About

ABOUT ME

I am an experienced therapist and supervisor registered with the British Psychoanalytic Council, British Association of Art Therapists, Health and Care Professions Council and the Association for Psychodynamic Practice in Organisational Settings. I have extensive experience and training in both talk therapy and art therapy, and I offer sessions online. I aim to provide a space that is steady, respectful, and containing, where difficult thoughts and feelings can be approached safely.

Current Activities

• • Therapist in private practice
  • Clinical Supervisor
  • Lecturer University of the Highlands and Islands
  • Tutor-Supervisor British Association of Art Therapists Supervision Diploma
  • Committee member Association for Outdoor Therapy UK

SERVICES

Private practice

Who I work with

In my private practice I work with young adults and adults facing different life challenges. These tend to include navigating complex relationships, family and childhood difficulties, trauma and transitions, though these issues can sometimes present as loneliness, anxiety, depression or low self-confidence. I also work with people exploring their identity, for example, exploring experiences of neurodivergence (ADHD, autism etc.)  or experiences of sexuality and gender.

I find it truly meaningful to accompany and support clients in these explorations, so that they can imagine how they might wish to move forwards.

The space I offer

I aim to provide a thoughtful, collaborative space in which we can explore what feels important to each person, at their own pace. Through shared dialogue and sensitive exchange, we will endeavour to build a professional relationship that feels safe-enough for each person to consider the challenges they currently face. This may be through words, but we may also lean on image-making or somatic processing, if this feels appropriate. Paying attention to images and our bodily process can offer a powerful way of accessing and expressing thoughts or feelings which may otherwise be hard to put into words.

My approach

My approach is grounded in contemporary psychodynamic and psychoanalytic principles, combined with somatic interventions (SI) and, where appropriate, art psychotherapy (AT) and mentalisation-based techniques (MBT). I find that these evidence-informed approaches provide a solid foundation for therapeutic work. Psychoanalytic theory helps us to make sense of how the past may be informing patterns, thoughts, and behaviours in the present. Working with the body and creative processes can help us to process memory and trauma that is stored in the body, not just the mind. Finally, working with MBT approaches can make therapy more relatable and accessible

My wider experience

I also bring experience of working in third-sector organisations, institutional settings, and community projects, which informs my understanding of how personal difficulties can be shaped by wider systems. My work as an organisational therapist also allows me to support clients facing the complexities of working-life -whether that is workplace relationships, institutional dynamics, burnout, leadership, or the personal impact of professional roles.

Working with difference

I value the thoughtful engagement that working with difference requires, and I welcome clients with diverse life experiences and beliefs.

Supervision

I offer supervision for psychotherapists and art therapists, as well consultation for non-clinical practitioners, such as outdoor and mental health professionals.

My intention is to create a supervisory environment that feels safe-enough to facilitate thinking and reflection. The focus of sessions will be whatever the practitioner defines as most useful for them in that moment. Through a collaborative approach, I hope to establish a working relationship that allows the practitioner to feel able to bring the parts of their practice that may feel more vulnerable or challenging, and thus facilitate growth and development. My approach is broadly psychodynamic, whilst holding in mind somatic interventions and trauma-informed practice. I supervise both indoor and outdoor work.

Nature-based therapy practice

Over the past decade I have worked therapeutically outdoors in different capacities, as the therapeutic lead on Scottish Wilderness Therapy Programmes for vulnerable young people. I worked as a nature-based therapist for Venture Trust, later becoming the Clinical Practice Manager, which included having oversight of the clinical Outdoor Therapy Service. I have found value in working therapeutically outdoors and, even when working online, it can be that the natural world is part of our work. I am accustomed to working with feelings associated with the climate crisis, such as eco-grief and eco-anxiety.

Teaching

I am a lecturer on the Post Graduate Certificate in Outdoor and Adventure Therapeutic Practice at the University of the Highlands and Islands. I have developed and lead various trainings in Outdoor Therapy for Venture Trust, as well as developing and facilitating a training in Nature-Based Art Therapy Principles and Practice for the British Association of Art Therapists. Most recently I developed a seminar on Nature-Based Supervision for the British Association of Art Therapists.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Registration

British Psychoanalytic Council

British Association of Art Therapists

Health and Care Professions Council

Association for Psychodynamic Practice
 and Counselling in Organisational Settings

Qualifications

Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy Supervision (Physis Scotland, Edinburgh)

MA. Art Psychotherapy (Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona)

BA. Scandinavian Studies (University College London, London)

Challenges in Global Health Postgraduate Diploma (Uppsala University, Sweden)

NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care (Edexcel, London)

Foundation Certificate in Art & Design (University of the Arts, London)

Further qualifications

Psychoanalytic-Psychotherapy

Psychodynamic Counselling with Children and Young People. (Susan Maciver)

Facilitating Reflective Practice Groups. (Tavistock and Portman Clinic)

Introducing Psychoanalytic ideas on Violence, Sexual Deviancy and Delinquency. (Tavistock and Portman Clinic)

Working With and Facilitating Groups. (Tavistock & Portman Clinic)

Introduction to Systemic Family Therapy. (Tavistock & Portman Clinic)

Understanding Development in Adolescence. (Tavistock & Portman Clinic)

Impact of Abortion in Family Dynamics Seminar (iPsi)

Family and Couple Therapy Seminar (Art Therapy Space)

Psychoanalysis, Sublimation and Art (ATE)

Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy – Theoretical concepts of Freud (IPSI)

Art Psychotherapy

Advanced Art Therapy Training with MBT approach (Metaforá)

Art Therapy with Children suffering Trauma (Dinsart)

Photo-therapy Training (ATE)

Introduction to Transdisciplinary Art Therapy (IATBA)

Mentalisation Based Therapy

Adolescent Mentalization Based Integrative Therapy (Vidal & Barraguer Foundation)

Mentalisation Based Therapy with Adults (Anna Freud Centre)

Mentalisation Based Therapy with Adolescents (Anna Freud Centre)

Introduction to Mentalisation & Art Therapy (Neil Springham)

Trauma training

Somatic Interventions: Foundations (Ricki Bernstein)

Somatic Interventions: Working with Attachment (Ricki Bernstein)

Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy Introduction (AEDP Institute)

Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy Immersion (AEDP Institute)

Outdoor Therapy (Spain, Belgium & UK)

Working Therapeutically Outdoors (Hayley Marshall)

Experiential therapy seminars (Experientia Association)

Therapy Outdoors: Embodiment Workshop (Hayley Marshall)

Art Therapy Outdoors (Anat Rafael)

Formal Institutional Qualifications

Data Protection and Confidentiality (Sitra)

Child Protection Lead Training (NSPCC)

Multi-Agency Child Protection Training (Edinburgh Council)

Drugs Awareness Training (Mental Health and Management Training Services)

Risk and Recovery – Recovery Training ­­Wellness Recovery Action Plan (St Martin of Tours)

Managing Challenging Behaviour (Turning Point)