Michael Cousin MA
Art Therapist,
Art Psychotherapist / EMDR
Cardiff, Caerdydd.
Services
My name is Michael Cousin and I am a qualified Art Psychotherapist living in Cardiff.
Prior to training as an Art Psychotherapist I was a contemporary artist and curator with 20 years of experience. I have both a BA (Hons) and Master’s Degree in Fine Art and a Master’s Degree in Art Psychotherapy.
I am registered and licensed by the Health and Care Professions Council to legally practice under the title Art Psychotherapist. I am a registered member of the British Association of Art Therapists and adhere to their guidelines and ethics. I also have an enhanced DBS check and specialist professional liability insurance.
The majority of my experience has been with children, young people and adults who have experienced multiple traumatic events (complex trauma) such as severe neglect, domestic or state violence, rape and sexual abuse. These clients are often struggling with the long-term impact of these experiences and may exhibit symptoms such as; increased aggression or anger, disturbed sleep, variation or loss of appetite, self-harm, suicidal thoughts or attempts, depression and anxiety, flashbacks and possible development of other psychiatric disorders. I also have experience of working with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Schizo-Affective Disorder, Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), plus clients suffering from severe anxiety, the effects of bereavement and bullying (both physical and online).
I have recently undertaken Trauma Focused CBT Training at the Anna Freud Centre in London.
MY FEES:
- Direct payment
Online Consultation
- Online consultations offered
I AM FLUENT IN:
- English
I WORK WITH:
- All ages
- Individuals
CORE SERVICES:
- Art Therapy
- Free Consultation
- Ukraine Aid
- Online Counselling / Phone Therapy
- Play Therapy
- Psychotherapy
- Psychotherapy (EMDR)
- Therapy (Adolescents)
- Therapy (Child)
- Therapy (Individual)
- Therapy (Online)
SCOPE OF PRACTICE:
- Abuse (Emotional / Physical)
- Abuse (Sexual)
- Adjusting to Change/Life Transitions
- Autism and Developmental Difficulty
- Child Stress and Trauma
- Dissociative Difficulty
- Online Counselling
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Trauma
Approach
A session of art therapy gives you the space and time to be creative in order to help you on your way to better mental health. Being creative can mean many things in art therapy; it can include the use of traditional art materials to draw, paint or sculpt, through writing and poetry or music. But it can also mean being creative through play, being creative with words, ideas, memories and dreams.
The act of creation is essentially re-defining or re-imagining what is already there to create a new perspective. When actively participated in it can be a powerful tool for healing. Some clients are understandably nervous about this, maybe thinking that they have to be ‘good at drawing’ for instance, but this isn’t the case. Using creativity in the sessions is about the act and not the result. These acts can allow the release of negative emotions, they can resurrect parts of the self that were thought lost. Sometimes they can re-connect you with who you really are and reduce the effects of what has happened to you.
I don’t direct my clients by telling them what I think they should use or do, I guide them to rediscover what they already possess within themselves. This is a healing process that allows the client to find their independence through creative methods of their own devising.
For some this has been achieved by reconnecting with old, beloved toys. For others it has been the recollection of times when they were in control, when they were empowered. It can also be the re-writing of dreams, the re-scripting of their own life stories, to see themselves in a new light. When a client finds their creative method it can help them regain control over themselves and increase their self-worth. These are valuable steps towards healing the damage caused by past traumas or improving their positive identity within an existing condition.
My role as a therapist is to hear and see you as you are now, then to guide you and support you in the discovery of who you might want to be.
“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 emotional issues which may be confusing and distressing.” The British Association of Art Therapists.
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