Verity Blakeman

Sessions are available in person or online. Please contact me for current availability.

I offer a warm, non-judgemental, creative space where a client is able to think about issues affecting them. My priority is to establish a therapeutic relationship that is safe, trusting and collaborative. As an art psychotherapist, working with images is at the heart of my practice and this can take a variety of forms including; the exploration of a client’s imagination and dreams, as well as art making.

My overall approach is rooted in psychodynamic and psychoanalytic theory, which means that together, we can explore deeper into unconscious processes that might be affecting a person’s emotions, behaviours or relationship patterns. This takes into consideration how past experiences can shape and influence someone’s present situation and circumstances.

I have over 13 years of clinical experience, working in a wide range of settings with adults, young people and children. This includes working in NHS adult mental health services alongside private practice, working with charitable organisations, mainstream and special education settings, foster care and post adoption services. I am experienced in working with complex trauma and a variety of mental health diagnoses and conditions.

I have worked for the NHS for over 7 years and continue to do so part time, while working in private practice. I also provide clinical supervision to qualified and trainee art psychotherapists.

I hold an MA postgraduate degree in Art Psychotherapy from Goldsmiths University, London and a certificate in Clay Field Therapy® from the Institute of Sensorimotor Art Therapy. 

Art psychotherapy combines talking and image making enabling a client to explore difficulties that may be preventing them from engaging fully in life. Prior artistic experience is not required, just an openness to the idea of working with art materials and creative processes as a means of developing a deeper understanding of oneself. I encourage clients to be open and curious about the images created so that we are able to reflect on what emerges, consider how this might relate to current situations and circumstances and offer meaningful insight that will help the client to move forward.

I offer a free 20 minute introductory call to begin with. This gives the enquirer an opportunity to ask questions and discuss what brought them to therapy.

If it feels like art psychotherapy could be helpful, we can arrange a 50 minute consultation. This provides an opportunity to explore what you would like support with and whether we feel like a good fit to work together. I invite clients to share whatever feels comfortable for them, without pressure to explore difficult or painful experiences straight away. My priority is to establish a trusting, safe and collaborative therapeutic relationship, and to develop a pace of working that feels appropriate for the client.

Following the consultation, if it is agreed that continuing would be helpful, an initial number of sessions can be arranged. This provides some structure and focus to the work while allowing space to review how things are progressing together.