Who I Am
I am a fully qualified and registered integrative arts psychotherapist and research psychologist. Working in an integrative way, means that my training enables me to draw upon a number of different theories and approaches (i.e., Humanistic (client/person-centred), Transactional Analysis, Attachment, Psychoanalytical, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Gestalt).
My work as a research psychologist means that I keep abreast of cutting-edge research, with a keen eye for critically evaluating evidence as it relates to my practice. Therein, I like to work in a way which also enables the work I do with each client to be evidence based. My approach, when needed, can also include techniques and methodology which inform the domain of art therapy: Some clients believe that they need to be ‘arty’ or to have some art experience in order to engage with this way of working. However, this is not the case.
Pictorial cognition (e.g., thinking and communicating through images/imagery) is one of many forms of thinking in non-verbal representations (Horowitz, 1967). Often, we do not have the words to describe what we are feeling. In fact, research demonstrates that language often constrains the ways in which we think (Brown, 1986): so being able to ‘step-outside’ of the language we use can be incredibly useful and productive. In this way, working with imagery can help to give form and meaning to that which is felt, but unobservable (e.g., Malchiodi, 1998; Horowitz, 1967). Working in this way, can also be beneficial if you are experiencing a creative block in your thinking/work.
My work as a research psychologist means that I keep abreast of cutting-edge research, with a keen eye for critically evaluating evidence as it relates to my practice. Therein, I like to work in a way which also enables the work I do with each client to be evidence based. My approach, when needed, can also include techniques and methodology which inform the domain of art therapy: Some clients believe that they need to be ‘arty’ or to have some art experience in order to engage with this way of working. However, this is not the case.
Pictorial cognition (e.g., thinking and communicating through images/imagery) is one of many forms of thinking in non-verbal representations (Horowitz, 1967). Often, we do not have the words to describe what we are feeling. In fact, research demonstrates that language often constrains the ways in which we think (Brown, 1986): so being able to ‘step-outside’ of the language we use can be incredibly useful and productive. In this way, working with imagery can help to give form and meaning to that which is felt, but unobservable (e.g., Malchiodi, 1998; Horowitz, 1967). Working in this way, can also be beneficial if you are experiencing a creative block in your thinking/work.