Therapists
My name is Dawn (she / them) & I am a social activist art therapist providing arts psychotherapy & sex positive therapy to adults in West & Southwest London. At the heart of my therapeutic work, I am grounded in integrative & humanistic theoretical approaches, & specialise in working in a trauma-informed way with individuals with complex presentations & trauma. The majority of my work is with marginalized & stigmatized individuals / communities (forensic mental health, LGBTIA+ & sex workers). The aim for therapy is to co-create a space, where you can be your authentic self by feeling seen, heard & understood - no matter the issue or theme you bring, finding ways to empower yourself in your life.
ARTS PSYCHOTHERAPY The arts are an alternative approach to traditional talking therapy & can provide a deeper insight when it is hard to find the words for your experiences & feelings. In my sessions, the seven art forms are available for you; * Art * Drama / Puppetry * Sculpture / Clay * Poetry * Sand-play * Music * Bodywork / Movement No previous experience or artistic skill with the arts are needed. As first, the arts might feel weird to use to communicate your needs. To help familiarise yourself with the art materials, I will gently guide you to different media to find the most fitting way to explore your inner & outer world. SEX POSITIVE THERAPY In additional to my art psychotherapy approach, I also provide sex-positive therapy & work with sexual problems. Using a bio-psycho-social theoretical model, I can provide supportive therapeutic interventions to the following areas; * Sexual dysfunction * Sexual identity * Queer sex * Kink, Fetish and BDSM practices * Compulsive sexual behaviours I can also combine my art psychotherapy practice to provide artistic ways to explore the above areas. SEX WORKER FRIENDLY THERAPIST I fully support sex worker rights, safety & decriminalisation of sex work. I provide low-cost therapy to sex workers (short/long term). NUM packages (x3 free therapy sessions) with me are available via the National Ugly Mugs website > mental health support > contact casework team. SOCIAL ACTIVIST THERAPIST Therapy is political & I do not shy away from social topics in therapy. I recognise the collective distress from global injustices, capitalism, mental health issues, social & cultural oppression may affect you in many areas of your life. I believe therapy is a great way to explore feelings about your own social injustices, by finding ways to resource yourself and manage the discomfort / hardships this may bring. Through this exploration you may find ethical & creative ways to express this outside the therapy room too.
As an Arts Psychotherapist, I am very committed to working inclusively and have worked with many cultures, genders, sexual orientations, and ages. I have worked in various NHS mental health settings (CPTSD & Forensic Recovery and Rehabilitation services) working with complex trauma with various mental health diagnoses and conditions in a trauma-informed way. I currently work for the Charity MIND (Hammersmith, Fulham, Ealing & Hounslow) managing an empowered community forensic women's hub, working with women 18+ leaving forensic mental health services who are transitioning back into the community.
- Art Therapy / Psychotherapy
- Expressive Art Therapy
- Holistic
- Humanistic
- Integrative
- Person Centered Therapy
- Sand Tray
Clapham North, Kensington & Chiswick