Paula Rhymes Art Psychotherapy and EMDR Therapy
Child ~ Young Person ~ Adult
Uckfield East Sussex
Welcome!
If you have found this site, then perhaps you or a loved one is in need of emotional support that is impacting mental health. All people have their own particular circumstances and enquiries are carefully considered. Please contact me if with any questions, however small!
What is art psychotherapy?
It is an opportunity to drop the focus on words, and freedom to think, feel, and explore a struggle whilst using art materials - in anyway you like. There are no rules about making an end product.
Do I need to be good at art?
Absoultey not! Anyone is welcome to use clay, plaster, paint and other available materials to make their mark. There is no focus on a finished object, nor does it matter if the materials are all new to you. I work with people from all professions and ages, the freedom to explore is all you need.
How I work as an art psychotherapist
My approach is essentially client-led and psychodynamic, working at the client’s pace with whatever the client wants to explore or seeks to understand. Sessions are weekly. I utilise a wide choice of materials and aim to empower clients to find their own voice. Each client is different and therefore the number of sessions a client needs varies. I suggest an initial free meeting to answer these and any other questions that you may have, and to see if and how we can work together, with no obligation. This would take place at my studio.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing)
Suitable for many types and severities of trauma, however small or life changing it maybe, EMDR works rapidly to move past the trauma to reach a point in life where the individual can live free of its grip. Although EMDR has become known for its work with PTSD sufferers (Vietnam veterans originally), it can work with phobias, pain, addiction, abuse cases, OCD and many more issues. What is important is an assessment for suitability for EMDR prior to any actual processing beginning. Unlike talking therapy or counselling, EMDR works without the need to voice or speak, describe or detail any issue, which can be important for shame based trauma work, and in cases of limited speech or non-verbal clients. Please ask for a detailed explanation of EMDR, and I will be happy to help.
How I will work with you in the studio
I run my practice from a quiet, spacious dedicated studio, in Uckfield East Sussex. I also have the choice to work in a ground floor studio, with outdoor space, for those with mobility issues. The building has a wheelchair accessible toilet.
My Story
Art has always been central to my identity and I am lucky as it has always informed my career as well as in my personal life. After much graduate and post graduate study, I eventually managed to successfully blend my love of art and science into a career, until my professional life took me to some pretty uncreative places.
Much earlier in my career, whilst working with vulnerable children I became aware of the work of art psychotherapists, and their positive impact on abused children, particularly non-verbal children. It was this powerful memory that propelled me to retrain as an art psychotherapist.
I welcome different emotional issues, ages and abilities into my practice, and I have experience working with a many different issues. These range to include anxiety, depression, support for autistic and/or ADHD individuals, gender dysphoria, disordered eating, eating disorders, trauma such as PTSD, and sexual and physical abuse and incest. Some individuals need support with issues around past and present life events such as divorce. I have a body of experience working with children and adults affected by terminal illness, life altering conditions, death and grief. Past experience as an art psychotherapist include an NHS adult community learning disabilities team, a children's Hospice and a state SEN school 5-16 years.
I am available for 1-1 art psychotherapy, EMDR or combined art therapy & EMDR, Please check this website for updates .
Qualifications
Art therapy is a Masters Degree Level Training and is a protected title, regulated by the Health Care Professions Council. Art therapists are registered with the British Association of Art Therapists and follow their Code of Ethics.
Art Psychotherapy MA (Goldsmiths)
M Phil (University of Manchester)
Post Graduate Dip (Medical Artists Association of Great Britain)
BA Hons (University of Lancaster)
EMDR Parts 1-3 (Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing) Therapist (UK EMDR Accredited Training) & Part 1 Children and Young People
Level 2 Understanding Autism
BAAT (British Association of Art Therapists) full member No: BAAT reg no: 41344
HCPC registered (Health Care Professions Council) HCPC reg no: AS15962,
Fully Insured (Howdens).
DBS registered (Enhanced)
Koestler Arts Mentor
To contact me for a free talk and to see if art psychotherapy or EMDR is for you, please contact me:
email: paularhymesart@gmail.com. Telephone: 07852912046
The studio,
New Olives,
High Street,
Uckfield,
TN22 1QE
East Sussex
Directions to my studio: My studio is in Uckfield High Street, between Hospice in the Weald Charity shop and Halifax, look for black railings and a gate, walk through gate along the path where you will see a blue table and chairs and a pink front door, I will meet you there.
Parking is free in Luxford carpark, or shopping in nearby Waitrose or Tesco also provides some parking.
Thank you
