“In our darkest moments, we don't need solutions or advice. What we yearn for is simply human connection.” (Ernest Hemingway)
I’m Fiona, a Holistic Integrative Creative Arts Therapist (HICAT), Artist and Teacher based in West Lothian. I have over 20 years of experience working with children, teenagers and adults, supporting them in a variety of contexts.
In individual and group Create and Connect sessions you will learn new drawing, painting and crafting skills whilst gaining the following wellbeing benefits:
Connection with yourself and, if you like, others
A chance to become more self-aware
Freedom to express yourself
An opportunity to leave the stresses of life behind you and spend time in relaxation response
Holistic health benefits of being in relaxation response, to your body, mind and spirit
You can find out more about the sessions offered and book in the sections below.
What to expect from our sessions…
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Somewhere to breathe, be heard- not just listened to but heard. Free of judgement. I use a person-centered approach to support you in navigating your own way through challenging times.
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Use creativity to express yourself and learn new skills. Enjoy the sensory element of using different materials and build confidence by unlocking your creative potential.
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Our sessions will allow you to connect with not only others but yourself. To allow you to feel heard, understood and, importantly, not alone. This might be during 1:1 sessions or one of the groups I run.
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One of the many benefits of creative arts therapy is its power to tap into our sub-conscious, allow our intuition to guide us and ascertain positive change to our thought, behaviours and emotional well-being.
Creative therapies use a variety of physical and tactile art-based activities, such as clay, paints, movement, storytelling and sand play to help support mental health.
People with little or no creative experience can fully immerse themselves and feelings to increase self-awareness, the inner you...!
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I am guided by you. I will not give advice but provide you with tools to make your own decisions on the path which is right for you. If something does not feel right or a particular tool or approach is not working for you, you are free to explore another without judgement.
What does a session look like?
Individual sessions (for both adults and young people):
Relaxation technique to help you engage your parasympathetic nervous system.
Therapeutic drawing following a person-centred approach. I am guided by you and where you are in the moment. There are no expectations. Depending on the individual, we may take a more talk-centred or creativity centred approach.
We may also explore additional creative modalities including storytelling, drama, music, crafts, journalling, dance, movement, play, and sand.
Group Sessions (activities vary depending on age):
Relaxation technique- as above
Therapeutic drawing to help the group explore areas such as beliefs about themselves, emotions, behaviours, tools to connect and prioritise our inner child.
Art and crafts: Each week we will explore a different drawing, painting or craft technique with the focus being on enjoying the process and the wellbeing benefits of creating, not on the outcome.
Services
1:1 Sessions
Start with an initial free 15 minute phone consultation to discuss support options.
1:1 sessions can be in person or online, depending what suits you best.
Contact me to find out more.
Group Sessions
I have group sessions available for both adults and young people in Edinburgh and West Lothian. Click here to find out more and book and see the adult and children’s classes link at the top of the website.
Calm Kids Group Member
“This group is my favourite part of the week. I always ask my mum if it’s Thursday yet.”
Adult online group member
“I attended Fiona's online creative arts therapy sessions for adults, and they’ve been such a positive experience. Each week offered a variety of creative activities like painting, doodling, mindful crafts, all designed to encourage self-expression rather than artistic skill. For me, the classes became a way to unwind and create out a pause in the week that was just for me. Even though the sessions were online, the atmosphere was relaxed, welcoming, and judgment-free, making it easy to explore creatively without worrying. You can share your work with the group if you’d like, or simply enjoy the process for yourself. The materials provided were thoughtful and the option of an in-person final session was a lovely extra. I always finished each session feeling inspired and more connected to myself. I’d highly recommend these sessions to anyone looking for a creative way to support their wellbeing.”
Adults Group Member
“This group makes me create more now. My child sees me drawing and painting and I’ve noticed that they also create more often now.”
Contact Me
Interested in working together? If you wish to find out any further information about one of the services I offer, or to book, please fill in the form to the right.and I will be in touch within 1 working day .