Josephine Burke

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 child 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 you or your child are finding it hard to talk about feelings. You want to help them and for 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 deliver high quality evidence based training on subjects such as:

- Emotional well being

- Resilience and resoucefulness

- 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, parent consultant, supervisor 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

- Organisations on the following topics:

general mental health for adults, parents and children; managing difficult behaviour; attachment; inclusion, under 5s emotional wellbeing; team building and reflective practice.

I can also develop bespoke programmes for individual settings based on their need.

I am interested in therapy as I find it fascinating how each individual experiences the world around them in their unique way. I aim to help people to find their strengths. Learning from each other, we can develop our understanding of how these varied views can contribute to a diverse and brilliant society.

In this modern world, parents are often isolated and under supported, rather than being 'bad parents'. I aim to support parents 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 their understanding of what children need to be happy. It is our self esteem and happiness that leads to true success in relationships, learning and well-being.

Testimonials:

"Our sessions together helped us to understand more about our daughter, but just as importantly helped us to understand more about each of our perspectives on the situation, and this meant that with Josephine's help we became a much stronger team." (Parents of 2: 13 and 15 years old)

"Looking back on our sessions I have to say a huge thank you for helping us through a very rocky period.

Our sessions together helped us understand more about J, but more importantly helped us understand each of our perspectives on the situation, and this meant with your help we became a much stronger team. Thankyou so much" (Parents of two: 13, 15 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 years 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 okay 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, 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 managed in many children. We are making great progress, thank you Josephine!" (Mother of 2: 4 and 6 years old)

"I really valued Josephine's patience and calm approach to talking through and helping me with my problems. She offered several different options for each step forward, including art and walking therapy as well as the more traditional talking sessions. There was never any pressure to go down any particular route, and her support always felt considered, gentle and relevant to the moment." (Mother of 2: 17, 14 years old)

"When I referred my daughter to Josephine who is 19 Years old she had just completed her first year at university and had been struggling dealing with everything. Friends was a struggle. Dealing with exams was a struggle. Dealing with being away from home was a struggle. She has always had anxiety issues, but this was heightened being at university. My daughter has not discussed with me her sessions with Josephine, but I chat with her all the time and she is so much more happy. She tells me a lot of this is down to Josephine and her help with my daughter's mental health. My daughter is now so much more confident. She still has the odd anxiety stress out, but i feel this is normal ranges for her age. Last year when she had the anxiety she would have been crushed by it but now she seems to deal with it and move on a lot quicker. She has also said that the art work that she did with Josephine helped her to relax and be more open with Josephine in my daughter's discussions with her. My daughter booked a house to share with the friends she has made at uni in the first year. Josephine's help has made her more confident, when she joined the house a month ago and she is loving her uni life now. I cannot thank Josephine enough for all her help." (Father of 2: 19 and 17 years old)

"We are extremely happy and grateful to be working with Josephine. For many years we struggled with issues related to our eldest son's behaviour which was, at least in part, linked to mental health issues faced by  A (J's mother). We saw many professionals via the Local Authority and Single Point of Access and even privately before receiving a referral to CAMHs through which we met Josephine. Josephine's work with A and J was extremely helpful- she was friendly, understanding and clear in her feedback to us and really emphasised the importance of connection between us and J. As such, when we decided to take J out of school and Home Educate him for a period of time and to look for a family therapist we contacted Josephine. Despite now living far apart and the fact we meet via Zoom, which is certainly different than face to face, 

Josephine's help, guidance and support has been hugely beneficial and has made an enormous difference. Josephine clearly understands J and the situation. We feel able to raise any issues around J and our other sons as well as our own feelings. Josephine is always compassionate and gives us extremely interesting and insightful feedback.
Josephine's flexibility, willingness to meet us via Zoom and reasonable fees are also extremely helpful in enabling us access support." (Father of 3: 8,6,4 years old)

"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, 11 years old)

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

under 5s presentation:

- tantrums (emotional dysregulation)

- fussy eating

- sleeping difficulties

- separation anxiety

- behavioural difficulties

VIPP-SD: £1500 for full programme

Supervision: £65-90 per hour

Parenting: £65 - 90 per hour

Art Psychotherapy/Ecotherapy: £65-90 per hour

CPD/Training/Presentation: £65 - 90 per hour or £350 per day

Please let me know if your budget is limited.

I provide a cheaper rate for those who are unable to pay for full fees. Please contact to discuss further.