Helen Cooper

Helen Cooper, MA
Art Psychotherapist

I studied originally at St Hilda’s College, Oxford reading Zoology.  I have since qualified in a postgraduate MA in Art Therapy from Roehampton University, London. I have a Certificate in Counselling Skills from the Westminster Pastoral Foundation and have achieved an Access Course Diploma level from the same organisation. I am a Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered art therapist and am a member of the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT).

I have ten years of experience working with the charity Victim Support where I emotionally supported victims of crime including domestic violence, sexual violence, assault, burglary and robbery. I volunteered for 4 years and supported victims of domestic violence and later I became a member of staff for 6 years employed as a manager running a team of volunteers.  This gave me invaluable experience in understanding and supporting distress, trauma and painful emotional reaction.

I wanted to be a therapist for many years and when I discovered art therapy I was inspired to go and train. It was at the suggestion of a therapist friend that set me on the path. In my own therapeutic journey I find art making to be a powerful transformative influence which leads to healing and an ability to grow and develop. Hence, I feel passionate about the benefits of art therapy for many different groups.
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I have experience delivering art therapy to children with special needs and have been employed for a number of years in a special needs school in Kingston.  I run a small dementia group in a local housing association.  I also have a small private practice which is growing. 
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Through art therapy I hope to achieve understanding and change through creativity with my clients.  Art making itself can have a calming and peaceful influence and the therapy room may in some cases be the only place such peace is felt in a client’s life.

Areas of Specialisation:
• Learning disabilities – Adults and children
• Individual private therapy
• Eldercare/older adults
• Women’s group/refuges
• Child and adolescent services
• Bereavement
​• Adult mental health