Heart Psychotherapy

A little message of hope and reassurance ahead of exam results day in Scotland tomorrow. A reminder to those who will be patiently awaiting results to breathe, congratulate yourself for how hard you have worked and not to panic, regardless of the result.

Since I was tiny all I ever wanted to be was a primary teacher. To get into uni to study the BEd course maaaaany years ago I needed 3 Cs at higher level, one of which had to be higher English. I got 3 Bs, but I failed English. I was totally and utterly devastated. I felt like I had failed and that I was never going to achieve my dream career.

The truth was... that was simply completely untrue! Yes, I eventually passed higher English via an appeal. Yes, I was eventually accepted into the BEd course at Uni. No, l didn't want to move away from Shetland anymore, so I didn't accept my place. Yes I didn't become a primary teacher the way I expected to. Yes I still became a primary teacher. And almost 15 years on, I'm leading a totally different career as an art therapist! A job that was never on my radar back then.

So. If tomorrow doesn't bring you the joy you are hoping for, please just remember, there will ALWAYS be a way to achieve what you want to achieve. It might not take place the way you expected it to, and it might just take a wee bit longer ❤️ But it'll happen. I'm a strong believer in the concept of redirection, as opposed to rejection.

Good luck to all, and remember to BREATHE!

Photos of my chilled out sausage dog as a reminder to relax and breathe 🐾 😊 ⭐

Playing with water colours last night during this week's mindful art making session. Clearly inspired by the Austrian/Swiss Alps I had the pleasure of seeing a few weeks back!

⭐ The group started with participants checking in with themselves regarding how they were feeling on a scale of 1-10

⭐ 3 deep belly breaths - counting in for 4/out for 8

⭐ 3 minute meditation

⭐ Art making of choice with no obligation to share

⭐ Practising gratitude during some breath work at the end

Next week (Tues 6th Aug) will be the last mindful art making session online for the time being, with the potential for another block coming up in autumn/winter.

If you'd like to book your space, email me at [email protected]

This month marks two years since I launched my art therapy practice, 'Heart Psychotherapy', initially in the Shetland islands where I am from. And in February of this year, I transferred my practice to Edinburgh where I now live.

Today, I received my 🌟100th🌟 art therapy referral, which is just completely mind blowing! If someone had told me 6 years ago, that in 2024 I would have left full time teaching, retrained as an art therapist, and be living and working in Edinburgh for my own practice, I wouldn't have believed them in a million years.

I wanted to share this quote to mark today's milestone. My first art therapy placement supervisor said this to me very early on in my practice and it has always stuck with me.

Don't just listen to what your gut is telling you. Act upon it, as you are the only person who can. And it might just completely change your life for the better.

Thank you to all my lovely clients, past and present, who have placed their trust in me, something which takes so much courage. What a privilege it is to walk alongside you on each of your individual journeys.

💗

The Shetland Islands - where I am very proud to say I am from 🌊

I am spending this week in the northern isles, surrounded by 'vitamin sea' which provides food for my soul!

Tonight I had the joy of going fishing in my brother's boat and catching fish for our supper. Saw so many awesome seabirds and 2 porpoises which in Shetland we call 'neesiks'. Very lucky to call this place home 💙

Some client testimonials from this week's mindful art making session online, as well as feedback from previous sessions I have led.

How do the online mindful art making sessions work?

- Each session starts with a short breathing exercise to tune into how we are feeling and ground ourselves

- This is followed by art making of your choice which can be anything, from an adult colouring book, knitting or sewing, collaging, doodling, painting, a craft project, etc. Anything at all that you enjoy engaging with

- We then finish with a short mindful exercise before ending the session

For more information on how to book your Tuesday evening spot from 7-8pm, email 'Belinda' at [email protected]

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If you are looking for a summer read, I highly recommend 'Lessons in Chemistry', by Bonnie Garmus. I loved this quote so much last night just before finished it I wanted to share it with you all! Such an empowering read. Sad, funny, gripping, lots of twists and turns, but most of all, a reminder that if you set your mind to something, you can 100% achieve it.

Have a lovely weekend,
Belinda

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Mindful art making sessions start next Tuesday evening (16th July), each Tuesday until 6th August via Zoom, from 7-8pm.

A chance to ground yourself, breathe, be creative and relax.

Bring along any material you enjoy working with. This could be anything from sewing, knitting, water colours, a colouring book, pastels etc etc!

No skill in art making is required and there is no requirement to attend every week.

Each session will start with a short breathing exercise to help ground participants. This will be followed by individual art making (participant led, using materials of your choice), finishing off with a few deep breaths before the end of the session.

Each session costs £10

You will need:

- suitable device such as laptop, iPad or tablet
- stable internet connection
- a quiet space where you’re confident you won’t be interrupted
- a small work surface to make art on
- a small selection of art materials of your choice

To find out more information on how to book/pay for your space, email Belinda at [email protected]

Hi all, my name is Belinda and I am an HCPC registered art therapist, primary teacher and children’s author :-)

My art therapy space is based in the Regus building on 83 Princes Street, on the third floor and there is full disabled access.

My practice is very accessible via public transport and there is also parking around the back via Rose Street.

If you haven’t heard of art therapy before, it is a form of therapy that uses art making as a means of communication and expression and therefore does not rely solely on words. There is absolutely no requirement for skill or experience in art making to benefit from art therapy.

If, however, art is not your thing, that is absolutely fine! Your session does not have to rely on the use of art materials and it may be that talking feels like the most important means of communication for you.

I support children, young people and adults who are struggling with a range of issues including:

- Low mood and depression
- Anxiety
- Low self-confidence
- Neurodiverse diagnosis
- Bereavement
- Self-harm
- Suicidal thoughts
- Gender identity

I offer taster sessions as a means for us to meet, say hi and for you to see the therapy space.

If you’d like to learn more information, do visit my website at
www.heartpsychotherapy.co.uk

I look forward to hearing from you
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I have some availablity on Wednesdays (including evenings) for confidential art therapy sessions for children, young people and adults from 83 Princes Street, Edinburgh (or online from anywhere in the UK)! No experience or skill in art making is required to benefit.

The space is very easily accessible via public transport (bus or tram) and fully wheelchair accessible. There is also private parking around the back of the building via Rose Street (involves a small parking fee).

If you or someone you know are struggling with:

- Low mood or depression
- Anxiety
- Trauma
- Bereavement
- Neurodivergent diagnosis
- Disordered eating
- Self-harm

Then contact ‘Belinda’ today at [email protected]

Or visit my website for more information

www.heartpsychotherapy.co.uk

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

🌟 Online art therapy for children and young people 🌟

As someone who was born and brought up in the northern isles, I am very aware of how difficult it can be for families to access therapy, particularly those living in remote or rural areas. This is what makes online art therapy so great!

I am working therapeutically more and more with children and young people online. Many parents and carers feel unsure about how their child could effectively engage in online therapy. The key to working therapeutically online, is engagement.

One of the tools I often use to help to with engagement is the whiteboard tool via Zoom.

The use of the whiteboard can immediately puts a young person at ease, in that they do not feel any pressure to make direct eye contact as there is a whiteboard between myself and the client.

Clients I have worked with have spoken of finding this tool really fun to use and one of the benefits of using it, is that collaborative artwork can be created between the client and the art therapist, something that can help to increase a client's confidence in the early stages of the therapeutic relationship.

Below is an example of a collaborative piece of digital artwork that emerged from the 'squiggle game', using the whiteboard tool in Zoom with a younger client. They have very kindly given me permission to share it, to help illustrate how accessible online art therapy can prove for young people.

You do not need a touch screen device to make art via this tool, drawings can also be made using a mouse.

Do you love making art, but find that you never take the time out to do this for yourself?

Join Belinda, art therapist at Heart Psychotherapy, for weekly mindful art making sessions online.

A safe, quiet space to ground yourself, breathe, make art and relax

Every Tuesday evening from Tuesday 16th July – Tuesday 6th August via Zoom

£10 for the hour

No skill in art making required and no requirement to attend every week.

What do I need to access the sessions?

- suitable device such as laptop, iPad or tablet
- stable internet connection
- a quiet space where you’re confident you won’t be interrupted
- a small work surface to make art on
- a small selection of art materials of your choice

How do I access the sessions?

If you would like to join a weekly session, simply drop me an email at [email protected]. Once payment is made via bank transfer by 5pm on the Monday, a Zoom link will be emailed through to you to join the session on Tuesday evening.

(Please note this is not an art therapy group, but a space for individuals to engage with therapeutic art making for general wellbeing).

I look forward to hearing from you ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

A really useful article by 'Very Well Mind' regarding stimming. Stimming is often be discouraged, when in fact, it is often a really important coping mechanism for neurodiverse individuals. Ongoing repetition of a favourite word for example, can be an example of a stim that is helping someone to self-regulate/cope with feelings of stress or anxiety. The key is not to discourage, but to be curious and try to understand why a person may be repeating this behaviour.

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-to-know-about-stimming-in-adhd-5221301 #:~:text=Stimming%20is%20essentially%20a%20self,phrases%20over%20and%20over%20again.

Not sure I've ever come across a quote that sums up grief as well as this one does ❤️

⭐️ TESTIMONIAL TUESDAY ⭐️

This quote from a parent demonstrates just how powerful it can be for a young person who is experiencing difficulties with regards to their mental health, to have a protected time, once per week, in a safe space with a trusted adult, where they know they will be listened to without judgement.

Weekly art therapy sessions with an HCPC registered art therapist provide a consistent time each week for clients to explore art materials, whilst chatting about challenging subjects if and when they feel ready.

In person and online art therapy with Belinda, experienced HCPC registered art therapist and primary teacher based on Princes Street, Edinburgh

Are you or someone you care for struggling with?

- Bereavement
- Neurodivergent diagnosis
- Self-harm or suicidal thoughts
- Stress and anxiety
- Low mood or depression
- Gender identity
- Disordered eating
- Trauma

Art therapy with Heart provides clients of any age with a safe space where you can work through issues that are proving challenging for you at your own pace. It can help you to feel less anxious and increase your self esteem, providing a chance for you to explore your emotions in a non-threatening way via the use of art materials, with no pressure to use words.

You do not need any skill or experience in art making to benefit. Just a willingness to be brave, to explore materials when you feel ready and focus on the process, as opposed to the product.

Book a 30-minute taster session today for £30 (in person or online), to gain a sense of whether art therapy might be the right fit for you!

I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind wishes and thank you for reading,
Belinda

Art Psychotherapist at Heart Psychotherapy
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

'Reading between the lines'
Pencils and tipp-ex mouse

The things you don’t say
Are the things I notice
Your words may be bright, you say ‘I’m fine’,
But your presentation is dark
I notice, I listen, I check

Artworks created,
With angry hands and tearful eyes
Little is said
I notice, I listen, I check

Important details, you omit
The jigsaw pieces
That have shaped your life
I notice, I listen, I check

Humour used
To numb the pain
Of the trauma, the worries, the fears
I notice, I listen, I check

Indirect words and phrases,
All of which say ‘help’
You can’t say the word,
But I am there
To listen to you, to support you, to walk alongside you
I notice, I listen, I check

I throw the life ring,
I am an emotional container
For all that you have been through,
The pain you have suffered
And the hopes, for what is to come
I notice, I listen, I check

by Belinda Anderson
Art Psychotherapist at Heart Psychotherapy

A significant part of the role of a therapist, is intuition. It is our job to ‘read between the lines’. Words may never be within reach for a client who has experienced traumatic life events. A client may never feel able to utter the words ‘I feel suicidal’, for example. Saying it out loud makes it real, it can be overwhelming and frightening. It is our job, to notice:

- the way in which things are said
- the things that are unsaid
- the feeling we, as the therapist, have in our gut when something is said that doesn’t ‘match’ the energy in the room, or the client’s presentation

We don’t just listen to our gut, we act upon it and at times, it can save a client's life ❤️

📚 The Body Keeps The Score 📚

I don't know how many times I've read/re-read/tapped into this number by Vessel Van Der Kolk. Utterly fascinating read. The impact of trauma on our nervous system and how art therapy can help to heal these trauma wounds is something that will always continue to fascinate me. I feel very blessed to do what I do ❤️

Three week online art therapy group for adults diagnosed with ADHD coming soon. Starts Tues 11 June from 7-8pm via Zoom.

Art therapy can prove really helpful for clients who have ADHD, in that it can:

- promote relaxation/help reduce stress
- increase focus/attention span
- help individuals to self regulate and slow down a busy mind

The group will be a small, safe and supportive space with a maximum of 6 participants.

If you are interested in joining, there are still a few spaces left.

Drop me an email at [email protected]. to book your space today!

Thanks for reading ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

⭐ Hope ⭐

My favourite word. And the name of the main character in my first children's book 💜

You can now find out more information about my practice on the Counselling Directory, by clicking on the following link 🙂

Belinda Anderson If words are too painful to express, find healing through art therapy. Rest assured I will always go at your pace, helping you to navigate your path to feeling better. No skill or experience in art making is required to benefit from art therapy.

https://youtu.be/ONmbxubKu2s?si=gP5yl7YfP4D6umNk

Introducing the launch of my new children's story, ‘Angry Joel, The Boy Who Was Hurt’, a digital tale highlighting the importance of trauma informed practice. Huge, HUGE shout to my dear pal and and fellow art therapist Mairi Perry, who did the wonderful illustrations for me. Thank you Mairi, for just ‘getting’ my vision without hardly having to say a thing! 😘❤

“Trauma-informed approaches have become increasingly cited in policy and reduce the negative impact of trauma experiences and support mental and physical health outcomes.” GOV.UK

Angry Joel entered my head one day last year, when I was at home, feeling poorly and lying on the couch!

As an art therapist, I work with many young people who have felt misunderstood by those around them for almost their entire life.

In Joel’s case, he had experienced adverse childhood experience since birth. His Grandmother was the only safe person he had to share his worries with. The adults and peers within his school judged him as being ‘bad’, when they had no idea what was going on for him personally.

It is so important when working with young people that we:

- Do not making any assumptions regarding a child’s behaviour without being aware of what is or has gone on for them in their life
- Remember that ALL behaviour is communication – no child behaves in a challenging way for the sake of it, there will always be something at the root

Having someone who Joel could confide in, helped there by his class teacher Miss Zain, completely changed his life. Joel needed this life ring and by accepting it, he was given a safe space to share his experiences and in turn feel calmer, and less sad and angry.

As a therapist, when I receive a referral for a young person that mentions ‘anger issues’, ‘aggression’, ‘angry outbursts’, the first thing I think is, I wonder what has hurt them? Anger is so, so often hurt in disguise and it is so, so important that we hold this in mind.

Thank you for watching. Please feel free to share with your networks
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ANGRY JOEL FINAL Introducing the launch of ‘Angry Joel, The Boy Who Was Hurt’, a digital story highlighting the importance of trauma informed practice. In Joel’s case, he had...

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT IN EDINBURGH (AND ONLINE)

Are you looking for support with your mental health, or someone you care for?

Have you wondered about ART THERAPY but not sure whether it's the right fit for you?

Book a 30 minute taster session with Belinda at Heart Psychotherapy. During this 30 minute meet and greet you will have the chance to see the therapy space, hear a little bit about art therapy and share a little bit about you and the challenges you are currently experiencing. If it doesn't feel right, there is no obligation to proceed any further. Online sessions are also available❤️

Taster sessions cost £30 and run from the Regus building at 83 Princes Street, Edinburgh. No previous experience of or skill in art making is required.

In the meantime, why not take a look at my website for some more information on art therapy including many testimonials from clients, illustrating how it has proven helpful for them.

www.heartpsychotherapy.co.uk

I look forward to hearing from you 😊❤️

'The colours of chronic illness' - acrylics

It's been a wee while since I made art purely for myself. Really benefitted from painting this evening. Always struck by how often I sigh when I'm making art. I find it such an emotional release and when I finish, I always feel like I can take a deep, deep breath ❤️

If you'd like to share some information about art therapy with someone you think might benefit from it, I have just added a downloadable PDF leaflet onto my website. You will find it down at the bottom of the 'About' page. I have pasted the link below ❤️ Happy Friday eve!

https://www.heartpsychotherapy.co.uk/about

There are still a few spaces left for the 6 week online art therapy group for people with diagnosed auto immune conditions. Please share with anyone you think may benefit 😊 The sessions will take place from 7-8pm on Wednesday evenings starting from next Wed 10th April. Thank you for reading ❤️

Happy Easter folks!

If you or someone you know have a diagnosed auto immune condition and fancy giving a 6 week art therapy group a go online, please share with your networks ❤️ This would be a very small (maximum of 6) confidential group and no skill whatsoever in art making is required - it's more about having a safe space alongside fellow auto immune disease warriors to get together, make some art to help process their symptoms/diagnosis and have a 'wee blether' about the frustrations surrounding your condition ❤️