Miriam Kilpatrick

HCPC registered Art Psychotherapist
BAAT registered

Available on Fridays

As an Artist and Art Psychotherapist of mixed heritage, I have found that creativity allows space for us to express our unique experiences within a process where the outcome may not always be certain.

I work in a client led approach, offering a contained and safe space to explore thoughts and feelings through art-making or talking. Art-making provides another way to explore feelings that a person may not understand or have the words to express verbally. Exploring the internal world can offer space to think about how behaviours communicate unprocessed feelings. Art Therapy can allow this self-expression to be heard and understood by the therapist and client alike. As a therapist of mixed heritage, I feel it is vital to work to an individual’s needs, whilst respecting individuality and my clients’ cultural backgrounds. I use an anti-colonial framework that keeps in mind a person’s intersectionality in the therapeutic space.

I am trained psychodynamically and so offer a non-directive therapeutic space. You do not need any background in the arts to engage with this form of therapy, and it is appropriate for all ages and backgrounds. I have experience working with adolescents and adults, across the NHS, in schools and community organisations. I am experienced in working with bereavement/loss, anxiety, depression, addiction, eating disorders, personality disorders and other mental health problems; ADHD, autism and learning difficulties. I have also worked with refugees and those whose families have been affected by war.

Alongside private practice I currently work in the NHS within adult mental health and am an associate lecturer on the MA Art Psychotherapy course at Goldsmiths, University of London. I am also a clinical supervisor.