Mental & Emotional Health programmes

I am delighted to announce that I am now a Drawing and Talking Independent Practitioner providing mental health support in the Fareham area.
As children and as adults, changes are always constant in our lives but that doesn’t mean we feel able to manage the emotions, worries and anxieties that are created alongside them. These changes, whatever their cause, can impact negatively on our mental health, our sense of wellbeing and our self esteem.

Sometimes we are unable to make sense of how we are feeling and how these feelings impact on our happiness and ability to face the world around us.

As a Talking and Drawing Independent Practitioner, my emotional support programmes create a safe and non-confrontational space for children, teens and adults to process internal emotions at their own pace. Through drawing and storytelling, this Tier 1 intervention helps you reach a more balanced sense of wellbeing.

I have long been aware of the benefits of drawing and being creative, even before I became a professional artist and art tutor. Any kind of drawing or creating is such a vital part of wellbeing whether you make something, doodle or think you can’t draw. Since lockdown, the majority of my art courses have focused on creative mindfulness and wellbeing and working with so many people who are looking for additional mental health and emotional support has led me to train as a Drawing and Talking Independent Practitioner.

I have over 10 years experience of working inclusively with children and adults through a person-centred and empowering approach to building creativity and confidence. This includes supporting adults and children with a wide range of additional needs, such as learning and physical disabilities, neuro-diversity, mental health support needs, adults with dementia, those experiencing bereavement, people experiencing changes in health or new diagnoses (either for themselves or those around them), those experiencing or affected by peri-menopause and menopause.

Drawing and Talking is a safe and gentle therapeutic intervention which is an effective way for children and adults to process emotional pain or trauma they may be experiencing. Structured over 12 weeks, it focuses on prevention, early intervention and recovery of mental health issues through therapeutic play work.

Please contact me if you have any questions, would like to explore whether this support is right for you or to book on one of my Emotional Wellbeing programmes

Programme Fees
Each place on a 12 week programme costs £360 and includes a dedicated 1:1 session lasting 30 minutes every week. You are welcome to pay weekly, fortnightly, monthly but if you would like to chat through a different option, just let me know.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age is Drawing and Talking for?
Drawing and Talking is a really gentle support programme and is suitable for anyone from 5 to 555!

Can you diagnose or 'fix' a mental health problem through Drawing and Talking?
Drawing and Talking is a way of processing internal emotions in a safe and gentle way but it doesn't diagnose or 'fix' a mental health issue.

Can you do Drawing and Talking at the same time as counselling, CBT or working with CAMHS?
It's not possible to do two types of therapy at the same time because it is too much to cope with. Drawing and Talking is a great introduction to mental health or emotional support. It is fine to do Drawing and Talking if you are on the waiting list for CAMHS, adult mental health services or other specialist support services.

This programme is a lot of money
I completely understand that times are difficult for everyone right now but I do believe that it is important for quality mental health support to be available. Please follow me on Facebook and/or Instagram as this is where you can find details of special offers and discounts. I am hoping to access funding in the future but this isn't possible at the moment.

Where do your sessions take place?
I have an office in Funtley, near Fareham. It has plenty of parking available

When are sessions available?
I am currently taking bookings for September on Thursdays, Wednesday afternoons from 3.30pm, Sunday mornings and am happy to look at other days (subject to other teaching and work commitments). Sessions take place on the same day and time each week.

What if there is a week in the 12 week programme that I or my child can't make?
That's not a problem, just let me know when we book your place and we'll add an extra session on to the end.

What if I don't think I can draw?
It absolutely doesn't matter if you think you can't draw or if someone has told you in the past that you're not good at drawing as sessions are not about being good at drawing.

I'm a bit nervous about signing up to the programme. Is it possible for us to meet or speak on the telephone?
Absolutely. We can arrange a time to chat on the phone or for you to visit me where sessions take place. You can email me or contact me by phone - 07582 537 151 (but please do leave a message if I can't get to answer your call).