I am an Artist, Art Psychotherapist, Jungian Sandplay Therapist, Bereavement Counsellor and Trauma Informed School Practitioner and Trainer. I have many years experience of working with young people and adults within the field of psychotherapy and the arts and am well informed in the need for Trauma Informed Schools/community approaches to be developed across all ages.

I was 16yrs old when I first got involved in working with young people as a member of the Y.M.C.A. I developed my love of youth work both locally in the potteries (Stoke On Trent) where I was born and Internationally through Y.Care International, an overseas project I helped develop in the Gambia. Having left school without any formal qualifications, I returned to formal education in my 30’s to attain AS levels through the Access programme. I have not looked back since and going on to train in counselling and then to Art School.

My love of art and counselling provided me with a clear career path into the Arts and Education. After studying at the Institute for Arts in Education and Psychotherapy in London, I went on to Queens University Belfast, to attain an Msc. in Art Therapy. I then progressed into Jungian Sandplay Therapy, training in London with the British and Irish Association of Sandplay. In 2018, I returned to the Institute in London to develop my knowledge and understanding of the impact trauma has on the lives of our young people and qualified as a Trauma Informed Schools Practitioner and Trainer.

However, throughout all the above training’s I was always hands on in developing my skills on the front line, working with young people, vulnerable adults and adults from all walks of life.

I have 40 years of experience on the front line and a depth of insight and knowledge in the core theoretical perspectives of the arts, psychotherapy, jungian sandplay and trauma informed practice. In addition using my learnings from research in ACE (adverse childhood experiences), CATT (child accelerated trauma technique) and neuroscience, I can offer bespoke training to reflect what your organisation/school/business requires in order to grow and develop your team to deliver a grounded and supportive approach to trauma informed awareness for service users.

Website www.arttherapyworks.co.uk