Workshop Garden of Feelings Exploring Personal Histories as a Self-Care

Rich in representation and symbolism, gardens are powerful metaphors frequently featured in literature and art. Often interpreted as spaces of refuge, growth and renewal, they reflect the journey of self-discovery and self-realisation. As such, the garden provides an ideal therapeutic space for pausing and engaging in reflective practice.

This free, experiential workshop offered ten early-career therapists—working with children and adolescents in schools, the NHS and community organisations—an opportunity to explore new approaches to art making using Emotional Learning Cards.

Led by Nathalie Roset, an art psychotherapist from A-Space, the session took place at Stuart Hall Library and had the following aims:

• Encourage reflection on themes relevant to participants’ own experiences
• Explore subject matter that may be introduced in work with client groups
• Include an art-making task that participants may adapt for use with children and adolescents, tailored to different ages and abilities

The morning began with a guided tour of the Stuart Hall Library and concluded with a half-hour evaluation, offering space to reflect on the experience and consider the development of future workshops.

About A-Space

A Space is a Hackney based charity which works as a local provider offering psychotherapy services to students and staff in a select number of east London schools and uses provision as a form of practice-based research.