Dawn Lucas

I favour an integrative and humanistic approach and have an authentic, playful, empathic and non-judgmental style. Together we can create a safe therapeutic environment where you can be your authentic self and feel seen and heard. I hope this can provide the opportunity to explore your feelings, behaviours, identity and beliefs and how you see yourself in the world. In sessions we can create a therapeutic safe place where you can understand yourself better, develop confidence, face your fears by learning how to reduce feelings of anxiety, distress or anger and gain additional support to get you through difficult periods in your life. Whatever is needed, I will accompany you on your personal therapy journey and support you to reach your individual goals. The arts are an alternative approach to traditional talking. It can provide a deeper insight when it is hard to find the words for your experiences and feelings. In sessions, I would encourage you to explore this in a creative way through the seven art forms: Art, Drama/Puppetry, Sculpture/Clay, Poetry, Sand-play, Music and Bodywork/Movement. You do not need to have any experience with the arts and I encourage you to be curious and experiment with art mediums that you are drawn to. If you find using the arts difficult, metaphors can be a beautiful way of communicating your inner world and can be expanded further with during sessions. We can gain creative inspiration and find meaning from everywhere e.g., people, nature, exhibitions, films, songs, dreams, short stories, gaming, and anime to name a few! I will encourage you to share your interests and passions via metaphors as a gentle way to introduce the arts and discover your most comfortable way of communicating.

As an Arts Psychotherapist, I am very committed to working inclusively and have worked with many cultures, genders, sexual orientations, and ages. I have worked in various NHS mental health settings (CPTSD & Forensic Recovery and Rehabilitation services) working with complex trauma with various mental health diagnoses and conditions in a trauma-informed way. I currently work for the Charity MIND (Hammersmith, Fulham, Ealing & Hounslow) managing an empowered community forensic women's hub, working with women 18+ leaving forensic mental health services who are transitioning back into the community. I have also provided Arts Psychotherapy in local communities across London working with marginalised individuals with diverse life experiences and relationships and offering interventions that are person - centred to each individual. I am committed in providing affirmative therapy for LGBTQIA+ individuals & I am a Sex Worker friendly therapist (approved by the European Sex Worker Alliance - ESWA).