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Art Psychotherapy

Art Therapy is creative talking therapy with its origins in psychodynamic and attachment theories (amongst others). As such, it can help us to look at some of the challenges we face in the present, and how our relationships and life experiences can shape how we view ourselves and the world around us. 

 

The creative process can help facilitate communication of the individuals internal world and what may feel unspeakable, in a way that feels safe, non-threatening and contained. The nature of art making engages individuals on physiological, emotional and cognitive levels, and this integration can better enable individuals in articulating their feelings, needs and experiences. 


Creativity can be a powerful tool for those struggling with adjusting to their new and evolving identity, which is often exacerbated by idealised notions of parenthood and loss of connection with a sense of self. Discovering this sense of agency in the creative process, supports meaning-making and redefining an identity that integrates core values with authenticity.

The use of appropriate creative materials can also be inherently soothing, playful and enjoyable. There is no need for clients to have any experience or training in the arts, and the therapist will be there to support non-judgementally.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing)

EMDR is a recommended therapeutic intervention for parents who have experienced trauma as a result of experiences connected to the perinatal period. Examples of this can include traumatic birth, baby loss, and experiences of feeling unheard, unseen and discriminated against in/by health care systems.

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Traumatic experiences, if blocked from being processed, can negatively impact on the parent's ability to care for themselves and their baby as they would hope. Symptoms that might occur as a result of this may include flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, and intense, frequent & enduring feelings of fear, grief and depression.


EMDR is informed by Adaptive Information Processing theory, and aims to aid the individual's natural processing ability. There are broadly three stages which include:

  1. grounding and safety

  2. recollection and processing

  3. integration and reconnecting

This can help in transformation of negative self-beliefs that may have developed as a result of traumatic experiences into more positive self-beliefs, future resilience and learning. 

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My Approach
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