Jo Ray

Integrative Arts Psychotherapist and Counsellor
UKCP, HCPC, MBACP

I am an Integrative Arts Psychotherapist and Counsellor based in Dulwich and I work with adults, adolescents and children. Art therapy can help with emotional, relational and behavioural difficulties that may be difficult to verbalise.

There are many different life issues which bring people into therapy and it can be a daunting process finding the right therapist. Central to my work is the relationship between client and therapist. I provide a safe, confidential space with warmth, acceptance and respect.

As we build a relationship together I will offer supportive invitations to use the arts to explore your emotional and psychological experiences. We will work together to find constructive ways forwards for you on your personal journey of growth and psychological change.

‘Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life’  Pablo Picasso

Art Psychotherapy

Art Psychotherapy can help with problems that may be difficult to verbalise. Many psychological issues are multi-layered, and we often learn to skilfully avoid core feelings. The arts can help identify, connect-to and experience emotions on a deep non-verbal level.

‘Art can permeate the very deepest part of us, where no words exist’  Eileen Miller

The Art Part: Do I need to be good at art?

No artistic skill is required. In fact artistic skill can be a challenge to overcome when using the Arts on a psychotherapeutic journey. It is not important what the ‘image’ looks like but what it represents to you, how you felt while you were making it and the links we make together, over time, between the images. Maybe it is a scribble on a scrap of paper; a scrunched up bit of tissue paper; a lump of clay thrown down on the table ‘thunk’; a particular puppet that always seems to draw your attention; a song that holds specific meaning to you; a poem; stories; films; music; the noise of a creaking door in the hall; a leaf you picked up; a postcard…

I will offer the arts in a supportive way, always working with you to find non-verbal expression you feel contained and supported by and, above all, safe.

‘The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance’  Aristotle

The Psychotherapy Part: Integrated Psychotherapy Theory

Psychological healing and growth is not a linear process and can be challenging, similar to embarking on a journey. There can be challenges and obstacles along the way. I work, integrating many models of theory which provides flexibility to grow and adapt the therapeutic work as the journey unfolds, working together to find the right way forwards for you.

‘The truth is not always beautiful, nor beautiful words the truth’  Laozi

Registration & experience

I am a UKCP and  HCPC registered Integrative Arts Psychotherapist and a registered member MBACP. I work within the ethical codes of practice of the organisations of which I am a member and registered with.

Previous to my psychotherapy training I worked as a packaging designer. My first degree was in graphic design and I bring over 25 years experience of working within creative environments. Since retraining my experience of working psychotherapeutically, using the creative process to facilitate change and help re-establish psychological growth, has been: with children as part of the Kids Company schools programme (primary and secondary); with adults in an award winning psychodynamic NHS clinic for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse; with adolescents in a secondary school in South Croydon; with adults as part of Dimbleby Cancer Care within an NHS hospital; as well as with private clients of all ages.