Poppy's approach and qualifications

What is art Therapy?

Art Therapy can be supportive to people of all ages, including those affected by difficult life events, neurodiversity and mental health challenges. It can help when words feel limited and can also deepen engagement for those who rely heavily on verbal expression.

In Art Therapy, a range of art materials would be provided where clients are invited to use them in any way that they wish. Poppy suggests that the focus is not on someone’s artistic ability, instead the process involved and what significance the work has in the context of the client’s inner world, relationships and thoughts. Artistic skill is not needed to benefit, instead, there is a need to be open to the possibilities of the process involved.

Like talking therapy, making art objects can be challenging as uncomfortable feelings and painful memories can emerge. Poppy works to the understanding that often meanings of artworks can be complex, as they shift and change over time. The relationship between the therapist and client is central in the work with Poppy, as she accompanies her clients to embark on making meaning out of the artwork being made. She views clients as the experts of their own artwork and experiences, but recognises the significance of her position, being alongside whilst treading the unknowns within therapy.

Poppy’s psychodynamic approach works with both conscious and unconscious processes. She has a wealth of experience supporting clients with emotional distress, trauma, relationship challenges and life transitions. She offers therapy to young people, adults and older adults who may be experiencing a range of emotional and psychological difficulties.

Poppy offers talking and art psychotherapy from our Blackheath clinic, serving clients from Greenwich, Lewisham, and across South East London, as well as online.

Individuals who hear voices, see visions and hold unusual beliefs

Poppy’s practice aligns with the Hearing Voices Network (HVN) whose work outlines that somewhere between 3 – 10% of the general population have may hold unusual beliefs and have experience of hearing voices, seeing visions and sensory experiences. HVN work challenges inequalities and oppressive practices whilst also arguing that these aspects of the human experience are not always indicators of current mental-ill health. Poppy recognises that often fear, isolation, and discrimination can prevent people from seeking help.

In her practice, Poppy creates an empowering space for people of all ages and backgrounds to talk freely about voice-hearing and visions, and other sensory experiences. She works with her clients to find ways of managing distressing or confusing voices, whilst also supporting people to make sense of their experiences.

Neurodiversity

Poppy strongly believes the concept that everyone’s brain is different, and these variations are a natural part of human diversity. Within her NHS work, Poppy has been based within a multiple disciplinary team who work specifically with children and young people with neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism, ADHD and learning disabilities. She has also worked for a couple of years within a pioneering neuro-rehabilitation unit, where she gained experience working creatively with individuals recovering from brain injury and strokes.

In her work with neurodiverse clients, Poppy is confident offering therapeutic interventions that provide information and skills to help individuals and their wider network understand and cope with mental health conditions and neurodivergent traits. Her practice champions differences, viewing them not as deficits, but as different brain styles. Her works focuses on strengths, self- acceptance and environmental accommodations. She offers support, understanding and insight, alongside practical strategies to support people day to day. She champions the social model of disability in her therapy space, often supporting clients to understand their legal rights, and the significance of their individual perspective and voice.

Poppy believes in therapy which offers a neurodiversity-affirming approach, supporting individuals to be authentic, rather than conforming to neurotypical norms.

LGBTQIA+ Identities

Poppy welcomes individuals who may be seeking support for their mental health, and personal growth of their identity journey. Her practice is trans affirmative, and she has an open mind about gender expansiveness and queer identities. In her therapy work she considers the complex structures which make up someone’s identity and is committed to engaging in self-reflexive processes which consider relational power and experiences of privilege and oppression within the therapy room.