About Me
I am a trained art therapist and have undertaken additional studies in psychology. Since qualifying twenty years ago, I have continued to update my professional training, knowledge, and development through courses including Trauma-Focused Training and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and completed a Professional Doctorate in Psychological Trauma researching the subject of multiple sudden bereavements and cumulative grief.
I am a counselling art therapist based in Blandford, Dorset with the skills and experience to provide support that uses both talking and art therapy, or sometimes mainly one or the other. There is no 'one size fits all' approach to therapy and we will discuss at the outset how you feel most comfortable working, and review it as sessions progress. As an integrative therapist, there are various approaches I can utilise to best suit your requirements.
My role is to provide space and support to help you to examine your situation and identify choices and potential changes that you would like to make. It can be easier to talk to someone from outside your day-to-day life to help you to reflect on the difficulties or problems you are experiencing. We will take time to explore your situation together to help you to examine your thoughts and feelings and consider fresh perspectives, leading the way to increased self-awareness and new understanding.
My Qualifications
- Professional Doctorate (DProf) in Psychological Trauma
- Masters in Art Therapy (MA Art Therapy)
- Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Grad Dip Psych)
- Bachelor of Education (BEd)
My Experience
I currently work in private practice in Dorset and online, and with a Community Interest Company (CIC) supporting veterans and their family members.
I have experience of working with diverse client populations including:
- Bone marrow transplant and other cancer patients in hospital and community settings
- Women's domestic violence refuge
- Serving Armed Forces personnel and Veterans
- Rural and remote communities served by the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia, supporting a wide range of issues
- Individuals and communities in overseas humanitarian aid settings during deployments with UN agencies and the Australian Red Cross in Iraq, Jordan, Tonga, and the Philippines
- During my deployment in Iraq, I provided psychosocial support to traumatised, severely injured survivors of the terrorist bombing of the UN HQ in Baghdad, with some opting to engage in art therapy during the early stages of their psychological and physical rehabilitation.
My prior experience has also included the provision of creative wellbeing workshops (expressive art, rather than art therapy) for groups in community and workplace settings.