Welcome
Welcome to Cara Lorrimer Therapeutic Arts.
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Everyone could do with their own time and space to be themselves, away from the pressures and hardships of what life can often throw.
The therapeutic arts are an effective way for young people to explore and create meaning, whilst counselling allows for compassion, empathy and curiosity, without judgement. The combination of the two can be life changing for a young person and can help landscape inner worlds and experience of life.
With over 16 years of experience working with children and young people, Cara is a Play and Development Specialist and has clinical experience with young people up to 18 years old.
Cara is available for one-to-one sessions and group sessions, in private practise or in school and community settings.
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Emotional literacy
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Learning and development
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Attachment issues
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Trauma and adverse life experiences
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Bereavement and loss
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Family issues and dynamics
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Empowerment coaching
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Developing self-love and confidence
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Social and online bullying
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Stress and anxiety
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Sexuality and relationships
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Angry feelings and behaviour
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Self-harm and suicidal thoughts
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Coping with difficult emotions
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Addictions and phobias
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Health worries​
About Me
I am a therapist and counsellor specialising in the arts and play.
With over 16 years experience working with children and young people, I developed my practise as a Play and Development Specialist, working in a variety of settings alongside parents, teachers and other professionals.
I have a passion for working with young minds and a drive to provide a safe space to allow for growth and sense of well-being.
Registered with B.A.C.P, I have a degree in Child Education and Development and a post-graduate qualification in Child Counselling Using the Arts. I have an up-to-date DBS and follow the B.A.C.P code of ethics and safeguarding whilst adhering to the policies of each setting I visit.
My nature is calm and understanding, non-judgemental but curious, empathic and sometimes playful, which means clients can feel safe in the therapeutic relationship and the space to share, to be and to know themselves. I aim to develop a positive relationship and trust with my clients so that they can feel safe in exploring with me.
My approach is integrative, which means many therapeutic theories and techniques are used, with a humanistic and holistic focus and roots in good, old psychodynamic theory. My practise is compassion focussed and is inspired by attachment-based psychotherapy.
What is Arts Therapy?
Similar to art therapy, play therapy and other creative therapies, Therapeutic Arts Counselling spans all creative mediums and provides a safe space, warm empathic relationship and arts resources for young people to explore in order to cope with difficult feelings and emotions.
For young children, play and creativity is the common language and having resources available means young people can connect with what may or may not be unconscious to work through together in the session. The developmental stage of the child is honoured at all times.
Decades of research evidence has shown that using the arts can enhance brain function and help regulate brain wave patterns, emotions and the nervous system. It can actually raise serotonin and dopamine to help a person feel calmer and counter-balance stress hormones.
The aim is to achieve a general sense of well-being so children and young people feel better equipped to learn and cope with whatever life may bring to them, adding tools and techniques to the young person’s ‘toolbox for life’.
“Through creativity and imagination, we find our identity and our reservoir of healing.
The more we understand the relationship between creative expression and healing,
the more we will find the healing power in the arts”
H.L. Stuckey, J. Nobel (US Institute of Health)
Therapeutic Arts Sessions
No art experience is necessary!
Some may wish to use the sessions to be silent or to use the time to talk, with minimal use of the arts, whilst some may only wish to make art or play. Resources will be available in the therapeutic space, if and when a young person chooses to use them. The young person’s needs will be at the forefront of the sessions and Cara will follow their lead.
Remember, judgement is left outside the therapy room so the young person can feel free and safe to make any image, no matter how big or small, detailed, abstract or simple. There are no rules for creativity in Cara’s therapy sessions.
There will be no pressure to be an artist, just encouragement to explore and be curious, whether this is through clay, sand-tray, collage, drawing and painting, looking at images, play, music, movement, poetry or talking. Cara also practises mindfulness meditation which has similar calming effects on the brain and the body.
Sessions are 1 hour long.
Concession rates may be discussed.
Contact
UK MOBILE
London and surrounding areas
Schools - Clubs - Home Visits - Practices
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