Friday 2nd May to Sunday 4th May (Friday 7 to 9pm/Sat 10am to 5pm/ Sunday 10 to 4pm)
We are holding our annual Art Therapy Spring School to celebrate our relationship to creativity through the field of Art Psychotherapy. This three day event will enable individuals to explore and reflect on the nature of their own and others creativity through the lens and approaches of Art Therapy/Psychotherapy. Situated in the rural environment of Soearth at Kill, the three day event will allow participants to work creatively connecting metaphor, meaning and narrative in the art studios and outdoor nature areas, inclusive of woodlands and bio diverse waterways
The Spring School integrates Art Psychotherapy and Environmental Art Therapy approaches and will introduce participants to the creative process central in these practices. 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 developing their own creative process or/ and in pursuing training in Creative Arts Therapy. It therefore is suitable for those already practicing in Psychotherapy or holistic body based therapies or indeed those wishing to simply connect again with their own creativity (those from an art background or otherwise).
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. This Eco Art Psychotherapy Spring School will be a personal and shared celebration of the emergent and evolving creative process experienced in Art Psychotherapy.
The theme for this year's Spring School ‘A creative emergence, In Relationship With The Land’ engages the notion of creative rebirth and renewal and its relationship we have with our natural environment. Springtime gives us an opportunity to emerge and to ‘re birth’ again as such, to reestablish through creative approaches a connection with early parts of ‘self’ (somatic/playful & sensitive parts) of which may have been laid dormant
The experiencing of elements of nature and its explored connections with myth and folklore can foster a playful communion with ourselves and our natural environment. These workshops offer an immersive opportunity to engage with these relationships.
The workshops are playful in nature and are not skills based. No previous art experience is needed however an openness to explore a creative process is encouraged.
Please note: Friday evening can alternatively be experienced online (A zoom link will be issued a week before the event)
What will you gain from the experience?
- Introduction to processes inherent in Art Therapy/Environmental Art Therapy practices. An 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 acre green space).
- Guidance & facilitation from two Senior Art Psychotherapists
- Soearth Projects CPD certificate (11 hrs workshop hours) issued on completion
Course times/ cost
Friday 2nd May to Sunday 4th May
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Friday 7 pm - 9 pm - Introductions and discussions on Art Psychotherapy within an Irish context, what to expect during the coming days, and introduction on the given theme.
Evening Buffet and Refreshments will be provided
(For those unable to attend the Friday evening event, you can attend this as an online event. On booking, a group email will be sent a week before the event with a zoom link attached if required).
Saturday 10am – 5 pm Experiential workshops both studio based and within Soearth setting.
Home produced gourmet lunch will be provided (please notify for any dietary requirements)
Sunday 10 am - 4 pm Experiential workshops, plus closing workshop
Home produced gourmet lunch will be provided (please notify for any dietary requirements)
Cost for the course €290 *Inclusive of lunch and refreshments (each day)
Booking
Via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/eco-art-therapy-spring-school-a-creative-emergence-tickets-1289543091099?aff=oddtdtcreator
For more Info/Accommodation if required: Please contact info@soearthprojects.com or contact Heidi Morrison on 087 060 5553 for Information.
Please note: On booking, we send a welcome letter including practical details about this event a week before its commencement.
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 ArtsTherapy 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 & work. He also works as supervisor and is an advisor for the Soearth Project in Kill, Co Kildare, as well as AcademicCouncil Chair at the Children & 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 & Director/co Founder of Soearth Projects
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 at Soearth. Collaboration with other Creative Art Therapists/facilitators and community bodies are central to her vision.
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 charities and state funded mental health services. She continues to practice as a Visual Artist and hosts group and solo shows throughout the year.
