Kirsten's Story

Hello and welcome. Let me tell you a little about myself and the cross continental journey to

h e r e .  The birth of my Art Therapy practice. 

I was born in South Africa, where I spent my childhood growing up in a Camphill Community.  This is a community for mentally disabled children and adults based on the philosophies of Rudolf Steiner.  Camphill offers a nurturing environment to harness the full strengths and abilities of all those who reside there.  This is done through work on the biodynamic farm, working with animals, and participating in the many creative workshops from weaving to woodwork.

At the age of 12, my family and I immigrated to the UK, where we again resided in another Camphill Community. My continued interest in the arts lead to attaining a BA(Hons) in Fine Art Sculpture at Wimbledon School of Art, London. Having worked with my family in workshop based activities for mentally handicapped people, I continued this thread, teaching pottery and art classes to both able and disabled children. 

In my early 20’s, I travelled to Australia where I ended up residing  for 10 years. Here I continued my studies and qualified with an advanced diploma in Transpersonal Art Therapy. I was part of the pioneering team founding the Wellbeing Program at the Prince of Wales hospital in Sydney, Australia where I facilitated regular Art Therapy workshops for spinal injury, stroke and general rehab patients. This program has since expanded and developed in two other hospitals in Sydney and is being facilitated by a fellow Art Therapist.

I later lived in Paris, France for nearly 5 years where I did my Masters in Art Psychotherapy. In Paris, my Art Therapy experience included working at a residence for moderate to severely paralysed people, collaborating with a Dance Therapist working with adults on the autism spectrum, and facilitating Art Therapy workshops in both the day care centre and secure unit for psychiatric patients.

Since returning to England in 2018, I have been working in the Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit at Devon Partnership Trust. My private practice is based in Exeter and I facilitate customised client based Art Therapy workshops at various venues, events and retreats.

I am wordly, calm and above all, a good listener. I welcome all who seek to experience the benefits of Art Therapy and work on personal development. And above all, I look forward to meeting you. 

Four countries and four decades to h e r e .

Art Therapy with Kirsten