Children & Young People's Creative Arts Counsellor & Wellbeing Practitioner
delivering creative outcome-focussed, evidence-based interventions: for individuals, groups & within organisations in Surrey.
Wildflower Wellbeing
About Me
Hello, I am Abi, a qualified child and young person counsellor (Level 7) who trained for four years at the Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education, London.
I am passionately committed to helping address the mental health needs of children and young people, as well as supporting their parents and care-givers.
My therapeutic approach is humanistic, integrative, and relational, weaving together counselling skills, neuroscience, attachment theory and child development. I am trauma & rights informed in my creative practice.
Arts mediums I work with include (but not limited to) play, drama, art, clay, music, poetry, storytelling, bodywork, voice work, puppetry and sand tray.
I am registered with the DBS update service and conduct work to the ethical framework and guidelines of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), a professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists practising in the United Kingdom.
BACKGROUND
I come from running and organising high profile and large-scale theatre & events. I have always loved my job; making the impossible happen and telling stories.
EXPERIENCE
I have extensive experience working with children, young people and families within a hospice, community & school setting.
Walking alongside Children & Young People as they approach and experience the bereavement of a significant family member. Using creative arts with the aim to be an advocate and gift agency to child / young person.
Facilitating 1-2-1 sessions and peer groups to encourage reflection, formation of a narrative for their unique lived experience and building an emotional language.
Why work with Wildflower Wellbeing?
CYP Creative Arts Counsellor & Wellbeing Practitioner
Together we can address any strengths and difficulties at the same time as improving the child’s self-confidence and emotional well-being including:
· Mental health issues
· Anxiety
· Depression
· Low self-esteem & self-
confidence
· Anger
· Difficulties making friends
· Grief & loss – through separation, divorce or bereavement
· Changes in behaviour
· Dealing with big life events – (e.g. changing schools, moving home,
exams)
· Plus many other day-to-day challenges children and young people face
Early intervention can prevent these issues escalating into more complex mental health issues later in life as well as equipping your child to develop:
· Self-awareness
· Self-confidence
· Self-esteem
· Emotional Literacy
· Communication Skills
· Emotional Resilience
· Recovery
Wildflower Wellbeing: delivers outcome-focussed, evidence-based interventions to young people.
"Doing art with Abi helped me to get my emotions and thoughts out of my head. Turning them and my grief into art. This painting is called 'Explosions of Two Worlds' because before and after losing someone is two worldsThe best way to predict your future is to create it.
JS, 12 Years
“when I do sessions with you, I don’t feel like you are telling me what to do....I feel free”
DG, 14 years
