Sarah Hutchinson

The most important element I bring as a therapist is my presence. Being in the moment with you, witnessing you fully as you are, seeing and hearing you with acceptance and without judgment. Creating a safe space of trust with agreed confidentiality. I see my role as facilitating your body to speak to you, understanding that the wisdom is there for you to access. 

My background was originally in theatre making and directing performances, inspired to convey emotional truth through stories, movement and music. Along side this I was always interested in psychology: Freud, Jung and personal development: yoga, meditation, Reiki. Around my mid-twenties I also discovered Five Rhythms dance and found this very powerful to get me nto my body and a flow state. It naturally followed that I became interested in using the arts therapeutically. I was fortunate to connect with Dr Sue Jennings, founder of the first MA training in Drama therapy in the UK and went on to train with her in her latest brainchild Neuro Dramatic Play. Essentially this fuses Art, Play, Drama and Movement therapy tools. Her principles draw on the role of these in early child development as we move through the phases of Embodiment: sound, rhythm, movement; Projection: manipulating objects externally, painting, modelling etc; and Role: story-making, empathising with the point of view of another and able to act out in role as them. NDP works with older children and adults to address unmet needs at these stages or as therapeutic tools to build awareness, resilience, support healthy attachments, explore relationships, communication and more. 

For the past three years I have worked using NDP with children aged five to twelve in outdoor nature based environments combined with bushcraft. Doing this work in nature creates a calm, holding space for young ones. I preferably work in nature where possible with clients of any age as it is so nurturing. 

Seeking to add to my therapeutic tool box and feeling called to support children and adults recovering from trauma, I sought another training and after researching settled on Somatic Experiencing. After a session with the founder of SOSI International Giselle Genillard, I was invested. The tools are tangible in their effectiveness and complement the creative therapeutic approaches I hold brilliantly.