About Expressions of Self.

 

Expressions of Self is a creative extension of the clinical trauma work Lindsey Crockett provides within her community. She offers this as an experienced mental health practitioner, within private practice as well as within a non-for profit organisation.

 

 

Driven by the work of trauma pioneers like Dr Bessel Van der Kolk, Dr Peter Levine and Dr Pat Ogen, Lindsey acknowledges that trauma is not simply a set of cognitions that have to be readjusted. Trauma is a multifaceted, whole body experience that often can not be accessed solely through talk therapy. Lindsey believes that we can either hide behind words or not have the words to express how we're feeling after a trauma. To use additional mediums like expressive art, body centred movement, mindfulness, trauma sensitive yoga and journalling, we can access those hidden or stuck emotions. It's in feeling these emotions in their true form, that we can truly move forward. Lindsey believes, from her professional and personal experiences within this approach, that creative and expressive art can provide an additional gateway for trauma survivors to heal.

 

Pioneer of trauma informed Expressive arts is Cathy Malchiodi and she writes;

 

'For those who are unfamiliar with the term "expressive arts therapy," it is defined as the use of creative arts (music, art, movement, and other artforms) as a form of therapy (Malchiodi, 2005). The sensory-based qualities of art and expressive arts are key to helping individuals communicate traumatic memories, repair and recover.

 

The International Society for TraumaticStress Studies (ISTSS) (Foa et al, 2009) provides a comprehensive summary of the role of the creative art therapies in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The ISTSS statement underscores the growing interest the relationship between the creative arts therapies and the brain, including how the brain processes traumatic events and the possibilities for reparation through expressive arts therapies-- art, music, movement, play, and drama interventions.

 

 

Trauma-informed expressive arts therapy includes many concepts unique to the practice of expressive therapy, in brief it integrates neurodevelopmental knowledge and the sensory qualities of the arts in trauma intervention (Malchiodi, 2012). In general, this approach takes into consideration, but is not limited to, the following 1) how the mind and body respond to traumatic events; 2) recognition that symptoms are adaptive coping strategies rather than pathology; 3) emphasis on cultural sensitivity and empowerment; and 4) helping to move individuals from being not only survivors, but ultimately to becoming "thrivers" through skill building, support networks, and resilience enhancement (Malchiodi, 2011).'

 

 

What to expect

 

Within workshops, Expressions of Self will invite movement, expressive art, journalling, mindfulness and trauma sensitive yoga. A range of mediums will be avaialble for participants including paint, pastels, pencils, collage and clay. Partcipants do not need to have any artistic talent, expressive art is about expression, not technique or talent, so no previous experience required.

 

During workshops, 

 

Lindsey will be offering workshops by specific types of trauma cause. This is so that participants feel that those around them may have a shared knowing, even though each journey will be very different and individual journeys will not be shared. Lindsey aims to create a village feel with the commonality of the trauma theme, as well as a place of validation, respect, safety and healing.

 

Participants are not required to share any details about their specific trauma. It is Lindsey's role as a trauma therapist to facilitate this safely, being mindful of all participants needs. With her extensive training and experience working with trauma, Lindsey is well equipt to hold each participant's experience and also guide and support any emotions that may emerge. Lindsey is always available for individual support if required onsite or after sessions and urges anyone who feels they need ongoing support to enage in this with herself or a well trained trauma mental health professional. 

 

About Lindsey

 

Lindsey has over a decade of experience on an international level within the filed of mental health. She is a UK trained mental health nurse, EMDR trained trauma practitioner, Nurse educator, Circle of security parent educator, Trauma sensitive yoga therapist and author in the field of trauma. In addition, she has done many hours of professional development in trauma-informed expressive art therapy with an American art therapy organisation. 

 

Lindsey's private practice focuses on trauma that is the result of a traumatic birth, traumatic pregnancy and also historical trauma that has resurfaced or intensifed due to the vulnerability elements of pregnancy and new motherhood. She is the director of The Australian Birth Trauma and PTSD treatment centre and also works within organisations as a clinician and educator.

 

She also has a lived experience of traumatic birth and recovery from PTSD. She uses expressive arts as a tool for ongoing self care and enjoys hidding in her home pottery studio making porcelain jewellery and pottery. Lindsey appreciates the value of sitting in the vulnerabilty that art creates and knows first hand how liberating vulneraility can be if we accept it as strength rather than view it as a weakness.  "Falling in Love comes from a place of vulnerability so how can it be a bad thing!".