Roshan Jadavji: My personal experience with therapy and how this inspired my professional practice ‘BSL Therapy’ (BSL)

Hello! My name is Roshan Jadavji, and I’m a female, Indian/English, neurodivergent therapist based in the UK.

My practice, BSL Therapy, provides accessible mental health support to the Deaf community and I’m passionate about breaking down communication barriers in mental health care. I offer therapy for people who are Deaf, Hard of hearing, CODA or those who prefer to speak not sign but have a deaf identity.

My journey into therapy was personal. Living with deafness and navigating various mental, emotional, and physical health challenges has given me an intimate understanding of the unique struggles Deaf individuals face when seeking support.

Growing up, I often felt misunderstood in hearing-dominated spaces, facing cultural differences and with the added complexity of being neurodivergent too. This sense of not fitting in was especially difficult in environments where the importance of clear, accessible communication was often overlooked.

Realising the impact that the right support can have on mental well-being, I felt called to create that safe space for others. I came to understand that mental health is rarely straightforward; it’s often a complex mix of life events and challenges that build up over time—and that’s without even considering the additional challenges of being Deaf.

It wasn’t until I experienced therapy myself that I truly realised its potential and how widely misunderstood therapy can be. After about five years of therapy and seeing several different therapists I noticed real changes in myself and my relationships.

Quick myth buster – it’s normal not to “click” with every therapist. If they’re not the right fit for you, keep looking until you find the right match.

Over time, I came to see my therapist as a safe space. I also learned that they weren’t going to wave a magic wand to make everything better—I had to do the work myself, recognising that healing isn’t a one-time fix; it’s a journey.

Just as life has its ups and downs, so does the process of healing. Therapy is something I come back to as needed, knowing that personal growth and self-understanding evolve with time. This is something I strongly advocate to those around me, including my clients.

I’ve always wanted to help people feel seen and heard. For me, therapy isn’t just about providing answers; it’s about helping people find their own! I was inspired by the resilience of others in the Deaf community and especially the resilience of my Deaf family, and felt determined to offer a safe, accessible environment where Deaf clients could feel fully comfortable expressing themselves in their preferred language, whether that’s BSL, SSE, or even spoken English.

It’s important to recognise that it’s not only people within the Deaf community who face challenges but also CODAs, who may feel they don’t fully belong in the hearing world, as well as hearing individuals with Deaf family members or friends.

While the field of mental health has come a long way, accessibility for Deaf individuals still falls short. A major gap is in the communication methods used by therapists, as few have the training or resources to communicate directly in BSL.

Deaf clients are often reliant on interpreters, which can affect the personal connection that’s so vital in therapy. Through me as a therapist, I aim to provide a service where clients feel understood from the outset, knowing they’re communicating directly with a therapist fluent in BSL.

Additionally, it’s important to acknowledge the privilege that hearing individuals have when accessing therapy. For those who are hearing, the option to pay for private therapy often leads to shorter wait times and more immediate support.

On the other hand, Deaf people often face long waitlists for free, government-funded services, which may not offer communication access in BSL or be culturally sensitive.

Paying for private therapy can make a significant difference. Not only does it provide quicker access to much-needed mental health support, but it also ensures that the therapy is tailored to an individual’s specific needs, including communication preferences and cultural understanding.

Private therapy also offers a greater sense of continuity and consistency, as clients can build a trusting, long-term relationship with their therapist without the interruptions or delays that often come with publicly funded services.

I want to encourage the Deaf community to consider that paying for therapy is a worthwhile investment in yourself – think of it as a gym for the mind!

I don’t believe there’s enough awareness in the Deaf community about the benefits of private therapy compared to free-funded options through the GP. Hearing people are generally more familiar with these benefits and openly discuss the advantages of private therapy; I want the same understanding to be present in the Deaf community.

After all, we pay regularly for haircuts to keep our hair in good shape, or for gym memberships to maintain our physical health – why shouldn’t we do the same for our mental and emotional well-being?

Therapy with me is unique in that I provide a fully accessible environment tailored for Deaf clients. Sessions are held on Zoom and last 50 minutes, offering clients the flexibility and comfort of meeting virtually, from wherever they are.

Clients can choose between oral, SSE, or BSL, allowing them to communicate in the way that feels most natural. I strive to offer not only accessibility but also a warm, trusting atmosphere grounded in mutual understanding.

I work with a wide range of issues, including cultural challenges, neurodivergence, LGBTQ+, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, self-esteem, grief, trauma, stress management and many other issues.

Remember, therapy is for everyone—women, men, non-binary individuals, whoever —because mental health doesn’t discriminate.

Therapy can feel daunting at first, but it’s truly accessible to anyone, and you don’t need to be in crisis to benefit. There’s a common myth that you must be struggling severely to seek help, but sometimes just having a neutral, supportive third party to talk to can be transformative.

One of my career goals is to advocate for even more accessible mental health services for the Deaf community. I’d love to eventually work on training other therapists in Deaf awareness and therapy via BSL, building a network of practitioners who can offer Deaf-centred support.

My vision is a world where therapy is genuinely accessible for all, without communication barriers. I also aim to continue building my private practice, expanding the reach of my therapy to support even more clients along their mental health journey.

Looking after your mental health is essential and it’s completely normal to have bad days, good days, and even those ordinary, neutral days! The key is to be kind to yourself and others and to keep communicating your needs.

I practice what I preach. For me, self-care includes regular breaks, connecting with loved ones, and creating small moments of peace throughout my day. I also remind myself of the importance of setting boundaries to protect my mental well-being. But don’t be fooled – I’m human like everyone else.

For anyone reading, whether Deaf or hearing, I encourage finding small rituals that help you feel grounded and remind you of your strength.

Thank you for reading my story. I hope it inspires others to prioritise accessibility and mental health in all our communities.

If you want to book a therapy session with Roshan, please contact her via her website www.bsltherapy.com or check out her Instagram page @bsltherapy