A bit about me, Alice.

I have always been a creative individual, even as a little dot, whether through play or artistically. When older I completed a BTEC national diploma in art and design at college and furthered this by completing a foundation degree in art. It was at this point, that I realised I did not wish to "be an artist", but instead work artistically to help people. There was something about connecting to others that felt really important to me, particularly through art. Miraculously, I found "Art Therapy", which teamed psychology with art to support others; it was a perfect fit.  From this, I completed an undergraduate degree in Creative expressive Therapies in art and moved on to complete my Masters in Art Therapy. I have facilitated creative workshops for people with dementia, which was an extremely rewarding experience. Having an activity coordinator role at an adult rehabilitation unit also ensured I understand the impact of mental health and importance of purposeful activities and self care. 

I am now a fully qualified Art Therapist whom is registered with the Health and care professions council (HCPC), British association of Art Therapists (BAAT) and Forensics Art Therapies advisory group (FATAG). I qualified in 2016 as an Art Therapist,  with an extensive background working creatively with people. During my training, I worked at a school for children with learning difficulties offering Art Therapy on a one to one basis. This brought to my attention various diagnosis and how the sensory aspect of art is oh so important in the healing process. I have facilitated Art Therapy groups at an NHS Military Veterans service, focusing upon depression and anxiety. This was an extremely fruitful and rewarding experience which offered me extensive knowledge around Military culture, challenges adapting back into civilian life and how to best support this clientele. I have previously worked within a secure environment, offering one to one and group Art Therapy to a diverse range of individuals in a challenging environment. This has given me an extensive knowledge of the impact of secure living and challenges this poses, including adopting a very non-judgmental approach. I then moved onto an NHS Specialist Learning Disabilities service for adults offering Art therapy to individuals within a large clinical team. Alongside this, I worked within a school for children with learning disabilities and difficulties which ranged from moderate to severe including non verbal communication methods. This was based within a split care and education setting.

 

I currently work within a Substance use & mental health team offering a blended approach of online and face to face talking and Art Therapy. Alongside this, I work with the HCPC as a panel member engaging in fitness to practice panels; a way of safeguarding the public. I offer private Art Therapy practice two days a week and some evenings, currently seeing face to face and online clients at schools and my Therapy space in Bourne, Lincolnshire. I am registered as a therapeutic provider for Lincolnshire County Council. 

My experience is a mix of both adults and children. I have extensive experience of working with those whom experience learning disabilities and difficulties, mental health issues, adopted and fostered children, trauma, PTSD, depression, personality disorders, physical challenges, loss, bereavement, substance use, anger and violent tendencies, self harm and suicidal behaviours, eating disorders, anxiety, Veterans and offending behaviours, to name a few! 

I believe art is extremely powerful in giving people a voice and enhancing their self-awareness. I create art in my personal time, particularly enjoying mixed medias, sculpture, abstract and collages; I love the depths and textures. I also enjoy crafts such as cross stitch, latch hooking, scrapbooking and card making. Having completed 2 years of personal creative counselling myself during my Master degree, I have an understanding of the challenges of engaging in Therapy. This informs my caring yet professional approach. I am passionate about creativity and supporting your emotional wellbeing via a consistent, honest, kind, understanding and sensitive approach without pressure. I work from a psychodynamic perspective; this means we consider together the underlying causes for the challenges you are facing. My work is person-centred, which means I work  in a mostly non directive way. Although I am flexible to meet client needs and may offer themes for images etc. I have the upmost respect for confidentiality and will always try to discuss any concerns with yourself. I take inspiration from CPD courses and artists around the world. I engage in monthly clinical supervision to ensure I am supporting and safeguarding you as best I can. I focus upon attachment theory, for example Bowlby and Winnicott and am interested in creativity and neuroscience; the way creating art connects with the nonverbal part of the brain and accesses trauma memory safely. This is something I wish to explore more, alongside expanding in private practice!

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Below are some of the continued professional development activities I engage in, to ensure I am up to date with theory, ethical working and offer best practice.

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CPD

2016

 Catharsis- “From Trainee to professional” 

 

2017

 “The Military human”, Training course based upon Military mental health needs and experiences via York St Johns University.

 

FATAG conference: “Daring to tread- Creativity within secure environments”.

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 University of Derby, “Therapy and the Brain” conference.

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SASH (Suicide and self harm) training, Sodexo justice services. 

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TEAM TEACH- Learning positive behaviour management and restrictive interventions safely within education departments.

 

2018

 Level 2 in understanding behaviour that challenges via Leicester college

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Level 2 in awareness of mental health via Leicester college

 

2019 Sodexo extremism “PREVENT” training via HMP, counter terrorism.

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HMP Dovegate therapeutic community open day.

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2020

Forensic Arts Therapies advisory group (FATAG) online conference.

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British association of Art Therapy (BAAT) Attachment and the arts conference.

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 HCPC panel member role

·   Diversity, equality and inclusion.

·   Information security.

·   Panel member roles.

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Sodexo Ingenium Health and safety online training, including slips and trips, working safely, risk assessments, safe systems of work, fire safety, PPE etc. 

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Art Therapy activity books created bi weekly for current and previous clients over the past year to support emotionally and offer respite from restricted regime. 

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2021

 NHS Positive behavioural Support.

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 NHS Relating to people training-de-escalation & breakaway technique.

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NHS Moving & Handling training.

 

NHS Basic life saving training- including anaphylaxis, choking, compressions, CPR, CPR during COVID, PPE, Defibrillator. 

 

Hertfordshire Safeguarding children Partnership Domestic abuse training.

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 NHS Induction training-  including Safeguarding adults level 1, 2& 3, Safeguarding children level 1, 2 & 3, FGM, health and safety, RIDDOR, PREVENT, GDPR, Mental Capacity Act, Risk assessments, complaints, fire safety etc. 

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Outcome Firsts group Reflective practice training-  professionals facilitating reflective practices to staff members. 

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CPI MAPA breakaway training-  including de-escalation and breakaway techniques.

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 Outcome Firsts group Level 1 Safeguarding Children..

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Outcome Firsts group Level 1 Therapeutic parenting.

 Outcome Firsts Group induction training-  Covering Fire safety, FGM, Safeguarding, GDPR, RIDDOR, PREVENT etc.

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HARMless training Suicide intervention.​​

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HARMless training Suicide bereavement

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Beacon House Developmental trauma course. 

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British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT) Clinical Supervision training –  offering individual Clinical Supervision, group Clinical Supervision, challenges, organizational dynamics and Supervision models, for example The Seven Eyed Model & Psychodynamic etc. 

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FATAG conference.

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2023​

BAAT region 8 workshop- Mentalisation with Neil Springham. ​

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BAAT training- Complex trauma and Art Therapy: Working with looked after children and their families. ​

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BAAT Training- Challenging dominant narratives from an LGBTQIA+ ​

 Outcome First Group- Ask Accept Develop (AAD) Training. 

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NSCP Norfolk Harmful sexual behaviour team

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BAAT, Psychoeducation in Art Therapy.