I’m David — an Art Psychotherapist registered with the HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council). I’m also one of three Art Therapists that form the Hackney Art Therapy collective, based at a therapeutic centre on Mare Street, east London.
I completed my art therapy MA training at Goldsmiths, University of London and have 30 years’ experience using art making and creativity as a means to improve wellbeing.
I’m currently offering weekly art therapy to people who need a safe space to freely express themselves. We start with an initial consultation, to see if art therapy’s right for you, and if I’m the right therapist for you. This is usually followed by a block of four to six weekly 50-minute sessions before we consider longer-term therapy. For more information about the sessions, fees, or getting in touch, click a button below.
There are many reasons why you may be thinking about therapy. For example, you may be looking for ways to cope with
- Life changes
- Overwhelming uncertainty
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Serious illness diagnosis
- Facing end of life
- Bereavement
- Trauma
- Loss
Whatever your situation or background, my attitude to all clients is an unconditional positive regard. Our first step will be to establish a supportive, encouraging therapeutic relationship that allows you to feel safe and bring unconscious processes into awareness.
You don’t need to be ‘arty’ or have any particular skills or experience to benefit from art therapy. To find out more about what how art therapy works, or about how I work, click on the buttons below.
In my practice, the art making in art therapy is the central therapeutic agent. Art making can be effective for clients who find it hard to articulate how they feel in words. It can also be effective for those who are skilled at talking but tend to avoid the emotions connected with their difficulties. Often clients are really surprised by what their art making can show them.
If you’re anxious about making art, we can explore that anxiety.
If you find yourself judging your ability, we can explore that judgment.
At the start of therapy I encourage clients to be playful and introduce them to wide range of materials and techniques. I also use mindfulness techniques to help bring the client’s attention back to the present moment, to connect and stay with the here-and-now.
