Chemsex, Trauma and Healing:Â Supporting LGBTQ+ Clients in Treatment
Supporting LGBTQ+ Clients in Treatment Workshop
An immersive one-day workshop examining the complex relationship between chemsex, identity, shame, trauma, sexuality, and belonging. Designed for professionals working across mental health, addiction, therapy, and LGBTQ+ support.
Saturday 12 September 2026
Date
9:30 AM – 4:30 PM BST
Time
55 Dean St, London, W1D 6AF
Location
Hosted by Hazell Forums
About the Workshop
This immersive one-day workshop explores the complex relationship between chemsex, trauma, identity, shame, sexuality, and belonging. It is designed to support deeper understanding of the emotional, relational, and psychological dimensions that can sit beneath substance use and sexual behaviour, particularly within LGBTQ+ communities.
Present the session as a space for thoughtful learning, reflection, and clinically relevant discussion. The tone should be informed, sensitive, and grounded in affirming support practice rather than sensational language.
Meet the Speakers
This workshop is led by experienced practitioners whose work brings together trauma-informed care, addiction support, relational healing, and LGBTQ+ affirmative practice.
Beth Ashley-Smith
Psychotherapist and Registered Mental Health Nurse
Beth Ashley-Smith is a psychotherapist and registered mental health nurse with over 20 years’ experience across NHS and private healthcare services. She specialises in working with ADHD, trauma and addictions, drawing on a background in mental health nursing, addictions therapy, EMDR and ADHD management. Beth also specialises in clinical sexology, extending her therapeutic skills into the relational, emotional and sexual aspects of wellbeing.
Beth runs a private practice where she works holistically with individuals experiencing ADHD, trauma, addictions and related difficulties. Her combined medical and therapeutic training enables her to consider both the psychological and biological aspects of mental health, helping clients manage risk, reduce shame and loneliness, and move towards recovery. Where appropriate, she works collaboratively with a wider network of specialists to ensure clients receive the most appropriate medical or therapeutic support.
Simon Marks
London-based therapist specialising in addiction, chemsex, and relational trauma in gay men
Simon is a London-based therapist in private practice, specialising in addiction, chemsex and healing relational trauma in gay men. He is a qualified dramatherapist with additional training in the Post Induction Therapy model developed by Pia Mellody, which addresses the developmental and relational trauma often underlying codependence and addiction. His clinical work also draws on Internal Family Systems, Gestalt-based inner child work, and experiential group therapy to support men in building healthier relationships with themselves and others.
He runs trauma-healing workshops and weekend retreats for gay men based on the PIT framework. Simon strongly believes that process-oriented group work can offer powerful opportunities for gay men to feel seen, validated, empowered, and understood through shared experience and identification with others. He runs the Friday Night Group, a free monthly community wellbeing and discussion group for gay men that encourages connection, reflection, and mutual support outside traditional therapy settings.
Simon offers workshops and training, including LGBTQ+ Mental Health, Chemsex Recovery, and Healing Childhood Trauma. He is himself in long-term recovery and is approaching nineteen years sober from alcohol and drugs, bringing both professional expertise and lived experience to his work.
Who It’s For
This workshop is intended for professionals seeking informed, affirming, and clinically relevant insight into complex areas of treatment and support.
- Mental health professionals
- Addiction professionals
- Therapists and counsellors
- LGBTQ+ affirmative practitioners
- Healthcare professionals seeking a deeper understanding of trauma-informed support
What Attendees Will Gain
- Deeper understanding of chemsex in clinical and support contexts
- Insight into trauma, shame, identity, and belonging
- Practical ideas for more affirming and informed support
- Space for professional reflection and learning
About Hazell Forums
Hazell Forums creates high-quality educational events for mental health and addiction professionals, including workshops, conferences, networking events, and webinars.Â