What shape waits in the seed of you
to grow and spread its branches
against a future sky?
David Whyte
Nurturing the need for self expression; inside and out
Art Psychotherapy
I offer a creative, social and therapeutic Art Psychotherapy space to groups and individuals both in a studio setting and outdoors in nature.
Art therapy is not about being good at art, it is a way to express those emotions and feelings that may be suppressed in a safe non judgemental space. It can be used to map memories, see patterns and give someone more agency in making more positive and true to you.
Ecotherapy
Working therapeutically in nature has many positive benefits for your mental health. Research has shown that spending time outdoors can decrease our levels of stress and anxiety and fosters a greater connection and re-connection to ourselves and the natural world.
EMDR
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a structured therapeutic approach developed to help people process and recover from trauma and distressing life experiences. It's recognised by WHO and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress.
EMDR works on the idea that distressing memories can become "stuck," continuing to trigger strong emotional or physical reactions long after the original event. Using bilateral stimulation (often guided eye movements, though sometimes taps or sounds) EMDR supports the brain's natural ability to process these memories, helping them become less overwhelming over time.
Forest Bathe and Guided Walks
I am a trained Forest Bathing practitioner lead group and individual walks and within the New Forest. Please use the contact section on the website to find out more.
A Little About Me
My background is as an artist, with a BA in Fine Art from the University of Ulster, alongside further training as an Art Psychotherapist, gaining a First in my MA in Art Therapy in 2010. I've worked in a variety of settings across Ireland and the UK, and I'm registered with the HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council) and the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy).
I see myself as part of nature, rather than separate from or above it. My own journey is ongoing, exploring my place within the ecosystem in a way that is respectful and reciprocal. For my own wellbeing, I've discovered the importance of being creative, mindfulness, and meditative practices, and time spent in nature. I love sharing that I have learnt with others.
I've undertaken further immersive training in Environmental Therapy with the Tariki Trust, and as a Forest Bathing Guide and practitioner with Nature and Therapy UK. I am also a fully qualified Forest School Leader, working with both children and adults in outdoor settings.
Individual Therapy
I offer sessions to individuals, both indoors and outdoors, as well as via Zoom/teams for those who prefer or need to meet remotely. Depending on what feels right for you, sessions may draw on art therapy, EMDR, or ecotherapy, or a blend of these approaches.
Sessions tend to follow a gentle, phased approach. We start by building safety, trust, and coping resources, so you feel grounded and resourced before we move into anything more difficult. Always at your pace, whether that's exploring a specific memory, a current struggle, or something more general like anxiety, low self-esteem, or grief. EMDR in particular can be helpful for experiences that feel "stuck" — not just trauma in the more obvious sense, but anything that continues to affect you more than you'd like it to.
Because I'm trained in both art therapy and EMDR, I sometimes bring creative approaches into this work, giving you additional ways to process experience beyond words alone. That said, EMDR works just as well as a stand-alone approach if that feels like a better fit for you.
Fees
My fee is £80 per hour. I offer a free initial 15-minute consultation by phone or Zoom, so we can talk through what you're looking for and whether we might be a good fit to work together.
I offer a reduced rate for those on a low income who may otherwise struggle to afford sessions, please do message me to discuss this. I am particularly open to support those in the NHS and blue light card holders.
One-Off Coaching / Mentor Sessions
Do you have a specific problem or issue you need to talk through? I offer space and time for you, a long forest walk together, and the opportunity for a different perspective.
Get in touch for more information.
Corporate Days and Training Days
I have facilitated Arts and Wellbeing programmes and corporate days; both inside and outside. Some clients I have worked with:
Bournemouth Borough Council
Compass Counselling
Dorset County Council
Hampshire County Council
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust (HIWWT)
NHS
The National Trust
The Tariki Trust
NPA (National Parks Authority)
hArt (Hampshire Art Recreation and Therapy)
Hampshire Cultural Trust
Walder Events
Forest Bathing Sessions and Guided Walks
These take place in the New Forest, please contact me for details on the next walk or to arrange a guided walk.
CONTACT
Sam Lewis
nature_based_therapy