This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
If you are looking for a non-judgemental, empathetic, calming environment to explore your feelings, perhaps I can help. Situated in Leith, the therapy room is a confidential, safe space, stocked with art materials. Contact me and we can discuss what it is you are looking for.
The art making process brings another dimension to the work. It can enable you to express things that are difficult to put into words. It can help you to let go of perfectionism and explore new ways to express your feelings. The art making process is all important, providing an opportunity for mindfulness.
Art Therapy is a form of Psychotherapy that utilises the creation of artwork during the session as a means to discuss deeper feelings and concerns within a safe and confidential relationship. Your therapist will have specific training in working therapeutically within the visual arts.
The artwork created in the session can help to express feelings that may have been buried; to express the unconscious. In bringing the unconscious into the light it ceases to hold power over you, loosening it’s grip. The making of the artwork can provide a grounding and a connection with the self that offers further containment. There is an externalising within the artwork, so that what was held deeply within can be explored within a safe environment and trusting relationship.
Art therapy is not an art class or a diversional activity, though it can be playful. A range of art materials are available in the therapy room, from drawing materials, to paint, fabric, clay and natural objects. The sensory contact with the materials can offer an additional aspect to the work.
I have worked with a wide range of people, from age 4 to adults. We have worked with issues such as bereavement, childhood adversity, anxiety, panic attacks or depression. I can help you identify triggers if you are anxious and find ways to help you regulate. I find it helpful to explore what you have found helpful in the past as we can use that to guide us. I can help you build your resilience and self-esteem, support you to create healthy boundaries and build feelings of safety.
If you are waiting on an ADHD diagnosis I can help you think about ways to manage your symptoms now.
I have 24 years of experience in working with neurodivergent adults and children and also with people with disabilities in a variety of settings. I have a particular interest in autism and ADHD and managing overwhelm.
I have enjoyed working with the LGBTQi+ community.
I see each person as an individual and enjoy the process of getting to know you, what motivates you and what your concerns are. This is done in a caring and curious way, enabling you to learn about yourself in the process.
I have had some good results recently with helping people to feel their feelings and witnessing all of the good things that can come from that. It's inspiring to see the different ways people find to make therapy work for them.
I am interested in how our early relationships shape how we interact with others and experience ourselves in the world. Together we can think about your early years and how your expectations were formed.
I am fascinated by dreams and enjoy thinking with you about your dream life and dream world. It can be interesting to make artwork in response to a dream to see where it leads or what opens up.
I feel it is important to help you to think about your emotional vocabulary and enable you to reconnect with your body, recognise the symptoms of stress and express feelings in a healthy way. We will explore what has helped in the past, enabling you to work out your own tailor-made strategies for coping with anxiety. I want to enable you to learn your own stress signals and be able to respond to them in a way that is beneficial.
I am interested in the unconscious and intuition and the effect past traumas have on our relationship with these parts of the self. Part of the work of therapy is often to re-connect with intuitive feelings so that they can be heard and acted upon.
I am registered with the British Association of Art Therapists.
Training, qualifications & experience
I have a Postgraduate Diploma in Art Therapy, qualifying in 2003. I have 13 years of experience working as a therapist. I have worked with children in the NHS in a sexual abuse recovery service, in schools with the Place2Be and as a self employed therapist. I have worked with adults at Number 21, a Crossreach organisation, as a self employed therapist.
Recent training I've attended includes Autism and Burnout training and Animation Therapy training.
I have a particular interest in neurodivergence and ADHD and Autism. I have a lot of experience in this area and read a lot on related issues.
I am interested in life balance and the idea of centreing ones self. It is important to bring those things that bring joy to the sessions.
I am a firm believer in the healing power of nature. I'm keen on resourcing and linking with environments that help facilitate growth.
It feels important to be able to focus inwards and identify how we are feeling in our bodies, in order to connect with our intuition and to make good choices in life. I am interested in listening to somatic feedback, and in helping you to tune in to yourself. I have spent lots of time trying out somatic excercises and regulating myself and I enjoy working on this.
Grounding is important. I am able to support you to ground yourself in the sessions and show you techniques to ground yourself at home. I am interested in mindfulness and I can guide you in meditation to bring about an increased level of inner peace.
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The HCPC are an independent, UK-wide health regulator. They set standards of professional training, performance and conduct for 16 professions.
They keep a register of health professionals who meet their standards, and they take action if registered health professionals fall below those standards. They were created by a piece of legislation called the Health Professions Order 2001.
Registration means that a health professional meets national standards for their professional training, performance and conduct.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£60.00 per session
Free initial telephone session
When I work
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I have a Friday evening session available now for in person sessions or online/phone.
