My Approach

I offer a blend of talking therapy and creative, reflective techniques to help people tell their stories including; sand-tray, guided imagery/visualisations, intuitive art-making, mindfulness, metaphor, dream-work. All these art forms serve as creative tools to help people externalise inner dynamics/conflicts, as well as get in touch with inner resources. My aim is to introduce any arts media in gently paced ways that feel natural within the flow of conversation, to bring about new perspectives, learning and insight. Sometimes we will talk only, and that is equally valid.

My approach is rooted in a blend of humanistic, person-centred, Jungian, existential, attachment, psychodynamic and creative arts therapy theories. You don't have to be an artist to benefit from arts psychotherapy, although artists often find that this process enlivens their practice, and helps them find and build confidence in their own, authentic voice.

My practice, 'Silver Owl Arts Psychotherapy & Creative Retreats' is based at Studio 34, a purpose-built, creative, therapeutic space in Archway, with panoramic views over London. Designed to offer sanctuary and retreat, Studio 34 offers both comfort and creative art-making areas.

About Me

With 25 years of experience in mental health, creativity and wellbeing, I am an integrative arts psychotherapist, published author, creative workshop facilitator and TEDx speaker. Alongside offering therapy to people with specific mental health difficulties, I support people navigating life transitions, who wish to break self-defeating patterns and bring more authentic relating and creative expression into their lives.

Prior to moving into private practice, I've worked with adults in a variety of settings including The London Art Therapy Centre, Women + Health centre and the Miscarriage and Pregnancy Loss clinic for Newham Hospital, London. My qualifications include a Diploma and Masters in Integrative Arts Psychotherapy from The Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education, a Certificate in Psychotherapy and Counselling from Regents University, and a BA in Modern Languages from Bristol University.

I am passionate about empowering people to reconnect to their innate, natural creativity, as a driver for wellbeing, equality and positive social change. Despite the challenging times we live in, I continue to be a great believer in the human spirit to restore and rebuild itself after adversity and loss, and in the power of creativity to enable deeper, more fulfilling connections with self and others. While I work with adults in 1-1 arts psychotherapy, I write for children, and run seasonal creative workshops and retreats across the year to help women to connect to natural creativity and rewild imagination.

Story is at the root of my work; helping people tell theirs, and writing my own. As author, I have penned eight books published by Speechmark, Routledge - six 'Therapeutic Fairy Tales' to support children, adults and families on topics of anxiety, OCD, loneliness, parental separation/divorce, parental depression, end of life themes. I am co-author of 'The 'Storybook Manual' for practitioners on the creative and therapeutic use of storybooks and 'Rewilding Children's Imaginations' - a seasonal arts manual for teachers, group workers, using creative arts activities and folktales from around the world to help children and groups connect with nature, both inside and outside. I am also Author/Illustrator of the 'Sometimes I Feel' Story Cards. In 2012, I was invited to give a TEDx talk, The Heroine's Journey' exploring art as an inner compass in times of transition. I was also Head of Story for artgym's award-Winning 'The Moving Theatre' feature film documentary - using live interviews, theatre and puppetry to explore life-changing stories of migration.

I work with

• Groups
• Individuals
• Private healthcare referrals

Special Interests

Like all UKCP registered psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors I can work with a wide range of issues, but here are some areas in which I have a special interest or additional experience.

Types of Therapies Offered

• Integrative Arts Psychotherapist

What I can help with

• Abuse
• Age-related Issues
• Anorexia
• Anxiety
• Bereavement
• Bulimia
• Cancer
• Depression
• Eating Disorders
• Identity Problems
• Infertility
• Mental Health Issues
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Parents
• Phobias
• Relationships
• Spirituality
• Stress