At Soearth we are holding our own Cerealia festival to celebrate our own relationship to creativity through the field of Art Psychotherapy. This 2 day event on the theme of emergence, will enable individuals to explore and reflect on the nature of their own and others creativity through the lens and approaches of Art Psychotherapy.

Soearth Projects are running a prenatal parenting course facilitated by experienced mental health practitioners in the field. This bespoke six week course will provide prospective parents an opportunity to gain important insights and tools when embarking on parenthood.

A creative and fun opportunity for children aged 8 to 12 to engage with nature and the arts. This unique camp will be packed with activities that will foster creativity, learning and healthy connections with peers and nature. The camp is run by Kimberley Morrison (Drama & Psychology Student). Two facilitators will be leading the camp (Garda vetted/child safeguarding standards in place). Activities will include painting, clay work, mask making, scarecrow making, drama and movement exercises. For more about the camp or to book contact Kim Morrison on 0857370782 or email kimberley.morrison.1542@gmail.com

This two-day workshop will explore the relationship we have to the everyday and specific objects/ memorabilia that we accumulate and surround ourselves with in our lives.

Each has a particular meaning and story for us, from the mundane to those objects that maintain and develop particular meanings, memories and connections for us.

This experiential workshop will allow participants to explore and reflect on the relationship they/ we have to such objects, to recognise their significance and their meaning for us and what we gain/can gain from them in an understanding of ourselves.

The weekend event will use a creative approach to these explorations, which will contain both individual and some group exercises. This creative approach will allow participants to each find an alternative and different way of exploring and expressing their thoughts/ feelings and understandings that may arise. The group will then be used for a wider reflection and support in relation to these discussions.

We will take advantage of the unique environment at Soearth during the weekend. The outdoors element of this weekend will be core throughout. Influences derived from Environmental Art Therapy practices will be integrated and explored.

No previous art experience is needed and all materials will be provided. This workshop is intended for professionals working therapeutically in their careers, as well as others who have an interest in the Creative Therapies. Whilst the workshop is not intended to teach art psychotherapy techniques to individuals, the rationale for this approach and the wider use of the creative arts therapies generally will be related to.

What will you gain from the experience?

• Wellbeing and Personal development.

• Introduction to processes inherent in Art Therapy/Environmental Art Therapy practices.

• Tangible experiences of the art therapy process through a variety of traditional and non-traditional creative media, fostering different ways of seeing and expressing

• Introduction to integrated eco arts based activities grounded within a self-care model.

• Enjoy a creative self-care process within a purpose built and nature based environment.

• Guidance & facilitation from two experienced Art Therapists

• Soearth Projects CPD certificate issued on completion

Course times/ cost

Saturday the 10th & Sunday 11th of June

10am – 4pm (daily)

Cost €210 (light lunch & refreshments included)

Info/Accommodation: Please contact info@soearthprojects.com or contact Heidi Morrison on 087 0605553 for additional Information /accommodation queries

Facilitators Biography:

Ed Kuczaj – Art Psychotherapist

Ed Kuczaj is former Head of Department of Arts in Health and Education at MTU Crawford College retiring in 2017. Prior to this position he worked in the NHS in the UK, as a clinician and Arts Therapy manager in the area of learning disabilities. He has published a number of articles and contributed to books in this area particularly around the area of loss and bereavement. During his time in the UK, he was a member of the British Association of Art Therapists and also Vice Chair for a number of years. Since retiring he has been involved in the Cork/ BVI Art Therapy Initiative, which worked in the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean, shortly after the occurrence of hurricane Irma in 2017, working in schools and with community groups there. He was also chair of the Irish Association of

Creative Arts Therapists in 2018 – 2020 and is still involved in the association's work. He also works as supervisor and is an advisor for the Soearth Project in Kill, Co Kildare, as well as Academic Council Chair at the Children's Therapy Centre.

Ed also engages in his own creativity through photography/ painting and sculpture and exhibits occasionally in Cork and Co Waterford where he is based.

Heidi Morrison – Art Psychotherapist

Heidi believes in fostering creativity and personal connections with nature for health and wellbeing. Her passion for creativity and nature informs the direction and vision of Soearth Projects. Heidi manages and designs programmes running in Soearth. Collaboration with other Creative Art Therapists/facilitators and community bodies iscentral the success of the business. Heidi also runs private Art Psychotherapy sessions for Adults and is experienced with a diversity of complex mental health illnesses and difficulties. She has worked in a number of Private and Public mental health settings, these include St Patrick’s University Hospital, Kildare & West Wicklow mental health HSE services and Linn Dara CAMHS. Heidi is experienced at facilitating arts based self-care groups both for business and community groups. She continues to practice as a Visual Artist and hosts group and solo shows throughout the year.

Book Here