Andrew Phillips

Welcome. My name is Andrew, I am an Art Psychotherapist (HCPC registered) in Newport. I work with individual adults, mostly in person, but I do have some availability for online sessions. Please feel welcome to contact me by email to arrange an initial consultation, or discuss your requirements. 

The therapy sessions work in a similar way to related 'talking' therapies, but in addition to speaking you also have the opportunity to use art materials as a means of expression and communication if you wish to. This can add a valuable dimension to the therapy, which some people feel uncertain about to begin with, then come to find interesting and transformative over time.

Introduction

I help people to explore both their inner world and outer life through conversation, the use of images and creative processes, and paying careful attention to the working relationship between us. My role as therapist is to nurture the spirit of enquiry, and support the unfolding of your own path through life. I like to use 'Soul-making' as a way to describe this kind of therapy.

The reasons for coming to therapy and ideas about how it could be of benefit are specific to each person, and in this sense the purpose of our work together will be tailored to you. The broad aims of Psychotherapy are to develop a deeper understanding of ourselves, other people, and the world we live in. This fosters the ability to live from a more authentic sense of Self, with a greater capacity for engagement with all aspects of life, less restricted by suffering.

This kind of psychotherapy helps you to know yourself in a new way by viewing 'symptoms' and the challenges of life as having personal meaning and significance to be discovered, rather than something 'gone wrong' - although I understand it might feel that way sometimes. By developing an interest in listening to what they can tell us, we take a collaborative approach to the process of working towards lasting healing and change.  

Areas of practice

You may have a clear idea about why you are considering psychotherapy, or perhaps you are not certain but would still like to meet and discuss the possibility. The deeper reasons for coming to therapy often become clearer once we have begun to work together. These are areas that clients/patients past and present have approached me for assistance with.

• Experiences of mental/emotional suffering - including but not limited to; depression, anxiety, feeling sad, loneliness, low self-esteem, low self-confidence, bereavement, work-related stress, perfectionism, shame.
• Meaning and purpose - You may be feeling 'stuck', or finding it difficult to lead a life that feels meaningful, fulfilling, or true to your own nature. 
• Relationships - Working with difficulties, and finding greater depth within them.
• Life transitions and sudden changes - e.g employment, education, relocation.
• Art & Creativity - Exploring/discovering your own creative vision.
• Spirituality / Transpersonal psychology - Art Psychotherapy can offer a reflective and creative context for looking at this aspect of your life.
• Nature / Ecopsychology - Acknowledging responses to both the wonder of Nature, and grief around what has been lost.
• Working with men - It is well documented that men are less likely to access and engage in psychotherapy. I often work with those for whom talking openly about their experience is neither familiar, nor comfortable ground. 

Contacting me

If you would like to arrange an initial consultation, or have any questions, please contact me here, or via my website. Just let me know if you are considering in person or online appointments, and briefly outline the reason for your enquiry (please do not include sensitive personal information).

I understand that reaching out to a therapist can feel daunting, so I aim to make the process as straightforward as possible for you.

**Unless on leave, I always respond within 72 hours, so please check your spam folder if my reply doesn't appear in your inbox.**

Location and accessibility

My therapy space is located near Newport city center. By car I am a few minutes from Junction 25 of the M4, and free parking is available on the street. The railway station is approximately 1 mile away. Access to the therapy space is via one flight of stairs. 

Type of therapy

My specialism is in Depth Psychology, which incorporates aspects of Jungian, Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic approaches. I am also interested in Transpersonal psychology (such as Psychosynthesis) that bridges psychological and spiritual perspectives, and Ecopsychology which considers how our human experience is connected to the more-than-human world of Nature. You will find more details in the 'further information' section here, and on my website.

About me

My path to becoming a Psychotherapist emerged from personally experiencing various forms of depth psychotherapy, and interests in art, spirituality, and Nature. Prior to beginning a private practice I worked in a variety of different roles within mental health and social care services, over the course of ten years. Whilst therapy sessions will often cover serious subject matter, I do value the benefits that working with a sense of humour can bring, when possible. 

Beginning therapy

To start with we schedule an initial consultation to consider:

• Your main reasons for seeking therapy, and key themes you would like to explore.
• Your hopes and expectations for therapy, as well as any reservations you may have about it.
• The significance of beginning therapy at this time - why now?

This meeting also gives us an opportunity to determine if we are generally a good fit for working together, and whether my approach aligns with what you are looking to accomplish. 

For further details on all aspects of the therapy I offer, please see my website or the 'further information' section at the end of this profile.  

• Initial consultation - £30

All other appointments

• In person sessions are 1 hour - £50 
• Online sessions are 50 minutes - £50

Therapeutic Approach

My approach to therapy has its roots in Depth Psychology, drawing mainly from Jungian, Psychoanalytic, and Psychodynamic approaches. In practice this means that we give focussed attention to finding the personal meaning of whatever you bring to the therapy. Whilst there are distinctions between the theoretical models, the common thread would be the 'depth' they offer, which in this context means considering how we are influenced by both conscious, and unconscious processes. This applies on a personal individual level, and can also be used to consider groups such as families, workplaces/companies, cultures, and societies. 

I welcome insights from a range of perspectives such as the arts, poetry, mythology, and wisdom traditions, to assist us in deepening our understanding of what it is to be human. 

Working Together

I prioritise establishing a strong and boundaried working alliance between us. This relationship acts as a safe and nurturing catalyst for psychological healing and transformation. Paying attention to what happens in the relationship between us offers a valuable window to your inner world. As the therapeutic process develops this will aid us in learning about how your emotions, thoughts, and behaviours are influenced by your experience, and identifying patterns that may have emerged over time.  

During the therapy sessions

During our meetings you are encouraged to express whatever comes to mind as openly as possible, either in words, or through using art materials. This might include;

• Paying focussed attention to the present moment.
• Memories of past experience. 
• Looking to the future - what do you long for, what do you fear?
• Exploring thoughts, emotions and feeling.
• Working with dreams, daydreams, and imagination.
• Using metaphor, story/narrative, symbols and images.

I will listen carefully, attending to your expressions, our relational dynamics, and emerging themes. I tend not to provide set exercises or suggestions about how to use the time. The idea is that you come to find your own preferred way of engaging in the therapy sessions. This allows for the therapy to become what you make of it, which is always a little different for each person.   

At times we will consider aspects of your past in order to better understand the present, as well as the broader picture of who you are as a person, and the life you live. The therapy sessions also look to the future you might want, and encourage finding expression for what you love, the things that are 'right' in your life, as well as your interests and passions. In this sense we are working with the whole person.

Art-making in therapy can be a beneficial means of communication and expression, even if it is not familiar to you. I will provide support and encouragement to explore this, as clients often find it to be more healing and meaningful than they initially expected.

Frequency of sessions & Duration of Therapy

Some people will be well served by some short-term work over 6 to 12 sessions. I also regularly work with those who are seeking more in-depth therapy for longer periods. In this instance we reflect upon our work together as we go along, and keep an eye on when the right time to conclude therapy might be.

Therapy sessions are typically held weekly, but I also work with some people fortnightly. It is preferable to aim for as much consistency as possible with the timing of sessions, but if you have a changing schedule (perhaps due to work, or study), I may be able to accomodate this.

Professional practice 

• The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) are the regulatory body for Art Psychotherapists in the UK. I abide by their code of conduct and ethics, and standards of professional practice.
• I engage in regular clinical supervision with a suitably qualified and experienced psychotherapist.
• I hold the required level of professional indemnity insurance.
• I do not begin work with a new client unless I feel that my knowledge, skills, and experience are appropriate for the presenting concerns.