THERAPY

Therapist
Biographies

Alison Iveson

As a qualified Art Therapist since 2001, I am registered with HCPC (Health Care Professions Council) and a member of BAAT (British Association of Art Therapy).

Over the years, I have worked with children who have experienced trauma, loss, attachment issues, depression, abuse and other behavioural and emotional difficulties. I have also worked in primary schools, CAMHS and a children’s therapy centre. My work experience includes working in an eating disorder unit, acute psychiatric unit and a residential home for adults with Autism. I am hoping to train in EMDR soon. Through my experiences, I have developed a keen interest in working with trauma, especially in children, which is what attracted me to where I am now, Unique Care working as an Art Psychotherapist.

I have trained in the following: Art Psychotherapy and Eating Disorders, CATT (Children’s Accelerated Trauma Therapy), Art Psychotherapy and people affected with sexual abuse, bereavement and loss, Dyadic Art Psychotherapy, working with children and adults with Developmental Trauma.

At Unique Care, I have received training in Therapeutic Life Story Work and Attachment. I also deliver training alongside my colleague, Jenny, on Art Therapy and Developmental Trauma offering workshops to staff around any specific topic that is requested, re-Autism, self-harm to help support and create a therapeutic and supportive environment for the children.

Chris Taylor

I’m Chris Taylor and I teach on the Therapeutic Childcare Degree at Wrexham Glyndwr University. I’m also a freelance writer, trainer, and consultant specialising in working with children and young people with attachment difficulties with over 30 years’ experience. My interest is in the therapeutic use of the psychosocial environment to support trauma recovery. I have published two books on the practical application of attachment theory, trauma, and contemporary cognitive and social psychology, mentalizing and psychodynamic thinking to working with children and young people with complex and enduring needs.

I hold a Master of Science Degree in Psychology, a Bachelor of Science Honours open degree in social care, the Advanced Diploma in Child Development, a Postgraduate Certificate in Social Science, a Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, a Diploma in Counselling Skills, and a qualification in adult teaching.

I deliver training and provide consultancy to residential teams, schools, foster carers, adopting parents, and fostering and adoption teams in the UK and Poland, developing practice around attachment, and trauma. I have addressed international, national, and regional conferences on child mental health, self-harm, attachment, trauma, ACEs, Life Story Work, mentalizing and therapeutic environments.

Jenny Peacock

Hi, I’m Jenny Peacock, an Art Psychotherapist with a Master’s in Art Psychotherapy from Queen Margaret’s University Edinburgh. I am also a member of BAAT (British Association of Art Therapists) and a member of HCPC (Health Care Professionals Council). I have several years’ experience working with Children, young people and families in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services both community and inpatient settings. Whilst I lived in Uruguay, I worked with children and adults with learning disabilities. For the last three years, I have worked with children and young people here at Unique Care.

I am passionate about Art Therapy and its ability to help children and young people explore and express their feelings through art. I have completed training in Dyadic Art Therapy, mentalisation in art therapy and CATT (Children’s Accelerated Trauma Technique) and group work with children and adolescents.

I have a particular interest in working with groups of young people and this is something I hope to develop. I have also completed inhouse training on attachment and therapeutic life story work and I also deliver an introduction to Art Therapy training with my colleague Alison. I hope to complete EMDR training in the future, to help complement my work with young people who have experienced trauma.