identities, relationships and more.

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The Friends of Arkordia Seminars are a series of talks of interest to professionals in the fields of counselling, psychotherapy, art therapy, psychology, social work, and related disciplines.

Arkordia is a charity entirely reliant on donations. We suggest a £10 donation to attend these events.