About me
I am a fully qualified Art Psychotherapist and Mentalisation Based Therapy practitioner with over 25 years’ experience of working in NHS secondary care specialist mental health psychological services. I originally trained as an art psychotherapist but now position myself as an Integrative Arts Psychotherapist with creativity being a central component of my practice. This approach recognises that each person’s needs are different, and I draw on a variety of models and techniques such as psychodynamic, mentalisation based therapy and trauma informed therapy. This allows me to adapt the therapy to your specific needs as they arise, so you get the most benefit out of the therapeutic process.
My aim is to support you to work through any emotional challenges you may be going through in order to achieve better emotional health and understanding.
Training, qualifications & experience
I qualified as an HCPC registered art psychotherapist in 1999.
From the year 2000 I have worked continuously in the NHS as an art psychotherapist providing art therapy in acute and community settings.
From 2008 onwards I have worked as a senior art psychotherapist within a specialist psychological therapies team in adult mental health.
Earlier this year, 2025, I teamed up with two experienced psychotherapists/psychoanalysts to form Canterbury Coastal Psychotherapy , where I offer individual art psychotherapy and supervision as a private practitioner alongside my NHS work.
I am also a qualified Mentalisation Based Therapy (MBT) Practitioner.
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
Fees
£70.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I offer some reduced cost sessions for people on low incomes and for trainee art psychotherapists/counsellors and students.
When I work
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There may be some flexibility to times of day, and I occasionally offer Saturday morning appointments so please call to discuss.
Further information
Art therapy uses a mixture of art and talking for self-expression and reflection, in the presence of an experienced and fully qualified Art Psychotherapist. It is a state registered form of psychotherapy which can foster healing and emotional well-being.
You do not need to have previous experience or skill in art, because the overall aim is to enable you to effect change and growth on a personal level in a safe and empowering environment.
The relationship between you and myself the therapist, is of central importance, although Art Therapy differs from other psychological therapies in that it is a three-way process between you, me and your image or artefact. Therefore, it offers the opportunity for non-verbal expression and communication of your thoughts and feelings. Sometimes we do not know what keeps us stuck, repeating behaviour which causes us distress, or we may not have the words. Art Therapy offers a non-verbal, symbolic language allowing thoughts and feelings that might be difficult or overwhelming to
communicate through words to be expressed visually.
Areas of Interest
While I am listing a couple of areas that I have a particular interest in this is not exhaustive or exclusive. I am interested in people, their lives, experiences, and
challenges with the aim of helping individuals process complex feelings, gain insight and promote healing.
I have a particular interest in working with people who identify as neurodivergent and the impact of living in what could be seen as a predominantly neurotypical world. Integrative arts psychotherapy offers opportunities to express oneself using a variety of implicit and explicit means from art making, images, sound, movement or verbalisation. Sometimes we do not have the vocabulary to describe our experience, or words may simply not be enough. I aim to adapt my practice to your needs, offering a neurodivergent affirming approach which promotes self-advocacy and the development of a positive neurodivergent identity.
I am also interested in and have experience of working with young adults, who face many challenges as they transition into adulthood and navigate a world which can feel extremely pressurised. Art therapy can offer a powerful and transformative outlet for young adults, especially during a time of intense emotional development and identity formation.
As a young adult you may struggle to articulate complex emotions. Art can provide a safe, symbolic way to express feelings without needing words. It can also help externalize and integrate difficult memories, making it especially effective for those healing from trauma or abuse.
In all my work it is important to say that I use a trauma -informed approach where I prioritise safety, trust, collaboration, and compassion.
