About me
Sometimes you know something isn’t right but putting it into words feels difficult. Many people come to art therapy when they feel anxious, burnt out, stuck, or are carrying experiences that are hard to talk about directly. Some have tried counselling before and found that traditional talking therapy didn’t quite fit.
Art therapy combines creative expression with therapeutic conversation, allowing us to explore thoughts and feelings in ways that don’t rely on words.
I’m an HCPC-registered Art Psychotherapist offering trauma-informed art therapy and counselling for adults, young people and teens experiencing trauma, neurodivergence, identity exploration and/or emotional overwhelm. I have ten years experience in delivering trauma therapy to survivors of sexual violence, domestic abuse, CPTSD and developmental trauma, through Rape Crisis, Barnardo's and within colleges.
Many people who come to therapy with me have spent years feeling misunderstood, like they're too complicated, too different, too much, or not enough. I don't believe you need to present yourself neatly or have the right words ready before you come. I offer a space where all parts of you are welcome, no matter how messy, complicated, or confusing they may feel. You don't have to perform, mask, or be a certain way. Together, we can be curious about your experiences without judgement or rushing towards solutions.
I value honesty, gentleness, and building a relationship in which you feel genuinely seen and accompanied, rather than analysed from a distance.
Who I Work With
I offer art therapy for adults, young people and teens experiencing:
• anxiety, depression, burnout or low self-esteem
• PTSD, complex trauma or childhood trauma
• the impact of abuse, sexual violence or difficult life experiences
• relationship or family difficulties
• gender identity or LGBTQIA+ identity exploration
• late-diagnosed autism or ADHD
• neurodivergent burnout, masking or identity questions
Many of the people I work with are neurodivergent, queer, or survivors of complex trauma (including those diagnosed with personality disorders) and are looking for therapy that feels flexible, creative and non-judgemental
Why Art Therapy?
Art therapy can help when talking alone doesn’t feel like enough
Using materials such as paint, clay, collage and drawing, art therapy allows us to explore experiences visually as well as verbally
Art therapy can help you:
• express feelings that feel difficult to say out loud
• regulate emotions while exploring trauma or distress
• develop self-awareness and emotional regulation
• recognise patterns in relationships and behaviour
• build self-esteem and self-compassion
Art therapy can be particularly helpful for people who are autistic, ADHD, highly sensitive, or who process things visually or non-linearly
You don’t need to be artistic. Art therapy isn’t about making “good art”. It’s about using creative materials to explore your inner world safely and at your own pace.
My Approach
I work using an integrative and trauma-informed approach, drawing from both directive and non-directive ways of working to support exploration, growth, and healing. Art can help us regulate, express and sit with difficult emotions, connect with our inner child and other less-heard parts of ourselves, explore unconscious processes, and find creative ways of navigating everyday life.
I believe you are the expert on your own life, and therapy is about creating a space where insight, healing and change can emerge
Experience
I have over 10 years experience working in trauma services, supporting adults and young people with complex emotional needs.
My work includes supporting clients with:
• PTSD and complex PTSD (C-PTSD)
• developmental and attachment trauma
• personality disorders (particularly BPD/ EUPD and HPD)
• anxiety, depression and emotional/ sensory regulation
• the long-term effects of childhood abuse, sexual violence and domestic abuse
• the impact of late-identified autism and ADHD
Alongside my therapeutic work, I have four years experience as a counselling tutor teaching levels 3–6
LGBTQIA+, Gender & Relationship Diversity
As a queer therapist, I offer an affirming space for Gender, Sexual and Relationship Diversity (GSRD).
I work with:
• LGBTQIA+ clients
• trans and non-binary individuals
• people exploring gender identity
• ethically non-monogamous relationships
• kink and BDSM communities
You shouldn’t have to educate your therapist about who you are
Supervision
I also offer one-to-one supervision for trainee and qualified therapists of varying approaches, as well as a monthly creative group supervision for therapists in/around Bolton
My supervision integrates discussion and creative reflection, drawing on the Seven-Eyed Model of Supervision and feminist supervision approaches, as well as making space for creative self and practice reflection
Getting in Touch
If you’re interested in exploring art therapy, trauma-informed therapy or clinical supervision, you’re welcome to get in touch to arrange an initial conversation
Training, qualifications & experience
- MA Art Psychotherapy
- BA (Hons) Counselling
- Diploma in Transactional Analysis
- Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) (teaching qualification)
I am committed to continuously developing as a therapist, which includes engaging in training, attending conferences and events, and maintaining up to date understanding of research and development within the fields of counselling and mental health. This has included:
- Trauma and Abuse
- Developmental Trauma and Brain Impairment
- Gender, Sexual and Romantic Diversity (GSRD) including LGBTQIA+ community, ethical non-monogamy and kink
- Neuorodivergence
- Mental Health
- Personality Disorders
- Inner Child Therapy
And more...
Previous experience as a therapist includes The Blue Door (formerly Grimsby & Scunthorpe Rape Crisis), The Haven Trauma Service at Barnardo's, Grimsby Carers Service and Blackburn College.
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
£60.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I reserve a set number of low cost sessions- these are currently full
When I work
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Further information
I am available to deliver training, talks and/or workshops to groups upon request. I have previously delivered similar events for Leeds Beckett University, Rainbow Therapy in Scotland, Humberside Police, North East Lincolnshire Council, Blackburn College, Edge Hill University, The Blue Door, Barnardo's and UCEN Manchester.
Previous topics/workshops have included: Trauma-informed practice, Emergency Self-Care Toolkits, Storytelling in Art Therapy, LGBTQIA+ experiences, Working with Neurodivergence, Responding to Survivors of Abuse, Using Art in Higher Education, Power in Therapy with Marginalised Groups, BDSM and Therapy. Other topics are available upon request.
