My colleague and friend, the psychotherapist, author and campaigner Paul Gordon, has died aged 70. While eschewing the limelight, Paul was an influential figure and unique voice in the world of psychotherapy. His political commitment and determination to improve people’s lives led him to train as a psychotherapist at the Institute of Psychotherapy and Social Studies in London in the late 80s, and later at the Philadelphia Association, founded in 1965 by RD Laing and colleagues in order to challenge established ways of thinking about and responding to distress.
Paul became its chair, and was a strong advocate for the unique sanctuary and asylum their therapeutic homes have long offered to anyone in need. Indeed, facilitating access to low-cost or free therapy was important to Paul, who also worked with young people at North London’s Open Door, at Freedom from Torture, and helped to establish the Free Psychotherapy Network.
