Deborah French

Tena koutou katoa, Ko Taranaki Te Maunga, Ko Te Henui Te Awa, Ko Ngati Pakeha Te Iwi, Ko Deborah French toku ingoa. I am a Clinical Arts Therapist and Counsellor. Arts therapy is a form of Psychotherapy. I believe that approaching ourselves and others with curiosity and compassion leads to deeper understanding and growth. My intention is to create a safe space where aspects of your life and emotional experiencing can be attended to and explored gently in a supportive way using both talk therapy and a creative lens. Our time together will be confidential, respectful, and collaborative. Authentic and supportive relationship is at the heart of how clients and I work together to increase capacity to manage everyday life, notice, explore and develop deeper awareness and curiosity of the self. My practice and therapeutic style follow in the tradition of person-centred therapy which honours you as the 'expert' in your own experiences. Working through a trauma informed/responsive lens I draw from a range of therapeutic models such as solution focussed, positive psychology, Hakomi, ACT, Internal Family Systems, somatic approaches, relational and attachment theory. Generally our time together starts with traditional ‘talk’ therapy until confidence and trust are established. I invite into therapy the spoken alongside that which has no words and is felt, created, dreamed, symbolised and sometimes just too hard to articulate. I will encourage and work alongside you to find and explore ways to express yourself at your own pace. I have been working with children, adolescents, adults and families for over 30 years in primary, intermediate, high schools, special education, alternative education, residential settings, healthcare and private practise. I have also worked as an Arts Therapist/Counsellor in palliative care supporting the terminally ill, carers, bereaved and their Whānau. If are interested in reading more please look at my website. https://deborahfrenchartist.com/mamaku-arts-therapy/ I am also a registered provider with 'I am hope', ACC sensitive claims, Taranaki Primary connections, Victim Support, Aoake te Rā and Hospice Taranaki and sometimes additional funding can be sourced through these organisations.