In this episode of the Power To Live podcast, host Ryan Blake sits down with Dr. Matt Skinta — clinical psychologist, researcher, and trainer — to explore the healing power of compassion and contextual behavioral therapies (ACT, FAP, and CFT). Dr. Skinta shares his personal and professional journey into psychology, the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ clients, and why cultivating both safety and safeness is essential for wellbeing.

With warmth and clarity, Dr. Skinta explains how compassion is more than empathy: it’s the active motivation to reduce suffering while remaining grounded. He discusses how therapy can provide LGBTQ+ clients with a unique space for vulnerability, authenticity, and resilience in a world that too often demands hiding.

Listeners will also hear about Selma, a young chimpanzee Dr. Skinta connected with at a sanctuary in Cameroon — a story that brings to life the importance of embodied compassion, playfulness, and remembering our animal need for connection.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• How stigma and rejection impact LGBTQ+ mental health, and what compassionate therapy can offer in response.

• The difference between safety and safeness, and why both matter deeply in therapeutic spaces.

• How contextual behavioral therapies (ACT, FAP, CFT) can support LGBTQ+ wellbeing through mindfulness, values, and authentic connection.

• Why human connection is irreplaceable for resilience, and how even small acts of vulnerability can reshape our capacity for closeness.

• Practical steps anyone can take to reduce loneliness, find hope, and begin therapy when it feels daunting.

Resources & Links

• Learn more about chimpanzee rescue and donate to support the work of the Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center.

• Connect with Dr. Matt Skinta and learn about his work: Roosevelt University Profile.

Dr. Skinta
"Compassion is not just empathy — it’s the felt recognition of suffering, paired with the motivation to reduce it, while staying grounded enough not to be overwhelmed."

⁠⁠⁠⁠The Power to Live Foundation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is a charity committed to breaking down financial barriers to therapy. We believe everyone deserves access to support that helps them live a meaningful life.

Our services include evidence-based behavioural therapies tailored to your income level, available online or at our clinic in⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bishopsgate, City of London.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Power is yours!

Subscribe and Review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ITunes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠|⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠|⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RSS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠|⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Anchor⁠|⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Castbox⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠|⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PodBean⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠|⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Contact |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠|⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BlueSky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠|⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠|⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠|⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktr.ee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠|