Embedded Files
My first year at Queen Margaret University in Leith was filled with creativity, friendship, and inspiration. I was lucky to have wonderful classmates and an exceptional supervisor, Professor Peter Byrne, a true teacher and artist with an open spirit and deep empathy. One of the highlights was the Christmas dinner for everyone at the school, a moment of true togetherness and joy, as the pictures still show :)
dec2002
Critical approach of visual data gathering
Coming from an educational and psychological background and being an amateur artist it took me a long time to adjust to the multidimensional visual way of thinking. When I first joined the course I used to draw representational and conventional pictures and to be more interested in looking at conventional artwork. I used to focus on the subject of a picture and ignore other parameters of it, such as colours.
mai2002
Exploring Winnicott’s “Holding Environment” in Art Therapy
In this reflective assignment, I explored D.W. Winnicott’s concept of the “holding environment” and its application in art therapy, particularly with children. Winnicott believed that a child’s emotional development is rooted in the quality of early maternal care, especially the consistent, responsive, and protective presence of a “good enough mother.” In therapy, this nurturing environment can be mirrored by the therapist to support healing and integration.
Drawing from my experience with Ian, an eight-year-old boy affected by emotional neglect, I described how I used structure, empathy, and creative freedom to create a safe therapeutic space. His disruptive behaviours were seen not as defiance, but as vital tests of the environment’s reliability. This case highlights the emotional significance of consistency and trust in therapeutic relationships, and how art therapy can offer a powerful medium for containment and expression.
avril2002
Ian's machine-containment?
Sophie's puppet
Art therapy placement at Craigroyston Primary School in Edinburgh
During my first year of art therapy training, I had the opportunity to complete a placement at Craigroyston Primary School in Edinburgh. I worked one-on-one with three children who had been referred for behavioural difficulties and complex family situations. Coming from an educational background myself, I found this internship to be a perfect match—it beautifully combined my prior experience with the deep, reflective practice of art therapy. It was my first hands-on experience facilitating individual sessions, and also my first glimpse into the Scottish school system. I still smile thinking of Mr. Forrest, a passionate teacher who truly valued the presence of an art therapist in the school. I used to call him “Mr.” out of respect, but he wasn’t a fan—he said it made him feel old! 🙂
This placement was a strong foundation for my future work!
fev2002
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