I was given my first camera around the age of 7 and have used photography as a means to exploring my connection to my surroundings ever since. Photography in some way is very often my starting point when working on a new project and is a key part of my creative process. When my husband died suddenly a few years ago, I turned to photography to help me work through the different emotions I was going through and to gradually acquaint myself with this changed world I found myself in. A year or so later I discovered that this way I had of using photography to help me understand more about myself and my relationship to the world around me, this practice had a name; Therapeutic Photography.

So what exactly is Therapeutic Photography? Put simply, it is the use of photography as a tool for self-exploration and greater self-knowledge in order to generate change and wellbeing. It is an activity you carry out on yourself, or in a guided group situation with a trained practitioner, but it is not therapy and is not therapist led. Activities include not only taking photographs but also working with images in different ways.

A related practice, and one that in recent years appears to be growing in popularity, is Mindful Photography. This practice puts its emphasis on the act of taking a photograph as a means to slowing down and really noticing and connecting with our immediate surroundings, and uses mindfulness techniques and connections with nature where possible to further enhance that. Studies have shown that this practice can help improve wellbeing and mental health.

In both cases, there is no need for any photographic knowledge other than being able to operate a camera, which can just be a mobile phone.

I offer workshops that incorporate aspects from both these practices, based on my personal experience together with my training in Art Therapy (Postgraduate in Relational Art Therapy, Metàfora Centre of Art Therapy Studies, Barcelona, 2019) and Therapeutic Photography (Specialised Course, Grisart International Photography School, Barcelona, 2016). I am also a trained facilitator in the Points Of View and Look Again methodologies, the latter of which is an evidence based methodology proven to benefit mental health and wellbeing.

For further information on workshops please contact me.