What is Expressive Therapy?
Expressive Therapy (ET) a counselling approach using expressive arts activities that work with the mind, body and emotions. ET provides safe expression of feelings and supporting self-awareness in helping clients gain deeper understanding of the issues they are experiencing and intrapersonal insights. ET activities contain a variety of modalities, for example; visualisation, relaxation, artistic based, bio-energetic (movement), drawing, music, sand play, symbol work, working with clay and body focus. ET activities support the processing of thoughts and feelings that are often driving behaviour and supporting positive behaviour change. ET supports the emotional healing of children, adolescents and adults.
ET was founded on the tradition of expressive arts therapies, Jungian, Gestalt, transpersonal and constructivist psychology (Pearson & Wilson, 2013).
What is Animal Assisted Play Therapy?
"Animal Assisted Play Therapy (AAPT) is defined as the integrated involvement of animals in the context of play therapy, in which appropriately trained therapists and animals engage with clients primarily through systematic playful interventions, with the goal of improving clients' developmental and psychological health, while simultaneously ensuring the animals well being and voluntary engagement. Play and playfulness are essential ingredients of the interactions and the relationship" (Van Fleet & Faa-Thompson, 2017).
AAPT sessions may include the therapy animal for 10-20 minutes and then other counselling activities and interventions are applied to continue addressing therapy goals.
Goal areas for AAPT; attachment and relationship, empathy, self-efficacy, self-regulation or for specific problem resolution.
Who is AAPT for?
AAPT is appropriate for all ages for 1-1 sessions, in groups or with family groups.
(Van Fleet & Faa-Thompson, 2017)
"Dobby" The Therapy cat
I have a Therapy cat called Dobby who is a rescue cat that came to us with his brother Ziggy. Dobby is a natural for working with clients as a Therapy cat with his relaxed, playful and curious manner.
Counselling services - in a nut shell;
Fees: $80 per session (1 hour)
1-1 Counselling
- Talk therapy, for example; Person Centred Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Emotion focused Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Family Systems Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Solution Focused, Behaviour Therapy
- Expressive Therapy - working with: Artistic modalities, Media, Miniature symbol work, Sand play Therapy, Clay, Dream work, Movement, Visualisation, Relaxation
- Animal Assisted Play Therapy
Self-Discovery Group Work with Expressive Therapies
Trauma Informed practice
Life Story Work - for children and adolescents
Trained in Response Ability Pathways (RAP) - Circle of Courage Model - working with Troubled Children and Youth
Out-Reach Counselling Service
Speciality: Children and adolescents
