Rose Thorn
About me
Coming from a mixed-heritage, I have an embodied understanding of how racism, sexism and homophobia impacts on ones sense of self; issues of identity and belonging have been central to my own journey. I have developed an interest in how one navigates difference - ethnicity, culture, class, sexuality, gender, nationality, religion, disability.
I have supported people from diverse cultural backgrounds who are struggling with a range of mental health issues, childhood trauma, as well as people engaged in periods of change in their lives.
My Approach
I provide a confidential space where aspects of yourself can gently unfold, enabling you to both recognise the familiar and be gently enlightened by the unknown. I aim to support a deeper embodied connection with aspects of yourself, your relationships with others and the world around us.
I have come to trust that the body is a vital resource, deeper than any theories. My yoga practice and teaching regular classes in the community has helped me to feel and to see how we carry our stories in our bodies.
Our therapeutic relationship may be focused and short term, or it may need a longer, on-going timescale. We will review regularly to see what has emerged on the therapeutic journey.
Training, qualifications & experience
My practice as a therapist has evolved over twenty years and been shaped and informed by: the diverse clients that I have worked with; my supervisors, teachers and colleagues; being a client myself and my own lived experience.
Training
I originally trained as an Arts Therapist specialising in drama; I embrace these creative elements by supporting individuals to explore:
- through movement - connecting with one’s body
- with imagery and metaphor - making art, stories or writing
- using one’s voice - words, breath, listening and feeling one’s story
- engaging with objects or the natural world around us
I am currently studying as a Body Psychotherapist with Embodied-Relational Therapy. I would describe my approach as working relationally – which means I am curious and open to what happens between us in the therapeutic relationship.
Creative Supervision I have an Advanced Diploma in Counselling Supervision which was accredited by the National Counselling Society. I have worked with therapists, body workers and artists who use their art form with community groups. I aim to cultivate a space to reflect and explore your practice in an embodied and felt sense or by using creative means. My training includes:
- Body Psychotherapy in Supervision
- Movement and the Body in Supervision
Qualifications
I am registered as a Dramatherapist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and abide by their ethical framework.
I am a trained EMDR therapist and am a member of EMDR UK. Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing therapy can help relieve the symptoms and emotional distress that can result from disturbing life experiences and complex past traumas.
I am a member of the Black, African and Asian Therapy Network and Radical Therapy Network "dedicated to intersectional and anti-oppressive learning and therapeutic practice".
Experience
I have worked with people from many different backgrounds including:
- women who have experienced complex trauma from domestic abuse and childhood sexual abuse
- adults with mental ill health who have been diagnosed with: borderline personality disorder, psychosis, schizophrenia and eating disorders
- young people with learning disabilities and autistic women
I have also worked in the following settings:
- the third sector - Women's Aid, foster care agencies, care homes, therapeutic artists community and arts projects within the community
- the NHS public health sector - psychiatric hospitals, a medium secure unit and a community learning difficulty team
- the education sector - special schools, colleges, pupil referral units and youth projects
This broad experience has given me an insight into organisational racism and how many of these institutions can re-traumatise both the clients and the practitioners.
Ongoing professional development
I have completed numerous trainings that enable me to work skilfully and sensitively including:
- The Relational Nature of Shame in the Therapeutic Relationship
- Diploma in Embodied-Relational Therapy
- Working with survivors of child sexual abuse; using arts interventions safely
- Awareness in Children & Young People’s Bereavement Care
- Working Creatively with Trauma Survivors
- Dissociation, Attachment Theory & Trauma
- The Challenge Of Racism In Therapeutic Practice
- Embodying Power and Difference in the Clinical Relationship
Member organisations
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.
Health and Care Professions Council
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
Photos & videos
Fees
Therapy - sixty minute session £50 / ninety minutes = £65
Creative Supervision - sixty minute session = £55 / ninety mins = £75
Initial Meeting - sixty minute session £50
Concessionary rates are available, please ask
Group Work / Training - I have devised and facilitated bespoke experiential and interactive workshops and courses for groups and organisations such as: Adlerian Society of Wales, Cruse Bereavement Care, Arts Care/Gofal Celf, Aberystwyth University Lifelong Learning and Dramatherapy Wales conferences.
If you have any questions or want to arrange an initial meeting please email me.
Concessions offered for
Availability
I work near Cardigan on Wednesdays and in Carmarthen on Thursdays. During the Covid restrictions I have used online platforms such as Skype or Zoom; on Wednesdays I can meet outdoors.
Further information
Playback Theatre
I have been a playback theatre performer for over eighteen years. Playback is a form of improvised theatre that immediately ‘plays-back’ the audience’s stories using drama, music and poetry. This practice reminds me how 'the personal is also political' and how ‘being witnessed and heard’ can bring about transformation within communities. I am an Accredited Playback Theatre Trainer with the School of Playback Theatre UK.
In Wales I am a co-founder and performer with The Golden Thread Playback Theatre company with other arts therapists.
