An award-winning psychotherapist has been selected by global speaking platform TED as its latest expert, profiling her thought-provoking presentation about mental health to over 37 million people.
Alexis Powell-Howard took to the stage at TEDxPatras in Greece last year, speaking about the power of therapy and professional mental health support, in the context of the event’s theme of metamorphosis.
Bringing her own experience, having had less than adequate therapy and now running a successful business that delivers support to individuals, businesses, and schools, Alexis’ presentation was selected by TED for its “valuable and timely” subject.
‘What to expect from a therapy session’ launched on the global TED Talks YouTube channel, which has 37.5 million followers, on Sunday 5 February. In it, Alexis talks viewers through the importance of seeking support and the impact of engaging in a powerful therapeutic relationship for self-awareness and growth.
The release of Alexis’ talk comes just days after a recent study by charity Mind, in line with Time To Talk Day 2023, showed that 20 million people in Britain are suffering in silence every day. The disturbing statistics revealed that a third of adults fail to make time to speak about their troubles, with a quarter worrying that they’ll be judged for opening up. In the same study, a third of people believe more accessible mental health support services would help.
“I am passionate about delivering high quality, effective, and accessible therapeutic services… it’s the reason that I set up Fortis a decade ago. Now, more than ever, we must focus on our mental and emotional health and wellbeing – modern living priorities, the wider economic landscape… it all impacts our growth and development.
As a subject close to my heart, having experienced the power of therapy for the clients we support at Fortis, having this talk selected by TED, to me, is an amazing way of hopefully getting the message out there,” Alexis comments.
Alexis founded Fortis Therapy & Training in 2012 and it now boasts a team of dedicated, qualified therapists, counsellors, trainers, coaches, and mediators based in Lincolnshire, who operate across the UK. Recently named ‘Mental Health Consultancy of the Year 2022’ in the This Can Happen Awards and a regional winner in the ‘Wellbeing Category’ at the FSB Celebrating Small Businesses Awards 2022, Fortis Therapy & Training has built a reputation for delivering gold standard mental health support.
An acclaimed speaker in the mental health field, TEDxPatras was Alexis’ second TEDx appearance. She adds:
“I still can’t quite believe that my TEDxPatras talk has been hand-selected by TED to be published on their channel, to millions of subscribers. To write and present a TEDx talk is always challenging and thought-provoking: it’s a process that involves excitement, uncertainty, and then utterly loving every minute on stage.”
TED is a global community that spreads ideas through impactful and informative talks, with TEDx events serving as independent, locally organised versions of the main conference. To view her talk, visit TED Talks.
