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 system. They are helpful to increase self-esteem, support coping strategies and provide a positive focus in therapy.

Where those famous ‘Guatemalan Worry Dolls’ sit and fret these dolls hold a wish and hope for the future.

There will be space to play, create and look at other doll making techniques & use of ready-made dolls/figures in this full-day workshop.

About the Trainer:

Sharon Herriot worked as an Art Psychotherapist for many years with children affected by domestic abuse and bereavement in the Nottingham area. She has run groups for CAMHS (child and adolescent mental health services) for teenagers with depression, anxiety and who are exhibiting self-harming behaviours. Sharon has worked in bereavement & chronic illness services for over 10 years including Ashgate Hospicecare in Derbyshire with patients and their families; supporting adults with a terminal illness, those who are caring for them and bereaved family members and at the Macmillan Information & Support Centre, Chesterfield offering 1:1 art therapy for patients.

She currently works for Catharsis Creative Arts Therapy, predominantly in schools for children with special educational needs, autism and who exhibit some challenging behaviours, and with some parents and teaching staff, in Derbyshire, she is Associate Clinical Supervisor for Share Psychotherapy in Sheffield & has a small private practice.

She is co-founder of The Potting Shed with her colleague and fellow Art Psychotherapist Bethan Baëz-Devine, delivering unique and creative CPD events for therapists, counsellors and mental health practitioners in Derbyshire.

For more info and to book, head over to Eventbrite