Soearth Eco Art Psychotherapy Spring School

Venue: Soearth Projects, Kill, Co.Kildare, W91 YF6H

Dates: Saturday the 6th & Sunday the 7th April 2024

Cost: €270 *Inclusive of lunch and refreshments (each day)

CPD: 11 course hours

Info/Bookings: info@soearthprojects.com or bookings: EventBrite

Website: soearthprojects.com

Event Content:

'Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture, fertility and motherly relationships, had the power to fertilise, multiply and fructify plant and animal seed, and her laws and rites protected all activities of the agricultural cycle. She was celebrated each April at the festival of ‘Cerealia’, where games and celebrations were held in her honour and to ask for her blessing on the harvest to be’.

We are holding our own Cerealia festival to celebrate our own relationship to creativity through the field of Art Psychotherapy.

This weekend on the theme of emergence, will enable individuals to explore and reflect on the nature of their own and others creativity through the lens and approaches of Art Psychotherapy.

Situated in the rural environment of Soearth at Kill, the two day event will allow participants to work creatively connecting metaphor, meaning and narrative in the art studios as well as exploring their creative process in the outdoors in the meadows and woodlands surrounding the studios.

The Spring School integrates Art Psychotherapy and Environmental Art Therapy approaches and will introduce participants to the creative process found in Art Psychotherapy and Environmental Art Therapy. This will be facilitated through a blended practice of teaching & experiential components both individual and some group based.

The Spring School will be of interest to those interested in pursuing training in Creative Arts Therapy or in the Art Psychotherapy process itself as well as those already practicing in Psychotherapy and who wish to learn more about Art Psychotherapy or those wishing to simply connect again with their own creativity. The event will suit all levels of creativity whether it’s something you are seeking or something you are looking to develop and explore further.

Facilitated with Art Psychotherapists in the engaging environment of Soearth, this Eco Art Psychotherapy Spring School will be a personal and shared celebration of the emergent and evolving creative process experienced in Art Psychotherapy.

No previous art experience is needed and all materials will be provided.

What will you gain from the experience?

• Initial step toward potential training in area of Art Psychotherapy ( for those experienced this course offers additional insight into this specific area).

• Personal development and insight into one's own creative process, explored through a variety of traditional and non traditional/ nature sourced creative media.

• Wellbeing and Personal development enjoyed within a purpose built and nature based environment (surrounded within a private 300 acred green space).

• Guidance & facilitation from two Senior Art Psychotherapists

• Soearth Projects CPD certificate (11 hrs workshop hours) issued on completion

Please note: If you need recommended accommodation please contact Heidi on info@soearthprojects.com

Facilitators Biography:
Ed Kuczaj – Art Psychotherapist

Ed Kuczaj is former Head of Department of Arts in Health and Education at MTU Crawford College retiring in 2017. Prior to this position he worked in the NHS in the UK, as a clinician and Arts Therapy manager in the area of learning disabilities. He has published a number of articles and contributed to books in this area particularly around the area of loss and bereavement. During his time in the UK, he was a member of the British Association of Art Therapists and also Vice Chair for a number of years. Since retiring he has been involved in the Cork/ BVI Art Therapy Initiative,

which worked in the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean, shortly after the occurrence of hurricane Irma in 2017, working in schools and with community groups there. He was also chair of the Irish Association of

Creative Arts Therapists in 2018 – 2020 and is still involved in the association's work. He also works as supervisor and is an advisor for the Soearth Project in Kill, Co Kildare, as well as Academic Council Chair at the Children's Therapy Centre.

Ed also engages in his own creativity through photography/ painting and sculpture and exhibits occasionally in Cork and Co Waterford where he is based.

Heidi Morrison – Art Psychotherapist

Heidi believes in fostering creativity and personal connections with nature for health and wellbeing. Her passion for creativity and nature informs the direction and vision of Soearth Projects. Heidi manages and designs programmes running in Soearth. Collaboration with other Creative Art Therapists/facilitators and community bodies is central the success of the business. Heidi also runs private Art Psychotherapy sessions for Adults and is experienced with a diversity of complex mental health illnesses and difficulties. She has worked in a number of Private and Public mental health settings, these include St Patrick’s University Hospital, Kildare & West Wicklow mental health HSE services and Linn Dara CAMHS. Heidi is experienced at facilitating arts based self care groups both for business and community groups. She continues to practice as a Visual Artist and hosts group and solo shows throughout the year.