I began my art therapy journey in the UK, gaining an MSc Art psychotherapy in 2009.

It was a wonderful way to combine an interest in working with people, and a love of art.

Art has always been an important tool for me, and I believe we are all artists in our

own way.

As a trainee art therapist I worked with children and adolescents in a family service

unit on the outskirts of Edinburgh. This was followed by a placement in Edinburgh men's

prison. I continued to work part time at the prison following graduation, and facilitated

a weekly art therapy group in Aberdeen for women who had experienced trauma and abuse. I also provided individual and group art therapy for a charity supporting young people experiencing homelessness, and for people of all ages struggling with addictions.

Back in Aoteoroa NZ, for over 5 years I co-facilitated a weekly art therapy group for a mental health and addictions programme, within my role as an addictions practitioner at Odyssey AoD services in Auckland.

 

I spent several months with Mapura studios in central Auckland in mid-2018, assisting in their wonderful therapeutic art programmes for clients of mixed abilities, and recovering stroke patients.

 

Following a move to Thames with my partner and baby daughter in October 2018, I returned to the prison environment in 2020 as a practitioner for a drug treatment programme, within the Odyssey Therapeutic Community. This has been an unforgettable experience, embedding for me an understanding of the power of intentional community and connection. I was able to trial and implement art therapy within the programme, providing an alternative modality which was well received by service users. Following disruption to the service through Covid, I have been happy to be able to facilitate virtual art therapy groups to other services within the organisation. Meanwhile having found a great creative space to work out of in Thames, I aim to provide an effective and accessible art therapy service to the Thames-Coromandel and Hauraki areas.

I am passionate about the potential of art therapy to help address psychological issues and improve the quality of life for many clients.

I am a professional member of ANZACATA, the regulating body for art therapists in NZ, Australia and Asia, with a current practicing certificate and full insurance.

I undertake regular supervision to ensure a good standard of care for my clients and am committed to continuing professional development, cultural awareness and trauma informed care in my practice.

 

Shannon Silcock - BFA Painting, MSc Art Psychotherapy (dist), AThR.