Emma Mills BA (Hons), PGCE, MA
After graduating with a BA (Hons) Degree in Fine Art in 1988, I trained as a teacher in London and have worked in educational settings for over 34 years. In 1993 I went to Botswana, Africa where I lived for 10 years, teaching in a government school and exhibiting as an artist. I returned to the UK in 2003 and trained as an Art Psychotherapist at Goldsmiths College, London University. The training lasted 3 years and resulted in a Master's Degree in Art Psychotherapy. Throughout training I was required to be in my own therapy.I have been working as an Art Psychotherapist (Art Therapist) for the last 18 years in Child and Adolescent Mental Health teams (CAMHS) within the NHS, Women's Aid (refuges and outreach centres), community projects, local authority teams, schools and as a private practitioner. My clients include children, adults and families who have lived with the following: adoption, fostering, self-harm, drug abuse, addiction, domestic violence, sexual emotional and physical abuse, trauma, loss and bereavement and relationship problems. I have also worked with Autistic and Asperger children and adults. I am trained in EMDR by an EMDR Europe authorised training and am qualified to use EMDR techniques during therapy.
In 2008 I was awarded the first Art Therapy Marion Milner Scholarship from Goldsmiths College. This enabled me to undertake Art Therapy work in Botswana with different children's charities. I return to Botswana to annually work with Stepping Stones International Children's Charity and other Botswana NGO’s as a member of the non-profit organisation CIADT (Circle International Art and Drama Therapy). I have published articles and papers in the British Association of Art Therapy's 'News Briefing' and 'The International Journal of Art Therapy' about my work in Botswana and with children who have witnessed domestic violence. The articles can be viewed/downloaded here, here and here. I also deliver lectures on the MA Art Psychotherapy and the MA Domestic Violence at Goldsmiths College, University of London
I provide a Supervision Service for other therapists. I am a member of the British Association of Art Therapists, and am a BAAT & IATE registered supervisor and a registered member of the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC).
I undertake regular clinical supervision and continual professional development and have completed many training hours on working with the effects of trauma. I am committed to a trauma-informed approach to art therapy having experience of working with many clients who have lived with physical and or sexual trauma. I am certified to practice Guided Drawing - a Sensorimotor Approach-based neuroscience recommendation. I use psychoeducation to inform clients about the effects of trauma and how best to recover.
A Safe Environment
Art Therapy is available in my Art Therapy Studio at 1 Great Hays, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex SS9 4RR. There is plenty of car parking outside. The nearest bus route is the 29 Arriva bus service, every 20 minutes, from Garons Leisure Centre via Southend Central to Belgrade Road. The nearest bus stop (end of The Fairway opposite BP Garage) is a 5-minute walk from the Art Therapy Studio. The studio is equipped with various materials for you to use as you wish. You may want to paint, draw or play with clay. You may wish to explore the materials, pouring paint, ripping paper or pushing chalk pastels against paper. Playing with material will be beneficial for you to find non-verbal ways of expressing how you feel.Art Therapy allows you to trust and feel safe exploring any difficult feelings you may be experiencing. This safety comes not only as your relationship evolves with me as your therapist, but also from experiencing the art materials as a way of exploring these feelings.
