About me
I am passionate about empowering, supporting and enabling neurodivergent individuals to help communicate to themselves and understand how their unique brain works. I believe that it isn’t about being “good at Art”, it is about the process of making art that heals, not the end result. As someone who is neurodivergent, I recognise that every single individual is different in their own specific way. Therefore, it is my personal duty of care to ensure that I as a therapist provide and have a therapeutic practice and modality that is adaptable, versatile, warm and welcoming. I provide a safe, contained, non-judgmental therapeutic space for self-expression, encouraging individuals to communicate both verbally and non-verbally. I have my own private Art Psychotherapy studio which I designed, created and built myself. The studio is based in an old Mill next to a park and nature reserve, located in Stalybridge just outside of Manchester.
Ways of Working
Over the past 15 years I have studied, explored and refined my artistic therapeutic practice to ensure that my clients feel safe, secure and able to express themselves freely without fear, pressure or judgement. I believe that this can act as a springboard for clients to begin to understand their emotions, which in turn enables them to develop self-confidence, build self-esteem and begin to learn how to self-regulate whilst becoming more self-aware. I do this by using a person-centred psychodynamic approach. Focusing on the individual’s strengths, challenges, traumas, triggers and goals. Whilst having my own private practice, I also have trained, worked and practiced in various settings including all levels of education from primary to secondary mainstream, specialist school, higher education, NHS mental health community settings, rehabilitation centre’s and also within the voluntary sector. I have worked within these areas for over 10 years and have also taken my work globally, delivering Art Psychotherapy in parts of Asia.
The Types of Issues I Support Neurodivergent Clients With
- Self-esteem, self awareness, self confidence.
- Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)
- Depression
- Bereavement and Loss
- Health and Social Anxiety
- Anger
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Stress Management
- Early Intervention
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Anxiety
- Suicidal Tendencies
- Learning Difficulties
- Behavioural Difficulties
- Loneliness
- Body Dysmorphia
- Self-help
- Self-Harm
- Low Mood
- Wellbeing
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Eating Disorders
- Personality Disorder
- Seasonal Depression
Qualifications
I am dedicated to my profession. To see the journey that my clients embark on and to be able to be there to facilitate their life transitions gives me continuous faith in the art therapy process and the lasting effect it can have on a person’s life. This is why I am committed to delivering consistent therapy to each and every one of my clients.
Master (MA) of Art Psychotherapy.
Postgraduate Foundation Diploma in Fine Art.
Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree in Fine Art.
HCPC – Health and Care Professions Council Accredited – Reg. No AS15814
Foundation Diploma in Art Therapy
BAAT Qualified Clinical Supervisor
Qualified Art Psychotherapist Practitioner
BAAT – British Association of Art Therapists Member
DBS approved and on the DBS update service also.
Registered member with Data Security Information Governance.
Additional CPD Specific to Neurodiversity
A Neuro-Affirming Approach to Working with Autistic Clients
ADHD in The Therapy Room – A Neuro-Affirming Approach
Safeguarding Training with Children levels one, two and three.
Safeguarding Training with Adults levels one, two and three.
Trauma Informed Safeguarding Training.
Certification in Prevent Duty Training.
ADHD and Autism developmental trauma Training.
Autism and ADHD attachment training.