About

I am a Lecturer in Therapeutic Arts at Derby University with my focus on teaching and supporting students on the MA Art Psychotherapy course. My role centres on supporting students to develop into thoughtful, ethical and responsive therapists through a combination of academic learning, experiential exploration and reflective professional development. This includes the facilitation of reflective practice groups where students can think about their emerging identity as an Art Therapist, linking theory to practice, and examining their developing clinical skills, supporting them to navigate the complexities of therapeutic work in real world settings. A key part of my role also involves facilitating an experiential training group, where students can engage in creative processes and reflect on group dynamics.

Overall, my aim is to contribute to ensuring that students gain the theoretical understanding and practical skills necessary for safe and effective work as future art psychotherapists.

Teaching responsibilities

I teach across the majority of modules on the MA Art Psychotherapy. I am the module lead for the first year clinical placement module, where we support students in preparing for and engaging in their placement work, later becoming a reflective practice group to support the trainees work on placement. I also teach across the theory modules that introduce key psychotherapeutic concepts and their relevance to art psychotherapy.

I also facilitate an experiential group that runs across both years of the programme, supporting students in developing awareness of group processes and creative practice. In addition, I supervise trainees completing their independent scholarship in the second year of the training. I also act as a personal tutor for a dedicated tutor group, providing ongoing academic and pastoral support throughout their training.

Membership of professional bodies

HCPC 

BAAT

Qualifications

BA(hons) Creative Expressive Therapies - University of Derby

MA Art Psychotherapy - University of Derby

Experience in industry

Over my career I have worked in a variety of settings, including for the NHS within Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and Eating Disorder services.  I have also worked within specialist residential services with young people who have experienced significant trauma and those that care for them. I have also set up much needed mental health support within schools, working therapeutically with both young people and school based staff, as well as providing training, consultation and supervision. I also have my own private practice providing both art therapy and supervision services.