Kirsten Holmes (my pronouns are she/her)

Art Therapy with Kirsten 

I spent my childhood in South Africa surrounded by nature and creativity, living in a community providing holistic residential care for children and adults with learning difficulties. Later after completing a degree in Fine Arts in London, I travelled to Australia and started my Art Therapist journey there, establishing Art Therapy in a Sydney Hospital for stroke and spinal injury patients. I then worked in Paris where my Art Therapy experience included working at a residence for moderately to severely paralysed people, collaborating with a Dance Therapist working with adults on the autism spectrum, working with young asylum seekers, and facilitating Art Therapy workshops in both the day care centre and acute unit for psychiatric patients. I returned to the UK in 2018. I have provided private Art Therapy sessions since 2020. My private practice is based in Exeter. I also provide Art Therapy at the NHS across 3 older adult mental health wards, including a dementia specialist unit. I am also trained in supervision based on a relational model. I am wordly, calm and above all, a good listener. I welcome all who seek to experience the benefits of Art Therapy and work on personal development. I look forward to meeting you.                                                                             

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What is Art Therapy? Art Therapy is a form of counselling which incorporates various creative media from music, meditation, drawing, claywork and bodywork as tools in which to aid you to access deeper levels of personal understanding. You do not need to have previous experience or expertise in art. The objective of Art Therapy is to use the creative media as forms of expression and communication. My approach is transpersonal which means to acknowledge you as a 'whole' person from your cultural background, personal outlooks and beliefs, your environment, as well as any presenting physical, mental or psychological natures. We will look at your goals and desires and learn what creates meaning in your life. With personal acceptance and understanding, healing begins. 

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What can Art Therapy help with? stress - anxiety - isolation - change decisions - separation - bereavement loss - trauma - wellbeing seeking authenticity - acceptance Art Therapy can help you whatever your challenge, question or hurdle may be. You just need a willingness to seek answers to your own questions. Art Therapy will provide you the tools so you can be the navigator of your own journey. You will find your own way. 

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Why Seek an Art Therapist? Navigating the twists and turns in life's journey can sometimes throw too many challenges in your path. Seeking a therapist is one way of searching for that pilot to help guide you through these times. An Art Therapy session starts with some questions to get to know each other and your reason for seeking therapy. Once you feel ready to embark on your therapeutic journey, the introduction of various creative exercises provide an aid to explore emotion,