As a HCPC Certified Arts Psychotherapist, I ran both group and individual creative therapy sessions within which I use stories as a way to engage patients’ imagination and offer creative activities which encourage people to engage with their feelings and sense of self from a different perspective. This role gave me experience working with acutely mentally unwell patients, as well as working with a more goal orientated approach with those who were about to be discharged. I work flexibly depending on clients needs and always have a person-centred approach, meeting individuals where they are at and offering them to use the therapeutic space in whatever way they need.

Working in a primary school with both neurotypical and autistic students, using games, story, metaphor, image making and movement as a way to connect with them as individuals and build an understanding of their current needs and possible struggles.

Part of this job was planning and leading drama and dance after-school clubs with the aim of improving confidence and
communication skills using drama, games, stories and singing. The other part of the role was going into schools and leading workshops during the day around a theme chosen by the institution e.g. social media, history of the Egyptians, creative writing skills. Using the chosen theme and given exercises I would make the sessions my own; remaining energetic and informative and taking on different characters and using narratives and drama to engage the pupils in a way that differed from in the classroom.
I played a part in writing reports and holding feedback meetings with parents, encouraging them to sign up to the after-school groups, as well as communicating with schools to arrange workshops. Finally, I also hosted children’s birthday parties which has a designated theme/character e.g. Frozen, Alice in Wonderland, Garden theme.

Working with teachers in the UK, USA, China and Australia acquiring online resources for Drama and English.
This role included tailoring information and my approach to the personal needs of each school/teacher and pitching/proving to them how our online resources could help. I also had a big role in the company's social team, creating and communicating about events which encouraged team bonding, self-care and wellness both inside and outside of the office.

Co-facilitating and leading a closed group of children with severe autism and other complex learning or physical disabilities (including one non-verbal client). I commonly worked metaphorically with many stories and props on these sessions, looking at the human senses and the imagination, entering their world and providing a safe space where their autism didn’t need to be censored. Group songs and journeying through stories together encouraged relationships between group members, allowing us therapists to see what emotions the clients were both consciously and subconsciously conveying.

Co-facilitated and solo facilitated Drama therapy sessions with older adults who had a range of mental health conditions including dementia, bipolar, psychosis amongst others. These were group sessions which used story, art and poetry to encourage the clients to speak about their own lives and how they were feeling being in the temporary assessment ward. Games were used to encourage connection and relationships to be made between group
members.