Creative mental health support sessions
Individual support
I offer a private and confidential creative space to support young people and adults to improve their mental health and wellbeing. I have significant experiencing supporting people with anxiety, depression, low self esteem, improving self compassion and disordered eating. I am also able to make adjustments for any personal needs such as neurodiversity.
Following an initial consultation (free) and then assessment (90 minutes £90), we will work together on agreed goals. Sessions that follow are for 1 hour (£65), usually weekly.
Group support
I have facilitated therapeutic groups within my mental health nursing practice for many years, more recently also using creativity. This work has been within the NHS for 25 years and also with charities (Oxford Health Art Partnership and Homeless Oxfordshire) and local communities. I plan and deliver creative sessions or workshops to facilitate therapeutic mental and physical health recovery support. This has been across all ages and using art for improved health within hospitals and communities. References are available upon request.
How I can help you
We would always start a session with a grounding creative warm up. Using creative methods is about focusing on the process, we will not be worrying about what the art making looks like. So you do not have to be ‘a creative person’ to benefit from this approach. Creativity is used to support the recovery process by using imagery, mark making and words, which takes the pressure off worrying about what to say or how to verbally communicate something. There is no right or wrong way to express yourself and if you feel more comfortable using more traditional talking therapies we can do this as well.
Why I use creativity to improve wellbeing, support healing and mental health recovery
Many years ago I burnt out and discovering my creative identity was a big part of my recovery. I began to paint and I haven’t stopped since. Being creative allows me to play and experiment which supports me to grow. Making art helps me express myself and my sketch books are my journal. These personal experiences have made me so passionate to share this with others to improve mental health. It has been a joy and pleasure to combine this with my extensive mental health nursing experience and training and see the impact on people.