I graduated with a Masters in Art Therapy at the age of 62, finally ‘coming home to myself’. Before that, I had many roles and jobs in my life, not least of which was mother to 3 boys, the middle of which is disabled due to a genetic abnormality. It was through necessity for a learning environment for this son that I initiated and led a project to build a facility for moderately learning-disabled children in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe – a project that is still operating successfully today.
I became a secondary school science teacher at 46 graduating at the Institute of Education in London and worked for a number of years in that capacity until returning to Cape Town, where I had studied Psychology and Physiology in the 70’s at UCT. Not wanting to teach in schools, I eventually found myself as a teacher/facilitator of ASTAR® – a process-driven art modality, for a number of years, which fed seamlessly into Art Therapy.
Other interests include dance, crochet jewellery making, baking and cooking, art- and craft-making, as well as having a love for being in nature. I am naturally curious and am as much a student as teacher. I have been a Lifeline counsellor and facilitator for more than a decade.
My approach as an Art Therapist is eclectic in that it draws from a number of orientations and is based upon my belief in:
- the inherent healing ability of creativity;
- the individual’s innate ability for self-healing when well supported; and
- a commitment to providing an environment conducive to mutual respect, freedom of expression, healing and the development of effective functioning.
I work with both individuals and groups and am offering time-limited (10-16 week) group work orientated towards dealing with specific issues -: ‘healing after divorce’;
‘in remission’;
‘childhood abuse and trauma’;
‘gender-based violence’;
‘parenting a child with terminal illness’;
‘grief’ or
‘depression’ for example.
HPCSA Reg No: AT000546 (SA)
HCPC Reg No: AS16538 (UK)
Cell: 076 795 7828
Email: gillian.lourenco@gmail.com
MA Art Therapy (CIT. Cork, Ireland); PGCE (IoE, London UK);
Astar® -, TRE® (Level 1)- and EmotionAid®- Facilitator.
Certificate in Group Arts Facilitation (CIT).