My First Time...with Bev Thomas

Bev Thomas worked as a Clinical psychologist in the NHS for many years and has always been interested in why people do what they do. A large part of her work as a therapist was helping people to make sense of their lives – to tell their life stories, and make sense of how the past relates to something in the present. So - the switch from therapy to novels was not such a leap as it might seem!

Bev no longer works as a therapist, but instead works in mental health services supporting staff and teams in their work. She is passionate about raising the profile of psychological and mental health workers. A Good Enough Mother is about a psychotherapist – and opens the door to the secret world of therapist and patient. It’s also raises questions about the limitations and responsibilities of motherhood.

Bev is speaking at The Riff Raff on March 7th. Come meet her and hear more about her publishing journey. Tickets available here.

Describe the exact moment you decided to write your book?

I’d written a lot before this book, and I was interested in exploring grief and loss as a theme. I’d initially been reluctant to write about my professional world in fiction. I didn’t want to write about a patient / client – and it was only when I flipped the concept and made the therapist the protagonist that the story began to emerge. What if a brilliant therapist is struggling with the disappearance of her 17 year old son, and she then sees a new patient who looks just like him..? The book became a place to explore the boundaries between client and therapist and the devastating consequence when they get blurred or broken.

I took part of the book on an Arvon course – and had real encouragement from the tutor to finish it – so that really helped.

What’s the one thing you wish you’d known before starting to write it?