Doll Making: A tool for clients and for personal reflection

In this workshop, Sharon Herriot Art Psychotherapist, Supervisor and Trainer will explore a little of the rich history of dolls, ritual figures and transitional objects as well as considering their use in therapy.

Using creative activities there will be an opportunity to reflect on embodiment, use of dolls to explore bodily responses to trauma, how dolls can hold powerful projections, work with body image and identity and can facilitate transformation.

We will make a ‘Wish Doll’ – a simple fabric ‘no sew’ doll containing a wish, hope or aspiration, hidden by the doll’s maker inside them. These can be made by most people, even those who don’t feel confident at making crafts, though a little dexterity is required.

They can be made with clients (adults or children) to explore hopes, dreams and needs. In the making they can reduce anxiety offering a relaxing binding action to calm the central nervous…