Creative Psychotherapies Edinburgh

Approach

My training in Creative Psychotherapy (CP) is psychodynamic in its foundation, and it stems from psychoanalysis, a method developed by Sigmund Freud, and is a classic approach for a relatively young form of treatment. As in all forms of treatment, it is always growing, maturing and developing according to the needs of the person in therapy.

My approach involves creativity as an added element in reaching the subconscious and engaging in a safe environment of connecting and understanding our Psyche. CP was started by artists in the UK and USA working with soldiers at the end of World War II who suffered from severe PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Since then it has evolved immensely in its methods and its range of clinical practice. Following the current waves of understanding, CP has become much more open in its approach to viewing the individual and more inclusive of other approaches as every individual has needs that are not necessarily encapsulated by one approach only. Neuroscience re-enforces what is observed in CP in a direct view of the brain mapping and functions.

I am interested in understanding the human psyche as much as being a facilitator of the person that searches for a journey within. This is an interest that has grown from my need to understand myself. What is it that makes us love, hate, give, and take, feel pain and pleasure often at the same time? What motivates us to climb up mountains, to dive into the depths of the sea, to create and to destroy? What is ailing us and what is healing us? What happens when we are lost alone and in pain? What is going on in our endless universe that is called Psyche?

Education

My training started in Fine Art Sculpture at the Edinburgh College of Art where I graduated in 1998. My artwork is based on the idea of Communication and how it works on a conscious and subconscious level. How it affects our body, our perception, our connection with ourselves, the environment and ultimately with our Psyche and finding our place in the world.

My training continued in Art Psychotherapy (AP) and I gained my MSc in AP in 2006. Art and Psychology are the subjects that have always been close to my heart and mind. In my art, the inward looking of my Psyche offers an infinitely fertile ground for learning as the shapes and forms that materialise have endless stories to tell. In a similar manner, creative work in psychotherapy is a crucial tool in helping the Psyche express herself and allowing us a window into the landscape hidden within us.

During my training in CP, I participated in the European Conference of Arts Therapies (ECARTE) International Conference in Crete, Greece. Presenting a paper on “Issues in training in Psychotherapy, The Difference Between Theory and Practice”. Naturally, the subject matter of this paper has evolved over time and as a result of my teaching in my role as a lecturer. My classes are mostly designed as workshops involving students’ participation rather than seminars.

In 2021 I qualified as a clinical practitioner in Psychosexual and Relations Therapy (PRT), having trained at Relationships Scotland. It was an arduous journey as part of the training was during the pandemic. That forced many therapists to work online, learn new skills, and adjust to a changing landscape in therapy. Furthermore, I offer couples therapy, and therapy with sex addiction problems as long as there are no legal or criminal issues.

Experience

I started my private practice as a Creative Psychotherapist (CP) in 2015, after many years of experience as a sessional or a volunteer psychotherapist in many services and settings. Since 2010, I have been delivering a course in Introduction to Creative Psychotherapy at the International Tallinn University Summer School in Tallinn, Estonia. I have designed and lead this course for students who are interested in learning about CP without having necessarily any prior experience or knowledge on the subject. During this time, I have expanded and refined my skills in organising, working with groups and teaching a subject that has the challenge of being still very young and often elusive as part of it relies on the ability to feel rather than think. I also work as a lecturer at Edinburgh College with people with mental health problems, addictions, Down's syndrome, autism, physical disabilities, and learning difficulties teaching art and crafts as my main subject. I have worked with women with post-natal depression at a Post-natal Depression Project, as an assistant to people with severe mental health problems, with adults going through crises, and chronic depression and at No21 counselling service.

My training started in 2002 and I gained my qualification in Creative/Art Psychotherapy in 2005. Since then, I have worked in a wide range of settings and client groups. During my training I had my practice in split placements that gave me a wider experience of the various services on offer at that time. I worked at a Resource Centre at Tynepark Resource Centre in Haddington for two years and alongside a senior art therapist working with people with Down's Syndrome, Autism and Epilepsy in Livingston. In my first year I had a split placement at the Stroke Rehabilitation Ward at the Royal Victoria Hospital and at the Student Counselling Services of Napier University. During my student years, I worked as a personal assistant to a visually impaired person at his work duties.

Expertise

I have worked with people with schizoid personality disorders, personality disorders, autism, learning difficulties, Down's syndrome, ADHD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Post Natal Depression, chronic depression, schizophrenia, bereavement, and addiction. Furthermore, I am working as an art and design lecturer at Edinburgh College with people with learning difficulties, challenging behaviour, autism, and Down's syndrome amongst other physical and mental health disabilities and difficulties.          

I am interested in working with adults, one-to-one, couples, and groups within the framework described above. I prefer to incorporate creative work in the therapeutic process. It is not a necessary part though if a person is not comfortable with the idea. The premise of the creative work though is to offer an extra and important tool in assisting the connection between emotions and cognition. It is a graceful and respectful tool in assisting the person I am working with, and myself to understand, connect, and shape a safe place for exploring and learning how to heal and grow. I also speak Greek and I am therefore I am happy to offer psychotherapy in Greek.