About me
Hello, I’m Rob.
I am an experienced, award-winning psychotherapist and art therapist with over 30 years of clinical experience, including senior-level work within the NHS. Over the years, I have supported people of all ages through many different emotional and psychological difficulties.
Clients come to me for help with challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, bereavement, loss, and emotional distress. I offer a safe, thoughtful, and confidential space where you can begin to make sense of what you are experiencing at your own pace.
Sometimes, feelings can be difficult to put into words. Art therapy can offer a powerful way to explore thoughts and emotions when talking alone does not feel enough. You do not need to be artistic or good at art — the process is about expression, reflection, and understanding, not artistic skill. If you would prefer, sessions can also be entirely talking-based.
I understand that taking the first step towards therapy can feel difficult. If you contact me by phone, text, or email, I will respond with warmth, sensitivity, and respect. I also offer a free initial telephone consultation, giving you the chance to ask questions, understand how I work, and decide whether this feels right for you.
I have limited availability. If I am not the right person to help, I will do my best to guide you towards other appropriate support.
Rob
Call or text: 07484 30 22 82
Email: robmccarthy@protonmail.com
Training, qualifications & experience
Clinical Qualifications.
- Anna Freud Centre Mentalization-Based Training (2021)
- Diploma Level 6 art therapy clinical supervision (2018 to 2020)
- British Association of Art Therapists London 2018 -2019
- Post Graduate Diploma in Art Therapy now St Margaret’s University Edinburgh (1994 -1996)
Clinical Supervisor
Marches Counselling Service Hereford (sabatical taken at present)
Senior Art Psychotherapist
2009 - 2022 NHS Foundation Trust Adult Mental Health. Part-time.
Responsible for delivering community art psychotherapy groups and art psychotherapy to an acute psychiatric admissions ward. Responsibilities include supervising art psychotherapy trainees from the University of South Wales and clinical supervision up to Band 8 level within the NHS.
Art Psychotherapist
- 2014 - 2018: St David’s Centre Pupil Referral Service, Hereford.
Art Psychotherapist. - 1999-2000: Lothian Primary Care Trust. Adults with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour.
Therapeutic Arts Worker. - 1998 -1999: Lothian Primary Care Trust. Adults with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour.
Art Psychotherapist and Project Worker. - 1996-1997: Six Circle Project. Enabling ex-offenders to reintegrate into society after serving life sentences.
Art Therapy Trainee Clinical Placements - 1995-1996: Royal Edinburgh Hospital. Forensic Psychiatry and Young Persons Unit.
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
£80.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Prior to assessment I am happy for a telephone call, for which there is no charge.
Assessment Session £90.00 (75 to 90 minutes)
My sessional rate is £65.00 for a 50 minute session. I am able to offer reduced rates for those on low income, including trainees.
Further information
Testimonials
Client:
"Thank you so much for your help. It helped me and supported me far more than I ever thought it could and has been a reassurance for me to get through my problems. I will definitely be recommending you to other people. Thanks."
Colleague:
"In his person and through his profession Rob reaches out with warmth, passion and empathy to all he meets- be they staff or service users. He is one of those people who really and uniquely "make a difference". He is an ambassador to his profession and a huge asset to all of us who work with him".
Information about art psychotherapy
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses art media as its primary mode of expression and communication. Within this context, art is not used as diagnostic tool but as a medium to address emotional issues which may be confusing and distressing.
Although influenced by psychoanalysis, art therapists have been inspired by theories such as attachment-based psychotherapy and have developed a broad range of client-centered approaches such as psycho-educational, mindfulness and mentalization-based treatments, compassion-focused and cognitive analytic therapies, and socially engaged practice. Exploring the links between neuroscience and art therapy has also been at the forefront of some of the BAAT's conferences. Importantly, art therapy practice has evolved to reflect the cultural and social diversity of the people who engage in it.
About Art Therapy: from the British Association of Art Therapists website
