Health and Wellbeing
As a registered Dramatherapist I believe the Arts have an important role to play in supporting people's mental health and wellbeing. The beauty of such an approach is in its ability to embrace all ages and cultural differences and non-dependent on cognitive abilities. Furthermore the Arts can travel beyond language with the ability to journey deep into people’s unconscious.
I believe in the power of drama, adapted forms of drama and other creative Art forms to transform people’s lives for the better. No longer do you need to feel constrained by daily struggles, negative thought patterns, lack of purpose and direction.
I employ a range of techniques including: story telling (improvised, scripted) movement, guided visualisation, puppetry, embodiment, sculpting (through embodiment, using objects or the natural landscape), mindfulness, meditation, improvisation, and mask work.
I offer a creative and safe space where an individual within a group work setting can tell their story, achieve emotional and physical integration, expand their depth of inner experiences, boost their self-confidence, improve their self-esteem, increase their mental and emotional flexibility and improve their interpersonal / social skills.
Group work offers participants with similar problems / challenges to become aware that they are not alone in life and this mutual support can be profoundly healing. It helps participants move beyond their isolation, promotes hope which in turn helps to facilitate the change process.
Wherever possible I look to work outdoors which offers a ‘resting place’ for participants to find peace and stillness within the natural environment. Activities / exercises offer the opportunity to combine creativity with the healing power of nature. Research around the human-nature contact points to the psychological, cognitive, physiological, social and spiritual benefits of interacting with nature.
I have taken a keen interest in weaving the Celtic calendar into my practice to enhance the depth of the human-nature connection.
Participants are supported to work at their own pace and within their own limitations. The workshops encourage participants to be playful and have fun which opens up opportunities for new discoveries and insights.
Nature Heals
Nature Restores
‘’Actions speak louder than words’’