Josephine Burke

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I use my knowledge of art therapy, child development and Attachment Theory to inform my practice as an art therapist supporting children, young people, parents and educational staff.

Parenting support

Are you overwhelmed and exhausted?

To support you to break the cycle of negative behaviours and responses, together we will identify the triggers and underlying causes and explore ways to make positive changes in the relationship between you and your child/ren.      

Does it feel hard to connect with your infant/toddler/under 5 or perhaps don't understand them?

To help with improved understanding we will work on in depth observations, looking at the behaviours unique to your individual child and their communications. Alongside this I encourage connecting through play and shared enjoyment to restore the bond.

Art therapy

Perhaps your child/young person or you are finding it hard to talk about how they/you feel. You want to help/things to change but you don't know how?

I provide a safe and non-judgemental space to create freedom of expression when words can feel too hard to speak. Art therapy provides an alternative and gentle form of communication.

Training and consultation

Do you work in an educational or childcare setting and want your staff to know more about mental health? I can help

I deliver high quality evidence based training on subjects such as: emotional well being, resilience, depression and self harm, mental health, attachment and early years, social learning theory, challenging behaviour working with children/young people in groups, managing anxiety, supporting parents, how to make play settings inclusive. If you are interested in these topics or would like a bespoke programme of training linked to mental health provided please get in touch.

About me:

I am a fully qualified and highly experienced art psychotherapist and under-5s specialist.

I provide evidence-based therapeutic services to children, families and adults through art psychotherapy, VIPP-SD (Video feedback Interaction to promote Positive Parenting and Sensitive Discipline) and the Incredible Years Parenting Programme.

I also offer a consultation service to professionals who are concerned about an individual. I provide CPD/short courses and presentations to settings such as schools and nurseries (INSET), child care settings, health and social care providers and organisations on general mental health for adults, parents and children; managing difficult behaviour; attachment; inclusion, under 5s emotional wellbeing; team building and reflective practice. I can develop bespoke programmes for individual settings based on their need.

I'm interested in therapy as I'm interested in people and how each individual experiences the world around them in their unique way. I want to help people find their strengths and for us to learn from eachother and see that we all hold these varied and fascinating views as individuals can make a diverse and brilliant world.

In this day and age parents are often isolated and under supported rather than being 'bad parents'. I want to be able to provide the support parents need to be the parents they want to be rather than feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.

I also aim to skill up educational and childcare settings to enhance the work they do and understanding of what infants, children and young people need to be happy. It is our self esteem and happiness that leads to true success in relationships, learning and well-being.

Testimonials:

"Thankyou for all the sessions so far" S, 8 years old

"Thankyou so much for our sessions, I have really enjoyed them. I will miss you" R 11years old

"Josephine, thankyou for supporting my Mum" E, 10 years old

"After your hard work my daughter got better, she has got a very positive self image, self esteem and confidence. You built a good relationship with M and all our family. You respect our culture and family background and we are very grateful to you. You gave M a feeling that she should not be afraid" mother of M. M 10 tears old

"I want to say a big thankyou for supporting O and I. You have been very patient and understanding and braved all weathers! I feel some professionals think I'm too protective of my children but I think you really understood that there is a need for that and really listened to me. For O to build a relationship with you and for him to learn that it's ok to feel however he is feeling is so important. O is a happier child now, his self esteem and confidence is slowly building and you have been a big help in that. Thankyou so much" Mother of O, O 8 years old

"Josephine is a highly experienced and approachable therapist and consultant. I sought her guidance and expertise to help me to support my children. Josephine is an excellent listener and she allowed me to express my own worries without any time pressure and she offered both support and new ideas to help my children. She also provided endorsement of my own approach to help my children which was hugely valuable and comforting. in a situation which was engulfed in guilt that our family situation may have caused anxiety, Josephine reassured me that these things are also common and easily addressable and management in many children. We are making great progress, thank you Josephine!" Mother of 2: 4 years and 6 years old