Rosemary Turner: My mission to Creating Safe Spaces for Healing
For Rosemary Turner, visibility isn’t just a personal milestone—it’s a movement. A passionate therapist, creative soul, and lifelong advocate for trauma survivors, Rosemary is on a mission to uplift, heal, and empower. In a world where women’s work is often overlooked or undervalued, she sees awards as more than recognition—they are a powerful reminder that women deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated.
From the vibrant world of fashion collaborations with icons like Vivienne Westwood to the quiet strength of therapy rooms and grassroots mental health initiatives, Rosemary’s journey is a tapestry of resilience and reinvention. She knows firsthand how fear can silence women, how trust must be earned in healing spaces, and how creativity can be a lifeline for those navigating trauma.
Now, through projects like Counselling for Life, and her work with organizations such as 1 in 4 and the Westminster Drag Project, Rosemary is not only creating access to therapy—she’s creating a legacy. A legacy that says: you don’t have to wait for permission to take up space. You just have to be ready to rise.
Interview: Mirela Sula
You have just received an award. What does this mean to you?
I think it’s fantastic to uplift women with awards because it often feels like men get all the recognition. We have allies, including men, but it’s time for us to claim our space, too. What do awards mean to me?
Coming from a generation where accolades weren’t freely given to women, it’s an absolute honour to be recognised. I feel it will be confidence-building for me, so thank you.
Many women, like you, work tirelessly behind the scenes and only feel worthy when they receive recognition. How do you see your contribution?
Women often downplay their contributions as a default. Awards are not just about personal validation but also paving the way for future generations. You model what they, too, can achieve.
How do you think fear affects women in therapy?
Fear isn’t just a women’s issue; men face it too, however, societal norms often push women to prioritise others’ needs over their own, leading to fear of stepping into their power.
How much progress do you think women have made, and how far do we still need to go?
We have made tremendous strides, but there is still a huge amount of ground to cover. It’s essential to acknowledge our progress while recognising the challenges ahead. Glass ceilings still persist, and breaking them requires perseverance.
What role does trust play in therapy?
Trust is the foundation of therapy. Without it, there can be no healing. Building trust takes time, but is essential for the therapeutic relationship to grow.
Your work with organizations like Westminster Drag Project and 1 in 4 shows your dedication to supporting trauma survivors. How has this influenced your approach to therapy?
One’s commitment to supporting survivors is reflected in your therapeutic approach. By providing a safe, confidential and non-judgmental space, you empower your clients to explore their traumas, recognise their resilience and that they are survivors, enabling them to journey towards healing.
How do you ensure therapists receive the support they need?
Providing supervision for both therapists-in-training, fully trained therapists and supervision of supervisors ensures they have the resources to grow professionally, safe in the knowledge that they are working ethically. It is essential to support those who support others, creating a cycle of care.
Therapy is a passion rooted in a desire to help others. Your journey from club scenes to therapy reflects a commitment to making a difference in people’s lives.
We were always creating safe harbours with the particular club night events that we provided. Safe harbours for people who felt individual and wanted to express themselves differently from the norm, as history now shows, these club nights went on to drive popular culture as it is known today and the UK economy.
How do you balance creativity with therapy?
While my past organic collaborations with fashion icons such as Vivienne Westwood were exhilarating, my focus now lies in using creativity to facilitate healing. I’m looking to explore how I might implement more Art therapy techniques into sessions, allowing clients to express themselves and explore their emotions. I’m also wanting to study more about the Psychotherapy of dance.
How do you see your work shaping the future of entertainment and wellness?
I envision a fusion of entertainment and wellness, where disused spaces provide holistic experiences for mental and physical well-being. These times are uncharted waters that we are in at the moment, and I pull on my life experience to give me hope and insight into how we can forge positive change going forward. It is time for me to pull all the threads of my career and knowledge base together to allow me to go forward.
Can you share any upcoming projects that align with your mission?
Counselling for Life is an initiative close to my heart, aiming to provide accessible therapy to those in need, counselling in schools and offering supervised placements for therapists in training. If it is of interest to anyone, CFL are open to volunteer therapists and donations.
It’s a journey of growth and empowerment, and I’m excited to see where it leads.
