Initially my career started as a Teacher and trainer, working firstly with animals, in particular horses, and I was intrigued by their accurate 'reading' of us and our emotions. Through the eyes of the horse I began to see words were rather unimportant unless they linked with our physiology and when I was privileged to observe Apes I became even more aware of the language of our bodies. To determine our agenda these animals notice our breathing rates, our blink speed our smell and even how we walk - within seconds our profile is a done deal!

 

Taking these skills forward and as a trained  Creative Arts Psychotherapist I  worked with young people within fostering and adoption and the teams that provided their care, as well as residential special schools and for charities. More often than not, my challenge seemed to be one of firstly translating the behaviour so that it could be understood; these young people needed to make sense of their feelings and experiences not only for themselves but for those who helped to support them. It is difficult to tolerate and understand strong reactions as a means of expression but this is often born from the frustration of being misunderstood.  Having srategies to manage was not enough  - the repair work starts firstly with the therapeutic relationship and then to discover the  language we can find to safely express ourselves.

 

I then became involved in working with young people and adults with Autism - again,  their need to express themselves successfully would often be the determining factor between their very good and very difficult days.

 

​As well as trauma and tragedy, there are some areas of our lives which also need support   - such as low self esteem post redundancy or unexpected and unplanned retirement from work, the experience of growing older and how to cope with loss of youth and of course when the children leave home. Some of these experiences can be natural milestones in our lives but they can hit us hard, leaving depression and an unbelievable sense of loneliness. I also work with foster carers and parents who need help and guidance to translate and work with the behaviours  of their young people.

 

I trained at Christchurch University and the Kent Insitute, studying towards teaching, and Goldsmiths University as an Art Psychotherapist, subsequently I have trained in neuro linguistics, transactional analysis and intensive interaction.  I use an attachment based form of intervention and a psychodynamic approach but combine systemic theory into my practice.  I specialise in working with those who have suffered sexual abuse and am trained in the management of sexualised behaviour.

 

I foster the idea that each and every one of us can tell our story -  and isnt that a major part  of  therapy, a chance to listen to our our own story in some way or another?   Perhaps the story can be drawn or painted, told via the lens of a camera, expressed in dance or general conversation - but all it needs is the gentle encouragement to be shared and  to begin the process of understanding and unravelling. ​

 

Within my practice I offer the opportunity to explore and if possible to translate  painful experiences, from this point of understanding we can then work together towards improving the quality of life.

 

Maggie

 

 

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