WHO I AM
I am qualified and professionally registered Art Psychotherapist living in North Yorkshire. I graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University where I completed a training Masters degree over 3 years. I gained a BA (hons) in Fine Art beforehand and completed a foundational year in Art Therapy. My experience started in a Learning Disability Service which was invaluable to gaining an understanding of non-verbal communication which also led me to study Disability and Bereavement further. I have worked at a R**e Crisis Centre and have 4 years experience in this setting. I also practice privately in Horsforth (near Leeds), Hebden Bridge and Harrogate where I can see individuals for one to one sessions. Art Therapy is a type of Psychotherapy that can help express your emotions through using a combination of art making and talking rather than talking alone. This takes the pressure off having to ‘talk’ and moves you more into a place where your unconscious communication takes the lead. Art materials are used as a way to help bring feelings to the surface. You do not have to use the materials: sometimes we can just talk. Don’t be put off by the word ‘art’, I think of myself as more a creative counsellor so you don’t need to be good at art, or to be able to draw, and art skills are not taught. WHO CAN IT HELP? Absolutely anyone! Emotions can feel confusing at times for everybody. Art Therapy can help untangle your difficulties and gain some understanding to what feels messy. I can work with children, adolescents and adults, all benefiting for different reasons. I pay special attention to building a trusting relationship and always go at the client's pace. I want to know what it's really like to be them. Children are naturally creative and it is encouraged at school and at home (hopefully). This means 'art' and using the materials isn't a new thing to do so we find an easy way of communicating with each other through image and play. Their defense barriers don't even exist yet (or are new) so they can be a very open and honest group of little people to work with. Adolescents are in the flux of life so I find they can work through issues using creativity faster than just talking. Having that pressure to talk and that attention on them, especially if they've had therapy before can be too much. I create a non judgmental space for them to just be which is crucial at this age. Although I work at their pace, I find setting goals or being more directive is welcomed as they are used to this at school/college. This can give a visual record of progress to look back and feel the changes instead of just talking about them. As for adults, using images in therapy is useful if you are a logical person who is maybe stuck in a 'left-brain' way of working. If you've had talking therapy before and keep 'hitting a wall' then a new way can be found to reach your unconscious feelings and really make sense of them. We have created so many defenses by adulthood, there can be many layers to dive down through to get to how you actually feel. We can spend years assuming we know our emotions, when sometimes these emotions have been disguised as others to protect us earlier in life. Once we become more mindful, we can see new ways through these barriers to our true selves. Noticing body sensations or any aches and pains can encourage more awareness of 'blockages' instead of assuming they are only physical. Some of the issues I have supported people to explore include: anxiety, death and bereavement, sexuality, spirituality, eating disorders, relationships, self worth, addiction and childhood abuse. SPECIAL INTERESTS
I am currently training to be an Embodied Relational Therapist, which is a type of body psychotherapy. This means I have a special interest in the relationship we have with our body-mind and how we can explore body sensations as communication to how we actually feel unconsciously. Unresolved emotions, especially difficult ones, can be stored within the body-mind and in turn creates a build up or a blockage in area of the body. I am able to bring threads of this way of working into my practice by paying attention to body sensations or symptoms, and then gently consider the truth behind these barriers to life. For more information, please visit www.ertworks.co.uk
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & STANDARDS
I am professionally registered by the Health and Care Professions Council (HPC) and have professional membership of both British Association Art Therapists (BAAT) and the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) (MBACP). I have regular supervision with experienced supervisors, to ensure that I am working in a healthy and professional way at all times. I keep a fresh approach to my work by undertaking regular ongoing professional development opportunities (via workshops and training courses etc). I always work within the latest ethical frameworks of both BAAT and BACP. CONTACT
If you feel Art Psychotherapy could be what you’re are looking for, please phone or leave a message on 079 5050 1347
My current fee is £45 per one hour session. Initial session is £35. I charge lower rates for students. and I am happy to discuss payment options if you have a low income. I have full professional indemnity insurance and can be contracted for sessional work at certain establishments at a reduced rate.
