I have lived in Plymouth since 2000 and love having both the sea and the moors in such easy reach.  Its great exploring the beautiful green spaces we have in the city with my dog. 

 

At Artaius Creative Psychotherapy I use my training in Dramatherapy and Environmental Arts Therapy to offer a creative alternative to classic talking therapies.  My approach is person centred and is tailored to your individual needs.  Everyone different is and creative therapy allows the things that make you unique a strength in the process.

 

Growing up on Dartmoor has given me a love of nature and the outdoors.  I have worked in many roles over the years from hospitality or elderly dementia care.  In 2007 I completed a BA in Community Theatre at MARJONS in Plymouth and in 2013 I completed an MA in Dramatherapy at Roehampton University.  As a qualified Dramatherapist I have worked in a variety of settings with adults, children and young people, both individually and groups for young carers, women in addiction recovery, and adults living with HIV.

 

About Dramatherapy

 

Dramatherapy is a form of psychological therapy that uses dramatic techniques and creative processes to support emotional expression, personal insight, and mental wellbeing. It is recognised as both a psychotherapeutic and creative discipline, combining elements of drama, psychology, and counselling theory. Rather than relying solely on verbal communication, dramatherapy allows individuals to explore experiences through role play, storytelling, movement, improvisation, and symbolic representation.

 

A central principle of dramatherapy is that people may find it easier to express complex emotions indirectly through fictional or symbolic scenarios. By creating characters or narratives, individuals can examine personal difficulties from a safe distance, which may reduce feelings of vulnerability and encourage reflection. 

 

Sessions are led by a qualified Dramatherapist who structures activities according to therapeutic goals and the needs of the client. Techniques may include the use of masks, puppets, scripts, body movement, and guided imagination. .

 

Overall, dramatherapy provides a structured therapeutic space in which creativity becomes a tool for psychological exploration, emotional regulation, and personal development. Its combination of imaginative expression and therapeutic practice makes it an effective intervention for a wide range of emotional and social difficulties

 

About Environmental Arts Therapy

 

Environmental arts therapy is a creative therapeutic approach that combines artistic expression with engagement in the natural and built environment to support emotional wellbeing, personal insight, and social connection. It sits within the broader field of Arts Therapy, but places special emphasis on how people interact with surroundings such as gardens, parks, landscapes, recycled materials, public spaces, and ecological systems. Environmental arts therapy treats the environment as both inspiration and part of the therapeutic process.  Nature acts as both witness, mirror and container to the work.

 

The central idea is that human wellbeing is strongly influenced by the relationship between people and place. Natural environments often help reduce stress, improve mood, and encourage reflection, while artistic activity allows people to express feelings that may be difficult to describe in words. When these two elements are combined, therapy can become especially powerful. A participant might collect leaves, stones, or natural objects to create a temporary sculpture, or build visual pieces from recycled materials to explore themes such as loss, growth, identity, or environmental responsibility.

 

Environmental arts therapy is often used with individuals who experience anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, or social isolation. For some people, being outside creates a sense of freedom that traditional clinical settings do not provide. The open environment can lower emotional pressure and make communication feel more natural. For example, arranging found natural materials into patterns may help a person express internal emotions symbolically, while discussing the artwork can help them understand their own thoughts and experiences more clearly.

 

A key feature of this therapy is process rather than artistic skill. The aim is not to produce perfect artwork, but to explore meaning through making. Temporary creations—such as mandalas made from leaves or sculptures built from branches—can also teach acceptance of change, because wind, weather, and time may naturally alter the work. This can help participants reflect on impermanence, resilience, and adaptation.

 

Environmental arts therapy also encourages ecological awareness. Many practitioners invite people to think about how they relate to the wider world, including sustainability and care for nature. Using recycled materials, creating art in community gardens, or responding creatively to environmental concerns can help individuals feel connected to something larger than themselves. This can be especially valuable in community settings, where shared creative projects strengthen belonging and cooperation.

 

The therapist’s role is to guide reflection, ensure emotional safety, and help connect the creative activity to therapeutic goals. Sessions may happen one-to-one or in groups, and can be adapted for children, adults, older people, or people with additional needs.

 

Overall, environmental arts therapy is a holistic method that recognises that healing can happen through creativity, sensory experience, and connection with place. By engaging with both art and environment, people often discover new ways to process feelings, build confidence, and develop a deeper sense of personal and environmental connection.

 

I offer one to one sessions as well as running some groups.  Please get in touch to arrange a free 30 minute introductory session.