Lee Anna Simmons, Art Therapist / EMDR practitioner / Clinical Supervisor
The therapy that I offer is tailored to suit the individual or group that I am working with, often using my specialisms, which are Art Psychotherapy and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing). I provide trauma therapy in relaxed and safe environments, frequently using EMDR to address PTSD symptoms, blocks, phobias, past trauma and attachment based issues.
In sessions I include psychoeducation, sharing information about the methods I am using in the therapy, and offering practical information that can be helpful, working transparently and with respect every step of the way.
The connection between mind and body in mental health has led me to include mindfulness exercises in some therapeutic work and occasionally take clients rock climbing, experience in yoga and martial arts also inform some of the work eg. breathing techniques from tai chi chuan.
Adults, children and adolescents attend therapy with me and I also provide supervision for social workers and therapists individually and in small groups.
I am approved by BAAT (The British Association of Art Therapists) as a therapist and supervisor, by the ICO in data protection and EMDR UK & Ireland and EMDR Europe as an EMDR practitioner. I have confidentiality agreements with all clients and colleagues.
Training, qualifications & experience
Registered with the HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council), I am an accredited EMDR practitioner (for adults), with specialist Child and Adolescent training (full), attend regular EMDR psychotherapy supervision and am a member of EMDR UK & Ireland. I hold an MA in Art Psychotherapy from Goldsmiths University, London and am registered with the British Association of Art Therapists including on their list of recommended practitioners and supervisors. My clinical training and experience includes work with adults, children and adolescents: people suffering from attachments issues, trauma, addiction, self harm, victims of domestic abuse, people who hoard, the elderly and people suffering from mental health difficulties – both in the community and in health care establishments.
My employment includes charities, schools and a local authority in Greater London, where I worked across a range of organisations. My private practice is open to individuals, groups and organisations, through this I have provided therapy in schools in the UK and beyond including primary, secondary, rehabilitation, pupil referral and alternative provision, worked in a refugee camp and an addiction centre in Lebanon, provided supervision and training for volunteers, therapists and social workers in the UK and provided expert witness services. I frequently provide therapy for Victim Support and support humanitarian workers.
Trainings in Shiatsu and EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) and in Mentalization (Anna Freud Centre) additionally allow me to help people self soothe and build resources and regular trainings also support my practice; eg. counselling skills, motivational interviewing, bereavement, hoarding, dementia training, managing conflict, and attachment based trainings. Climbing instruction qualifications have allowed me to help children and adults build their confidence and concentration skills by using indoor climbing walls, which can be used in healing from trauma; often with yoga influenced warm up and cool downs.
