Welcome to our new Counselling Service Manager for our Children & Young People’s Service (CYP), Jude Crook.
Previously a volunteer with us, she’s the first qualified art therapist to join the management team and we’re really excited. We asked her a few questions…
Why did you become an Art Therapist?
I answer this question differently each and every time I get asked it, yet upon reflection all of my answers can be summed up in a word: HOPE. Hope that I could help people make positive change, hope that I could use my artistic expertise to help clients experience the healing power of creativity, and hope that I might have a job that I love. (I do!)
What sort of clients do you see?
At Wellspring I currently hold a caseload of adult clients but I have worked with people aged 5-70 in my previous settings. I particularly enjoy seeing a mix of CYP and adult clients as I find the work enriches both client groups. I find it interesting how each client group responds to the invitation to art make, although it does always depend on the individual. I enjoy the willingness of CYP clients to engage with artmaking, and how adult clients can use artmaking for the deeper reflective work of therapy.
What’s the breadth of your experience within the psychotherapy profession?
What has been particularly interesting for me is ways I have used Art Therapy beyond one to one client work. this has ranged from developing an eco-art therapy group to help clients transition away from therapy, to the delivery of CPD events focused on creative reflective practice. I have developed an interest in ‘caring for the caring professionals’ which has resulted in some workshops and group work for people working in client facing jobs. This has allowed me to meet and connect with people from social work, teaching, AHP and medical backgrounds. Being able to offer a reflective, creative and non-judgmental spaces for these professionals, and to witness the healing power of creativity in those settings has been a great privilege.
What attracted you to the post of Counselling Service Manager (CYP)?
Definitely the varied nature of the role. It seemed a wonderful opportunity to combine my management experience and my passion for mental health and art therapy. I was also drawn to the idea of getting more involved with wellspring. Having been part of the adult volunteer team since January I have loved being part of an organisation built on relationships, with our clients and also with each other. As a volunteer art therapist I felt valued, listened to and respected and I hope to continue to engender these feelings in all wellspring staff, volunteers and clients as I step into the role.
Welcome to the team Jude!
