Art Psychotherapist.
Yvonne is an experienced Art psychotherapist with a a background in visual arts, photography, addiction studies and therapeutic practice. She works with both children and adults, supporting people with a wide range of emotional, psychological and life challenges.
Her therapeutic experience has been developed across a variety of settings, including Artonomy, John of God’s, Carmona services, Aiseiri, a crisis intervention centre, and community-based projects.
Earlier in her career, she worked with people with additional needs through John of God’s and Carmona services, facilitating creative and multimedia art sessions for individuals with down syndrome, autism, some of whom were hard of hearing. This experience developed her understanding of the importance of adopting creative therapeutic approaches to meet individual communication, sensory and developmental needs.
She has also worked extensively with people affected by addiction and recovery. Through Aiséirí and voluntary aftercare groups, she supported individuals and couples experiencing the impact of alcohol, drug, gambling and pornography addictions, including work with partners and family members. Her wider experience includes supporting people experiencing anxiety, depression, psychosis, bipolar disorder, ADHD, dyslexia, eating difficulties, self-harm and other emotional and psychological challenges.
During a placement at a crisis intervention centre, she provided both individual and group Art psychotherapy for people experiencing a range of complex difficulties, including depression, bipolar disorder, psychosis, borderline personality disorder, acquired brain injury, ADHD, dyslexia, intrusive thoughts, suicidal ideation, and self-harm. This experience strengthened her ability to provide a compassionate and contained therapeutic space during periods of significant emotional distress.
She also completed a placement working with people living with dementia, including individuals with more complex and advanced needs. Within this medical model setting, she developed and delivered Art therapy sessions while working collaboratively with the wider care team. This experience included adapting therapeutic practice to a multidisciplinary environment and ensuring clear communication and continuity of care.
Her community-based experience includes working as a project worker with a Travellers women’s group, facilitating Art therapy sessions and using creative approaches to support connection, self-expression and wellbeing.
Today, through her work with Artonomy, she supports children and adults of all abilities. Her current areas of practice include anxiety,depression,berevement,addiction,dyslexia,dyspraxia,ADHD, autism, self-harm, intrusive thoughts, bullying and trauma.
Her approach is grounded in the belief that creative experience can provide another way of communicating and exploring experiences that may sometimes be difficult to put into words. Art therapy can offer a safe, supportive, non-judgemental space in which individuals can explore emotions, experiences and personal difficulties at their own pace.
She holds a Master’s in Art therapy, a bachelor’s degree in photography, a diploma and cert in addiction and a facilitating cert from Aiséirí.
Her therapeutic approach is humanistic and psychoanalytically formed, she also uses Mindfulness.
She values and respects each individual and works one to one or with groups.
‘Art therapy is another way to listen’.