Gini Hearth

Integrative Arts Psychotherapist with a masters degree from London Met, accredited by UKCP, clinical supervisor with the Centre for Supervision and Team Development

Current Availability; available for therapy sessions and supevision

Sometimes we can all struggle in life. We can feel lost and desperate. Sometimes we don’t know which way to turn and this can leave us feeling frightened and powerless. Our physical health may become affected, and our relationships and working life. When we feel this way, we need to reach out for help, which is how you have arrived here.

I care deeply about the connections that can be made in a therapeutic relationship. The encounters can be profound and life changing. This is what matters most to me. I get great pleasure from witnessing people flourish. This is what I am fully invested in. Therapy is a legacy creation and your personal development cannot be underestimated, nor can it be taken from you. I can connect with anyone of any cultural background and at any stage of life.  

I qualified as an Integrative Arts Psychotherapist in 2010 with a masters degree from London Met, accredited by UKCP.  I then qualified as a clinical supervisor with the Centre for Supervision and Team Development in 2015.  I worked in end of life care for 10 years and set up the South London Arts in Health forum.  I also specialise in professional wellbeing having worked with NHS staff for the last two years.  I was Arts Co-ordinator for the British Association of Art Therapists. I am a published author and visiting lecturer at the University of South Wales.  I have a private practice based on the beautiful gower peninsula and use the arts and nature based work to support my clients through a journey of self discovery.  

Arts Therapies explained…. 

Art therapy is an established form of psychological therapy delivered by trained arts psychotherapists. It is designed to help anyone by supporting their social, emotional and mental health needs using a creative approach. Art therapy can be very effective in the relief of stress, anxiety, improving self-esteem, symptoms of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, coping with physical illness or disability, neuro divergence, loss and change. 

Art psychotherapy is a creative therapy that uses art materials to explore and work through trauma, develop your strengths and express yourself, while respecting your uniqueness and creative capacity.

What is art therapy?

In art therapy clients use artistic techniques such as painting, clay work, collage, writing, dance, voice, music, sand tray, puppetry and digital media to 

express their experiences, how 

they have been affected, and to support their wellbeing, as well as any social, emotional and mental health needs. 

When our lives are affected by adversity, it can have an impact on our wellbeing, but this experience may be difficult to put into words. 

Because of its creative process, art therapy is often used to work with people who would like to try a different approach from talking therapy. In this way, art 

therapy helps to make sure that everyone can find their own way to express themselves, explore meaning and understanding of their experiences. 

What training have I undertaken? 

I did five years of training at the Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education 

(masters level) and registered with the Health and Care Professions Council 

(HCPC).  I had to complete 450 clinical hours of work experience to be able to qualify. I received extensive training in working with people’s problems and distress, and have lots of experience using art materials in a therapeutic way having also been a Community Artist for many years prior to art therapy training. 

What to expect in art therapy… 

In your first meeting with me, you will have an opportunity to discuss the difficulties you are seeking help for, and how art therapy may help you. Depending on your needs, you will either join group therapy or individual therapy. If you choose to meet face-to-face, you will be in a private room where you won’t be interrupted.  During online sessions we would also meet in private rooms.  

In art therapy, you may choose to make art while talking or be silent. When making art, you can choose materials that best suit you, for example, paint, pastel or clay, or you might make a collage or art in nature.  It may be that you write a poem or tell a story with puppets.  You may want to dance your feelings out or sing.  

I may sit quietly and pay attention whilst you make art or I may make art alongside you, depending on your needs and preferences. 

You and I will also talk and think together to try to make sense of the thoughts, feelings and experiences that come up during your art-making, or when you look at your own artwork.

Please get in touch to find out more….

07525 774988 giniart@gmail.com