Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses art media as its primary mode of expression and communication. Within this context, art is not used as diagnostic tool but as a medium to address issues which may be confusing and distressing. Art therapy is not a recreational activity or an art lesson, although the sessions can be enjoyable. Clients do not need to be good at art or have any previous experience.

Art therapists work with all ages both individually and in groups. Clients may have a wide range of difficulties. These include emotional, behavioural or mental health problems, trauma, transitions, displacement, bereavement, learning or physical disabilities and illness, life-limiting conditions.

Although informed by psychoanalysis, art therapists have integrated theories and approaches such as attachment-based psychotherapy, mindfulness and mentalisation-based treatments, compassion-focussed and cognitive analytic therapies, and socially engaged practice. The links between neuro-science and art therapy are at the forefront of research and psycho education within therapy empowers and informs the client.

Art Therapists are registered and regulated by the HCPC.

Clinical Specialist support: Weight loss, Anxiety, Exam performance issues, Phobias, PTSD Confidence, Trauma, Depression, Stopping Smoking, Stress- Related Illness, IBS, Relationship Problems and many other issues.

Hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis for the treatment and alleviation of a variety of physical and psychological symptoms. Hypnosis allows the subject to experience often quite deep levels of relaxation and so helps to reduce levels of stress and anxiety. There is a difference from ‘stage’ hypnotherapy to clinical hypnotherapy, for foremost not being regulated. Hypnotherapist must be qualified and a member of a recognising body.

Cyber therapy can also be known as: Telehealth, Online therapy, Etherapy. Cyber therapy involves providing mental health support over the internet. This support can be offered through email, text messaging, video conferencing and instant messenger. Cyber therapy can also involve using gaming platforms, avatars, virtual sand trays or 3D worlds. Using these platforms enables you to explore thoughts and feelings from a different angle.

Please note: Clinical Hypnotherapy, Dramatherapy & Integrative Psychotherapy can also be offered via videocall.

Dramatherapy is an Arts Psychotherapy. Using fundamentals of connection, play. metaphor and story, dramatherapy encourages self-expression and freedom without judgement. Dramatherapy is not a class, or performance. It is a safe space to explore ones self, their experiences and their relationships through creative means. No drama experience or skills are necessary to participate.

People might choose dramatherapy to heal from past trauma, manage anxiety and depression, understand relationships, find a sense of self, manage work stress for example. The reasons for referral are endless.

Drama & Movement Therapy or The Sesame approach to dramatherapy specifically, is rooted in psychoanalytic and developmental psychology, Laban movement and Movement with Touch & Sound. Drama & Movement therapy works from the ‘bottom up’, or from the body toward cognition.

Dramatherapists are registered and regulated by the HCPC.

Equine facilitated psychotherapy - The use of horses in therapeutic approaches is continuing to grow worldwide due to the amazing outcomes that can be achieved. This new approach to psychological therapy is called Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy. This helps clients to learn about themselves and others by participating in activities with the horses, then discussing and processing feelings, behaviours and patterns.

Our Equine Therapist has written more about it for Stylist, read it here: What is equine therapy?

Animal assisted therapy - AAT is a natural and holistic therapy that predates science. It involves the use of animal interventions, within the therapy session to aid the counselling session. It can help clients to focus on something less stressful than discussing their problems with a therapist. The reduction in anxiety about the situation, gives comfort about the surroundings and provides some form of social support for the client.

PLEASE NOTE: Equine Therapy sessions take place at our therapist’s yard near Wisbech.

A central aim of forensic psychotherapy is to lessen the negative or unhelpful defences against internal conflict. Therapy supports the client to identify and address unconscious dynamics, leading to a more useful expression of feelings.

We use the therapeutic relationship to reduce offending behaviour leading to positive non-offending outcomes. Attention to the transference and countertransference experienced in the consulting room is central to the treatment. Verbatim employ an evidence-based model of treatment utilising psychodynamic principles.

Through careful integration of Verbatim’s core elements of risk assessment, the therapeutic relationship and psycho-education in partnership, we aim to bring about long-term sustainable change by involving the supportive network in the therapeutic process. The sessions will also be an aid to on-going assessment helping us to get a better picture of cognitive functioning.

Integrative psychotherapy brings together different schools of therapy, for example Humanistic therapies, psychoanalytical, psychodynamic therapies, cognitive behavioural therapies and transpersonal therapies.

The aim is to facilitate wholeness by helping you integrate the emotional, behavioural and cognitive parts of your personality. We believe that you are more than your behaviour and we value you as a whole person: body; mind and spirit.

Music therapy is an established psychological clinical intervention. This helps people of all ages, whose lives have been affected by injury, illness or disability through supporting their psychological, emotional, cognitive, physical, communicative and social needs. Music Therapy has been shown to scientifically improve children’s ability to relate to adults and peers and to integrate their life experiences.

Music helps us connect with ourselves and others by building upon the experience of co-creating with the therapist. Powerful memories can be stirred and worked upon within the sessions. Music helps us to resonate with powerful feelings and experiences.

Music therapy is particularly effective for people who find talking therapy difficult.

Music Therapists are registered and regulated by the HCPC.

Play Therapy is an intervention where play and art materials are used as the main mode of expression. Play Therapy can be a particularly helpful approach for children in need of therapeutic support.

Children can explore their feelings and experiences using play, in creative and dynamic ways, without having to use words. Play Therapy sessions might include: drawing and painting, water and clay, sand tray and miniatures, guided imagery and relaxation techniques, drama and puppetry, poetry, movement and music.

Play Therapy sessions aim to build a child’s ability to develop healthy and resilient relationships, and to work though traumatic experiences which may be preoccupying them. Pre-occupying difficult feeling can make learning at school or managing feelings impossible. Children might feel safer to express themselves or explore their experiences through play indirectly.

Play therapists are registered and regulated by PTUK.
*Our Play Therapist is in training.

Walking therapy offers you the chance to literally move at your own pace, embracing the changing landscape and becoming more one with yourself in nature. You don’t have to be fit as each session caters to your needs no matter what level of fitness, the focus is not on how far or fast you walk but on being out amongst nature with a compassionate guide. Walking side by side with your therapist is often experienced by clients as less intimidating. This gentle form of exercise helps stimulate and develop new neural pathways, promoting problem solving just as nature intended. If you prefer a meditative, relaxing session of walking or a more active, fast-paced session, our therapists can match your pace.

Clients have reported that the combination of being outdoors, at one with nature alongside a therapist, has inspired them to consider new approaches to grounding their problems.

Some people have asked us about confidentiality while walking, although a possibility that you might come across someone you know, it is highly unlikely as Pensthorpe offers in excess of 200 acres to explore; embracing nature trails, bird hides and walk-through aviaries into the natural surroundings of the nature reserve.